Coe was instrumental in asking Queen Elizabeth II to star in '' Happy and Glorious '' a short film featuring James Bond which formed part of the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony . The director of the ceremony , Danny Boyle first pitched the idea to Coe , who loved it so much that he took it to Edward Young , Deputy Private Secretary to the Queen . A friend of Coe 's from their days of advising William Hague , Young " listened sagely , laughed , and promised to ask the Boss " . Word soon came back to Coe that she would love to take part . Coe has said that London 2012 is not only about five weeks of summer sport but about encouraging more people to take up sport at all levels of competition . Coe is the Patron of the British Dragon Boat Racing Association ( BDA )
2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Sebastian Coe