Classical pianist Myleene Klass performs a unique rendition of the Chariots of Fire theme at Heathrow Terminal 5 to welcome arriving passengers to the London 2012 Games
2012-07-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Passengers arriving into Heathrow today will be given an Olympic welcome to remember, with a live rendition of Vangelis’ ‘Chariots of Fire’ performed by classical pianist Myleene Klass.
Ms Klass will play a special arrangement of the soundtrack from the Oscar-winning film about two British sprinters competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics. More than 100,000 passengers will arrive at Heathrow today, with those coming through Terminal 5 treated to the rendition from a concert grand piano.
The acoustic set forms part of Heathrow’s commitment to give passengers a positive experience as well as a memorable start to the Games. They can also expect visits from the London 2012 mascots, traditional London Beefeaters and live music from Salvation Army Bands across the airport’s terminals – ensuring an Olympic size welcome to the capital.
Myleene Klass commented:
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be part of London’s biggest welcome for the thousands of people arriving for the London 2012 Games. It’s the first time I’ve played in an airport and I’m sure it will create a lasting memory both for me and Heathrow’s passengers as we all look forward to the start of the Games.”
Klass, who started her musical career at the age of four, is a classically trained pianist and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.
Nick Cole, Head of Olympic & Paralympic Planning at Heathrow comments:
“Heathrow is the first impression of the UK for the majority of guests arriving for the London 2012 Games and we’re delighted to have Myleene with us to help create such a special welcome. I am proud to say that so far Olympic athletes and regular passengers alike have experienced a smooth arrival into Heathrow and a warm welcome to London.”
Notes to editors
The London 2012 Games will be Britain’s biggest peacetime transport challenge. Heathrow has spent seven years preparing for the Games and has consulted with previous host airports such as Sydney, Athens, Beijing and Vancouver. BAA has independently invested around £20million as part of its preparations. Extra measures that are in place to ensure that all passengers have a smooth journey and a great welcome to the Games are:
• Volunteers. More than 1000 Heathrow volunteers, speaking more than 20 languages between them, are welcoming groups of Olympic athletes and officials from their planes.
• Olympic accreditation. London 2012 accreditation desks are operational in each terminal allowing Games family members to collect their accreditation for the Olympic Village as soon as they arrive.
• Immigration. Additional Border Force officers are staffing immigration desks for the peak arrivals period, helping to ensure that all passengers have a smooth journey. Border waiting times have been within the targets set by the Home Office, which is responsible for immigration, since new resources were put in place on 15 July.
• Baggage. Additional staff are on duty in the baggage hall to quickly reunite Olympic teams with their baggage and equipment. Athletes travel with around twice the number of bags as regular passengers (an average of nearly three items per athlete). Approximately 15% of baggage on peak days is large pieces of sporting equipment such as canoes, pole vaults, bikes and javelins and around 1,000 guns and associated ammunition are arriving with competitors.
• Onward travel. London 2012 coaches are operating from airport forecourts to transport athletes to the Olympic Village. Games accredited international media are being given free Heathrow Express tickets so they can quickly and conveniently get to central London.
Other measures will be in place for departures after the Games including check-in at the Olympic Village and a special ‘Games Terminal’ that will welcome more than 10,000 athletes on the 13, 14, and 15 August.
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