 Greece led the Entrance of the Flags , as all 204 flags filed in to the strains of " Parade of the Athletes " ( composed by Arnold ) and marched up the central cross of the union flag , with Great Britain bringing up the rear . Meanwhile , volunteer marshals wearing blue suits and blue bowler hats with light bulbs on top marched into the stadium . The athletes then walked in from the several entrances , with some filtering down through the lower stands . As the same time Elbow performed " Open Arms " and " One Day Like This " . The volunteer marshals helped to usher the athletes into pens between the ramps of the arena . As the last athletes streamed into the stadium and the flags were moved by volunteers closer to the Olympic Flame , a reprise of some of the songs from the opening section was played . 
