VIDEO: Eyes of the world on Glasgow as Scotland hosts Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
THE Queen launched the Commonwealth Games in a blaze of colour at a stunning opening ceremony last night in Glasgow.
Glasgow produces spectacular opening ceremony
Singers Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald were among those performing but the people of Glasgow also played a starring role – with residents chosen to introduce each of the competing nations to the crowd.
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All the teams were preceded by flag bearers and Scottish Terriers wearing their names as they paraded around the stadium.
The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family
One billion television viewers worldwide watched as the Queen received her baton, the symbol of the 20th Commonwealth Games, which has been carried by tens of thousands of bearers 118,000 miles across 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth over 287 days.
Inside the baton was the Queen’s message to the Commonwealth, written during a summer stay at Balmoral.
It was brought back to Glasgow by a seaplane that touched down in the Clyde and was carried around the stadium by 32 volunteers from Scotland and then passed to Sir Chris Hoy.
The cycling champion then bounded up the steps to pass it on to Prince Imran of Malaysia, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
There was a hitch as Prince Imran struggled to open the baton before Sir Chris came to the rescue to cheers from the crowd.
The Queen threw her hands up in joy, clapped and smiled with relief. She then told the 40,000 people inside Celtic Park: “The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family.”
She then officially declared the Games open.
Torchwood star John Barrowman had got the ceremony underway, singing and dancing on the back of a truck, which seemed to travel across Scotland, highlighting iconic images and scenes including Edinburgh Castle, the Clyde shipyards and the Loch Ness Monster.
Actor James McAvoy later joined other Unicef ambassadors including Sir Chris on stage to request the billion TV viewers to unite in donating £5 each to the Children of the Commonwealth Fund by texting First to 70333 at the same time.
And three astronauts from the International Space Station joined the ceremony by video link, with commander Steve Swanson saying: “We’re thrilled to be part of such a special evening when people all over our beautiful planet are showing what us humans can do when we come together.”
Sheffield’s Nick Matthew, a multiple squash world champion, led Team England into the stadium, while rhythmic gymnast Francesca Jones carried the flag for the Welsh team.
The honour of carrying the Saltire and leading Team Scotland around the track, was handed to judo competitor Euan Burton, 35.
What followed was a vibrant show of the reds, oranges, yellows blues and greens of nations such as Swaziland, Botswana. Guyana, Montserrat and Samoa.
Scotland looks set to embrace the prospect of the first Commonwealth Games in the country for 28 years, with more than 1.1 million tickets sold so far.
First Minister Alex Salmond believes the impact of the Glasgow 2014 Games will be felt for generations to come.
He said the Games will “showcase the great strengths of modern Scotland” and serve as a catalyst for tourism, international trade and investment.
More than 4,500 sports men and women will compete in events across 17 sports until August 3.