NAMIBIA was officially welcomed to the Olympic Games when their flag raising ceremony took place on Monday evening.

Namibian Chef de Mission Ndeulipula Hamutumwa and Namibia's High Commissioner to Great Britain George Liswaniso led the small Namibian team into the international plaza in front of the Athletes' Village where they were welcomed by a representative of the International Olympic Committee.

Hamutumwa handed him a gift from Namibia, and then the Namibian flag was hoisted to the accompaniment of the Namibian national anthem.

It was a proud moment, taking place in glorious sunshine, as the national flag joined the IOC flag and those of various other countries that have already had their ceremonies.

The Namibian team included Hamutumwa, Joan Smit, Anna Wimmert, Dr Ben Viljoen, Luis Forcelledo and wrestler Sem Shilimela, as well as Dan Craven's coach Marian Clignet who arrived at the village on Monday.

Craven became the second Namibian athlete to join the team when he arrived on Monday evening. Craven has been training in Europe with his professional cycling team Sigma Sport and joined the team after completing a race in France over the weekend.

On Monday the chairman of the Local Organising Committee Lord Sebastian Coe welcomed the media to the Main Press Centre where a horde of photographers was in attendance.

"After years of practise and sacrifice, your time has now finally arrived. I extend my warmest welcome to you. We Brits are excited that you are here and that you are bringing your talents to the Olympic city. We love our sport and we hope you will have treasured moments with us," he said.

Coe elaborated about the power of sport and the role it played to promote peace, adding that 190 United Nations member countries were signatories to the Olympic Truce.

The Media Centre was named after Jon Rodda, a celebrated British sport reporter who died in 2009 at the age of 78.

The run-up to the Olympics has not been without its setbacks as several mishaps were reported.