'Opening ceremony pivotal to Olympics success'

France's sports minister could be forgiven if she is nervous before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony for it "sets the tone" for what follows, Hugh Robertson, the minister charged with delivering the 2012 London Games, told AFP.

For Robertson, whose role 12 years ago is filled by French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera this year, says his greatest concern at the London opening ceremony was keeping the "athletes' parade to time".

Paris organisers must contend with an unprecedented waterborne ceremony, leaving the confines of the main stadium for the first time in history.

"The importance of the opening ceremony is one of the reasons why Paris 2024's innovative decision to use the river Seine is so imaginative and striking," Robertson said.

The London curtainraiser featured the inspired scene of Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, teaming up, but Robertson's overriding concern was security.

"Security was and, I suspect, will always be the greatest concern," said Robertson, who in Paris will oversee his last Games as head of the British Olympic Association (BOA).

"Fortunately we have an excellent relationship with the French security forces which gives Team GB enormous confidence," he added.

Robertson, 61, admits he had butterflies in his stomach as the big day neared in London.

"It's over a decade ago but I remember a combination of confidence in our plans and anxiety about the unexpected," he said.