London 2012: Take a running jump...

The first round of the men's 3,000m steeplechase (Reuters)

A wall of sound greeted athletes as they stepped out for the first day of competition in the Olympic Stadium yesterday, spurring on competitors taking part in the first round of the men's 3,000m steeplechase.

Although the first day of the athletics competition is usually the quietest, London proved to be an exception, as the 80,000-capacity venue in Stratford was packed out with enthusiastic supporters.

The noise was so loud that when heptathlete and Team GB poster girl Jessica Ennis, one of the first Britons to race on the track, appeared it was difficult to hear the announcement of the runners' names.

"It was wonderful to arrive at the Olympic Games this morning and see a totally packed stadium for the first session of athletics," said IAAF president Lamine Diack. "I do not remember the last time this happened and it shows the great affection Britain has for our sport."