NBC Olympics Opening Ceremony 2012: Latest Buzz for Olympic Tradition

The 2012 London Olympics may be overshadowed by Dwight Howard and Major League Baseball's trade deadline in the news, but this summer's games are creating some buzz of their own.

Opening ceremonies in London are only a day away. The opening honors are the first of many tradition-based themes we will see throughout Olympic competition.

Let's take a look at some of the buzz surrounding this year's initial festivities.

David Beckham

We still don't know the exact configuration of this year's opening ceremonies. It could amount to Beijing's.

Or, it may not. We do know one thing thanks to a tweet by Sky Sports on Tuesday, July 24:

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David Beckham has revealed that he has been given a role at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. bit.ly/PdZqcG

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 24, 2012"

Beckham's presence will definitely generate a buzz. He was left off of Great Britain's roster, but that doesn't diminish the star power of this international icon. You can bet that his presence alone will have women watching who normally wouldn't.

British Royal Family

This year's Olympic games will be attended by at least 100 heads of state, but none will be on display more than Britain's own royal family at London's opening ceremony.

CTV discussed specifics regarding this special situation:

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Clarence House has announced a provisional schedule of Olympic appearances for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The three young royals are all official ambassadors for Team GB and will be showing up for official ceremonies, as well as some of the athletic competitions and victory ceremonies.

All three will attend the Opening Ceremony on July 27, along with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. 

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CTV also goes on to mention Prince William and Kate Middleton's attendance at other events throughout the Olympic schedule.

Any time important people appear at something like this it generates attention. Olympic fans won't want to miss the appearance of Britain's royalty.

Other esteemed faces will be among the throng of Olympic fans, but the British royal family takes the cake given the location of this year's games.

Isles of Wonder

I can't give you specific pictures of this year's opening ceremony until it happens, but I can tell you the theme. According to The Associated Press (per The Globe and Mail) Danny Boyle has made the ceremony' theme known.

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The ceremony’s theme is “Isles of Wonder,” inspired by William Shakespeare’s play about shipwrecked castaways, “The Tempest.” An actor is due to recite Caliban’s speech, the one that runs “Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises.” Mark Rylance, who had been due to perform the lines, pulled out after the death of his stepdaughter. Kenneth Branagh is rumored to be his replacement.

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Boyle then goes on to say in the interview that his ceremony is trying to show some of the best things from his country. He wants to "show the best of us."

Whatever he has up his sleeve certainly sounds intriguing. I guess we will have to wait and see.