London ready for Olympics - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

An extra three million people are cramming into London as the Olympic Games get underway this week. The bustling city of seven million plans to welcome them with open arms.

The main issue for the Olympic Games is likely to be traffic. We got a taste of that trying to make our way to the venues Thursday.

Still, it's worth the trouble to see the sights and sounds, including the London Eye, a huge Ferris Wheel on the Thames that brings you the view for 25 miles on a clear day. (And so far, the weather has been cooperating!)

The Tower Bridge, built in 1894, sports the Olympic rings, and is a major attraction on the Thames. Across town, high above Parliament, there's Big Ben. The 13-ton bell has been chiming every hour since 1859.

The most historical religious building in Britain is Westminster Abbey, founded in 1042. Kings and queens are buried here.

No trip to London would be complete without fish and chips. Some 11,000 "chippies" offer up this British staple, along with mushy peas!

At Buckingham Palace, guards have kept watch since 1837. With its rich history, London is the first city ever to host the Olympics three times.

Be sure to catch our live reports starting Friday on Sunrise at 5:00 am!

WTHR Olympic Zone: See blogs, slide shows and follow athletes with Indiana ties