London 2012: Cardiff at fever pitch for Olympic debut

The Long family sample the fun and sporting games which are being put on in The Hayes, Cardiff, by Sport Relief

It has been years in the planning and excitement in some quarters is at fever pitch.

Finally, the 2012 Olympic Games has kicked off in Cardiff and the host city of the first event was determined to welcome it in style.

About 40,000 fans turned up to watch Great Britain take on New Zealand in women's football at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.

Last-minute preparations were taking place around the city centre on Wednesday to make sure everything was ready for the crowds to arrive.

Some of the early birds in the city centre were making the most of what was on offer.

The Searle family travelled to Cardiff from Wells in Somerset to watch the women's football match

Children were having their pictures taken through Olympic hoardings while others were participating in sports games, including tennis, cricket and athletics, which were set up in the main shopping streets by Sport Relief, Glamorgan Cricket Club and Welsh Athletics.

Events outside London

Ken Owen from Swansea, was with his children Ffion, 10, Eleri, eight, and their friend Liam, 10.

"We've come because it's the Olympics and it's the first event," he said.

"We are looking forward to it and hopefully activities like this will spark something (with the youngsters)."

Mark Long with children Christopher, seven, and Jenny, 12, were also soaking up the atmosphere on The Hayes.

They travelled from the Wirral to watch the football.

Carolyn Long said: "It's good to have events around the country. You think everything's in London but clearly it's not.

"We came because it's the Olympics but also because it's cheaper to stay here than in London."

A steady stream of people were queuing to buy tickets for Wednesday's Olympic opener.

Among them was 71-year-old Alan Pearce from Newport who was taking his two grandchildren, who were visiting from Kent.

He said: "My granddaughter Inge plays football and my grandson does too. Having the football has helped put us on the map. It will be great."

Joining the queue of about 100 people at the 2012 ticket office at the Millennium Stadium were the Searle family, who had travelled from Wells in Somerset to watch the games.

Daughter Ruth, 15, is a footballer herself, and her father Chris said: "It's nice for the Olympics to come out of London.

"It should be spread about a little bit. We wanted to be here because we're not going to see it again. You have to make the most of it."

'Bunting and flags'

Frank Oruye, 62, from Cardiff, is also going to Wednesday's matches and called them a "great event".

Alan Pearce and his granddaughter Inge De Graaf have tickets

He said: "I'm coming here for the football this afternoon and that is priceless. I've never felt the Olympics is just London."

Quite a few New Zealand expats living in the UK are at the game.

Two who had travelled from London were Craig McCall, 27 and his partner Beth Dean, 27.

They were both impressed with the efforts Cardiff had made in getting into the Olympic spirit.

Ms Dean said: "There's lots of bunting and flags and Olympic stuff all around, more than I've seen anywhere else."

Mr McCall said: "It seems to be building as the day is going on. It started pretty quiet but we've seen quite a few people around now. We haven't seen any other Kiwis yet!"

Gareth Davies, 59, was brought up in Merthyr Tydfil but has lived in New Zealand for 30 years.

Children can have a go at different sports in some of Cardiff's main shopping streets

He is visiting Wales with wife Nalayini Davies and says he will be supporting New Zealand.

"I never thought I would see the day when I would wear an All Blacks top in Cardiff," he said.

"If it was Wales they were playing it might be different. It's always fantastic to come back especially when the weather is so nice."

But Connor Summers, 15, from Bristol, who is a big fan of women's football and covers it for Bradley Stoke community radio station, was confident Great Britain would beat New Zealand.

"It's a shame Jess Fishlock isn't in the squad though. She captains Wales," he said.

Olympics fanatic Kathy Corrigan from Devon has spent over £1,000 on tickets.

The 54-year-old is travelling around the country to watch the Games.

"I'm going to two events every day. This is simply wonderful," she added.