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Your support makes all the difference.Five big names from the world of music, film, and sports entertainment will be in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympic Games, as Oscar-winners Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry are to be joined by Hamish Hamilton, Mark Fisher, and Catherine Ugwu.
Danny Boyle is one Britain's best-known film directors, having found fame with 1996's Trainspotting. Since then, he has found big-screen success with The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and 2008's Oscar sensation Slumdog Millionaire.
Stephen Daldry has also been recognized for his directorial talents at the Oscars, nominated for The Reader, The Hours, and Billy Elliot.
Hamish Hamilton continues the Academy Awards association, having directed the 2010 ceremony in March, fresh from the Super Bowl XLIV's half-time show in February. He has helmed music videos and concert DVDs for a host of rock and pop stars (including U2, Robbie Williams, Rolling Stones) as well as annual MTV music awards from 2003 onwards.
Mark Fisher and Catherine Ogwu are both veterans of sporting extravaganzas.
Fisher, an architect by trade, was involved in the opening ceremonies for the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Like Hamilton, he also has a background in the music industry, designing stage sets for the Stones, U2, Pink Floyd and others.
Ogwu's speciality is in the production of opening and closing ceremonies, such as those at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, the 2006 Asian Games, and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Boyle will head up the Opening Ceremony as Artistic Director, while Daldry, Fisher, Hamilton and Uwgu are Executive Producers.
Speaking about the new team, the Organising Committee Chair Lord Sebastian Coe said he was 'delighted', while Mayor of London Boris Johnson called them 'some of the most imaginative people in the world'.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will open on July 27 and close on August 12, with TV broadcasting deals confirmed in 37 countries; the 2012 Summer Paralympics open and close on August 29 and September 9.
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