Apart from the displays of athletic prowess, fans from Finland and all over the world will be anticipating an unforgettable Olympic experience in London. In an interview on Yle's breakfast programme Aamu-tv British Ambassador in Helsinki Matthew Lodge said the games are a great achievement for Britain.

"It is the only city to host for the third time the modern Olympic games. So there's a huge responsibility and privilege for us in that," he noted.

Games followers around the world have been closely tracking the preparations, as well as the many disputes and discussions surrounding specific arrangements such as transportation and security.

Security will be reassuring

In particular, the deployment of surface to air missiles on rooftops has been a topic of heated debate in the run up to the games. Mr. Lodge said that the heavy security would not deter visitors from enjoying the games.

"Most of the security that is there—or much of it—people won't see and they won't notice. It will help reassure people that they can be at these venues and the spotlight of the world on them and they can know that people are looking out for them and their safety," he added.

The 50-odd Finnish athletes vying for medals in the London summer Olympics will have the support of thousands of their compatriots.

Some 7,000 tickets issued to Finnish spectators through travel agency Suomen Matkatoimisto sold out early in the summer. Track and field tickets proved to be the most popular among Olympic followers.

London is expected to welcome an estimated 11 million visitors this summer for what has been billed as one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Among them will be President Sauli Niinistö and his wife.

Yle will broadcast the opening ceremony live on channel 2 from 10.05 pm Friday evening.