Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) helps carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. © UN Photo/IOC/John Huet

After the opening ceremony, Secretary-General Ban said: "The Olympic movement and the United Nations share the same values and ideals, and are working ever closer together in the cause of peace and development. It is a true honour to represent the United Nations – and everyone who serves the United Nations – at the opening of the London 2012 Games.”

Mr. Ban, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, had arrived in London on the afternoon of Thursday, 26 July, on a flight from Sarajevo.

That evening, the Secretary-General ran with the Olympic Torch near the Houses of Parliament in central London.

The next day, before taking part in the opening of the Games, the Secretary-General joined the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, William Hague, for an event to highlight the Olympic Truce.

That evening, the Secretary-General, accompanied by Madam Ban, attended a reception hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before heading to the Olympic Stadium for the grand opening.

The Secretary-General and Madam Ban left London on the morning of Saturday, 28 July, and arrived in New York the same afternoon.

Throughout his stay in London, the Secretary-General was accompanied by his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke.

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