Opening ceremonies of the Olympics are locked in an arms race of pomp and circumstance.

WSJ: Menu

Washington (CNN) -- First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics in July, she said Tuesday.

CNN: Michelle Obama to attend Olympic Games opening

An estimated 700M people watched the 2010 World Cup final and nearly one billion viewed the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

FORBES: How Super Is the Super Bowl?

For more than three decades, the families of those killed in the attack have tried to have the Olympics honor their loved ones during the opening ceremonies.

CNN: Olympics, mark dark day in Munich

He is one of the country's biggest stars and is credited with boosting China's interest in the NBA. During his nine seasons with the Houston Rockets, his games were broadcast on national television in China, and he was selected to carry China's flag during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

WSJ: Yao Ming Takes Aim at China Wine Boom

Boeheim was in his fourth season as head coach of the Orange and on the fast track to stardom with 95 wins on his brief resume when the Hoyas came to town Feb. 13, the eve of the opening ceremonies for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

WSJ: Hoyas set for last Big East visit to Carrier Dome

Mr Birch, an Australian, helped produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

ECONOMIST: Australia

The Beijing Weather Modification Office gained fame around last year's Beijing Olympics for trying to drain clouds near the city ahead of Aug. 8 Opening Ceremonies.

WSJ: Blizzard Renews Storm Over China Making Snow