Olympic Games kick off in Cardiff today

More than 30,000 fans are descending for the game at the Millenium Stadium Credit: Luca Bruno/AP/PA

The eyes of the world will be on Cardiff's Millennium Stadium this afternoon as Great Britain's women's football team take on New Zealand in the opening game of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Games get underway in the Welsh capital two days before Friday's opening ceremony.

London 2012 is the 30th Olympiad with over two hundred nations expected to take part in 300 events over the next two weeks.

Since the announcement, seven years ago, that London had been chosen as the host nation for the 2012 Olympics preparations have been underway.

However, over recent weeks security surrounding the games has been under the spotlight after it was revelled that private security firm G4S had failed to provide the number of staff it had promised for the Games.

South Wales Police have increased the number of officers deployed in order to ensure adequate level of security during the eleven games taking place over eight days.

Thirty Welsh athletes will compete in this year's Olympics, which is the more than ever before.

Wales' medal hopes are already pinned on the likes of Dai Greene, Geraint Thomas, Tom James and Helen Jenkins.

Also, five Welsh footballers have been selected in Great Britain's men's Olympic football squad.

Wales veteran footballer Ryan Giggs will captain the side which also includes fellow country men Craig Bellamy, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey and Scott Sinclair.

Ahead of Thursdays game, against Senegal at Old Trafford, Craig Bellamy has been talking about being part of the Great Britain team.

Football fans will also have the opportunity to watch Brazil, seeded as the "all-time top Olympic performer" play Egypt in Cardiff on July 26th.

While Great Britain's men's team will complete their Group A fixtures against Uruguay on Welsh soil on August 1st.

Speaking ahead of today's curtain raiser in Cardiff former Olympic sprinter and double Commonwealth silver medalist Matt Elias explains how important a home Games is to the athletes and also the legacy these games could leave for young aspiring Welsh athletes.