THE Olympics security fiasco sparked more chaos last night as the spectacular Opening Ceremony was dramatically SLASHED.


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The 27million extravaganza was chopped by half an hour because of fears of delays at G4S checkpoints and a travel shambles.

Several scenes have been shortened in the middle of rehearsals.

And one involving daredevil flaming stunt bikes has been axed altogether. Bosses took the decision to meddle with the timetable in the wake of the astonishing failure by security firm G4S to provide enough guards which has forced the Government to call in the Army. A London 2012 source said: The show has been cut because of fears that the checkpoints couldnt cope with the huge rush in and out of the stadium.

The stunning pageant, masterminded by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle, is expected to be seen by a worldwide TV audience of ONE BILLION. Tickets to see it live cost up to 2,012. It will transform the Olympic Stadium into rolling British countryside, complete with live farmyard animals.

The source added: Its not just crowds of fans, athletes and performers G4S and our soldiers will have to cope with its dozens of live animals as well.

All will have to be checked and searched before being allowed into the secure area. Its a huge logistical challenge. Organisers hope cutting the running time down to three hours will help struggling G4S staff and troops cope with 80,000 fans, 16,000 athletes, 10,000 performers, 70 sheep, 12 horses, ten chickens, three cows, two goats, eight geese and three dogs.

Boyle and his team were worried that the show starting at 9pm on Friday week would leave the crowd and performers stranded in East London if it went on past midnight.

Performers arriving at the stadium for rehearsals have already faced delays of up to an hour to get in as security staff failed even to cope with a small number of people.

An actor playing a soldier in one of the segments said yesterday: The queues on Saturday went way back into the Westfield shopping centre. It was worse than waiting at US immigration on a bad day.

Disappointed performers have been told about the cuts and warned a scene in which costumed nurses dance around old-fashioned NHS beds may be cut completely.

The latest blow follows bungles in which athletes buses got lost on the way to the athletes village from Heathrow and huge traffic jams were caused by Olympic Lane VIP routes in the capital.

But a 2012 spokeswoman said yesterday: Its not a question of shortening the show were just trimming segments to keep them tight and concise so it all runs smoothly.

Its a perfectly normal way to proceed when managing a production of this size. Were not aware of any problems with security.

And Downing Street yesterday insisted that there had been NO road chaos to greet Olympic competitors as they arrived in London on Monday. Despite pictures of 32-mile tailbacks and widespread congestion, the Prime Ministers official spokesman insisted traffic had been flowing freely.

He added: The overall picture is a good one.


UPDATE: The MoD has said they will be calling in over 5000 troops to help with security at the Olympic games.





Meanwhile, cops guarding Olympic events were told to empty CRISPS and PIES into clear plastic bags to avoid breaching strict advertising rules, it emerged last night.

The bonkers edict was sent to officers patrolling rowing and canoeing events at Eton lakes in Berkshire. It told them not to be seen eating snacks like Walkers crisps or Ginsters pasties because they are not among the Olympic sponsors.

But bosses at Thames Valley police backed down after Games organisers told them theyd gone too far.

One local copper said: Its a victory for common sense.

- AROUND 700,000 Olympics tickets are still to be sold, organisers said yesterday.

There are 250,000 football seats and 50,000 for other events on sale now.

And 200,000 tickets for football, plus 200,000 for other sports, are due to go on sale after being returned by Olympics committees from around the world.

Cabsolute standstill

HUNDREDS of taxis halted roads around Parliament yesterday in protest at their ban from the capitals Olympic lanes.

Cabbies say the routes, for sponsors and officials only, have been totally mismanaged.


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Rank file past ... taxis jam road


ROAD markings reserving lanes for Olympic VIPs are already FADING.

They were painted across London this month and are not even in effect yet.

Among those badly worn is Park Lanes, below.


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Vanishing act ... Park Lane markings


- PERVERT Declan Crosbie, 25, faces jail after sneaking into the ladies changing rooms to spy on Chinese swimmers as they undressed for training at a Leeds sports centre.