How 205 national anthems were recorded for London Olympics’ medal ceremonies

Getty Images

Isn't this amazing? It's an indelible part of the Olympics: Hearing the national anthem of the gold medal-winning athlete or team played as the flags are raised above the champions.

According to Olympic guidelines, the anthems have to be between 60 and 90 seconds long, so they fit snugly into the flag-raising time frame. So where do the London Olympic organizers get their hands on 205 recordings of anthems that are perfectly times and aren't just cut off at the end?

The London Philharmonic Orchestra, that's where. The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall.