Crowds in the Beach Volleyball arena at Horse Guards Parade perform a Mexican wave. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire

Britain’s hopes of winning a gold on the first day of the Games failed to materialise, but thousands of sports fans still enjoyed a sunny start to the Olympics.

Cyclist Mark Cavendish began the day as one of Team GB’s best hopes for a gold, as thousands of people lined the route of the men’s road race through Surrey into central London.

While the 250km route was packed with spectators, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) launched an investigation into empty seats at venues on the Olympic Park.

There were also empty seats at the Aquatics Centre, but the venue did see a few high-profile spectators, including the Queen, who also visited the Athletes’ Village, and American First Lady Michelle Obama.

The first medal of the Games was won by Chinese shooter Yi Siling in the women’s 10m air rifle.

Among the competitors on the first day of the Games were tennis players Andy Murray and Roger Federer and swimmer Michael Phelps.

Check out our picture gallery of day one of the Games on this page.