LONDON, July 16: Athletes began arriving at the Olympic Village on Monday under leaden skies and persistent drizzle to what will be their home for the next three weeks and the scene of their quest for gold.

Consistent with the British summer so far, the weather was anything but golden to welcome the competitors with brooding clouds and umbrella-busting winds keeping the international flags flapping outside one of the entrances.

However, some of the apartments have already been given a splash of national colour.

One block had a banner reading “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie; Oi, Oi, Oi” spread over several balconies.

Another had a long banner in the Belgian colours hanging down, while others were decorated with Slovenian flags.

The smell of damp fresh pine wood filled the air around many of the newly-constructed buildings.

The site's shops are already open, with a range of international newspapers and handy items such as batteries for sale.

With thousands of athletes still to arrive, the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, still doesn't feel quite like the welcoming park organisers have envisaged.

A myriad of winding, empty roads criss-cross the area, flanked by concrete barricades and metal fences.

Soldiers in combat fatigues operated the airport-style security searches at the perimeter for regular visitors.

Inside the high fences, helpers and volunteers appeared upbeat with 11 days to go until the opening ceremony on July 27.

At one of the entrances to the Olympic Village, the National Youth Theatre rehearsed their energetic routines for the official welcomes that each national squad will receive.

In the shadow of the new shopping centre built at Stratford International railway station, they rolled out red carpets with “Welcome” written in a multitude of languages including Maori and Vietnamese.

The performers were putting the finishing touches to sequences set to Queen hits including “Don't Stop Me Now”, “Bicycle Race” and “We are the Champions”.

Their routines involved golden bicycles, streamers and banners.

They rehearsed the welcomes they will perform for the representatives from Brazil, France and Italy, though the British Virgin Islands will be the first to receive the official greeting.

Organisers tried to keep the enthusiasm going despite the drizzle, with many performers wearing green and blue ponchos to keep themselves dry.

Meanwhile, Heathrow airport is set to welcome a record number of passengers on Monday as athletes have begun arriving in London.

Heathrow says athletes from 50 nations will arrive in what it is describing as Britain's biggest peacetime transport challenge. Some 236,955 passengers are expected to pass through the airport.

The previous record of 233,562 was set in July 2011.

Heathrow has enlisted some 1,000 volunteers to meet and greet athletes, officials and media.There was also an increased police presence, including sniffer dogs, along with the volunteers and the regular Heathrow staff.—Agencies