Opening Ceremony Commonwealth Games

A story of rise and fall, of reinvention and invention. The

school of hard knocks, my city. In a macro the skyline is changing one,

keeping with changing times. Glasgow is not afraid of hard work. We face

the world with grit and we are connected to the world with this

river, the Clyde. The Clyde made Glasgow but Glasgow made the Clyde.

In the age of sail, a great seaport. In the age of steam pounding

revolution. A workshop until it's thunder began to fade. Good times,

bad times, our spirit remains unbroken. United in adversity and

sometimes divided by rivalry. And yet, it still glows with pride and

warmth, and the passion, the passion for sport. He takes the gold for

Scotland! We face the outside world but now we are inviting it in. Sport

is the new shipping lane. What will the world make of Glasgow? As we

have been saying for centuries, you are most welcome, come on in.

This stirring words of Billy Connolly. Glasgow is not only the

birthplace of Billy bit 600,000 people also call it home. For the

very first time, the proud people of this famous city welcomes the

Commonwealth Games. This is the third time Scotland has hosted the

games. With Brit quietly, the other two wear down the road in Edinburgh.

Over the next 11 days, Glasgow will embrace 500,000 athletes and compete

in 17 sports. Tickets could have been sold twice over. Such was the

demand that 40,000 people are now streaming into the city's east end

and Celtic Park for the opening ceremony. We have been waiting for

this moment ever since Glasgow got the go-ahead seven years ago.

Manchester was the last city in the UK to host the Commonwealth Games.

That was a big success. From Manchester comedy London 2012 and

now onto Glasgow, welcome to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Good evening. Welcome. We are here at a very noisy Celtic Park for the

opening ceremony to the 20th Commonwealth Games. This is a prayer

lead to a week and a half of sporting excellence. Nothing has

been left to chance. Even the weather is playing ball to night. It

has been 25 degrees. On the warmest day in Scotland. It was never in

doubt. It is perfect for the athletes from 71 nations who have

been parading into Celtic Park. We will build up to the games by

speaking to some famous faces. We will pick out some of the potential

stars who could shine at these games. It is a great pleasure to be

joined by some athletes who know a thing or two about ceremonies.

Welcome to the Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington. Lovely to see you two. I

hope you can hear me! It must be genuinely proud for you as a genuine

Scott to enjoy this moment. It seems like it has been so long coming. It

has been aided to go, six months to go and now we are here. Everybody is

buzzing. For you, two years ago you were getting ready to compete and

two years ago today you were told he would be leading in Team GB at the

London opening ceremony. Rebecca, you could not go, is there a little

bit that wishes you were getting ready to racier? Definitely not! I

think we are so happy to be here. It is time for the new generation of

athletes to be here. It is about the next Chris Hoy. The two of you share

something in common. You have buildings named after you. The

Rebecca Adlington and this Chris Hoy velodrome. I have been a in one

event there. We never thought we would get an indoor velodrome in

Scotland. It is quite bizarre. I have got a toilet named after me at

Leicester Stadium! Don't get too carried away! The opening ceremony

is less than an hour away. Let's sample the atmosphere with Clare

Balding and first, Huw Edwards. There is a golden rule. When it

comes to the people who devise and organise these great ceremonies

because there is a range of possibilities here. You can do

something very special and that golden rule is not to waste any

opportunity at all. There is an opportunity this evening to say

something to the world about the great city of Glasgow, to say

something compelling and exciting. There is an opportunity to say

something about Scotland, the nation. And let's face it, it is a

very, very important year for the people of Scotland. There is an

opportunity as well to say something about the Scottish character and the

Scottish sense of humour. We must not expect an event on the scale and

the budget of London 2012. But I think we can say it will be playful,

it will be eccentric and I am very confident it will be a fantastic

start to the 20th Commonwealth Games. Let's look forward to it.

Just come backstage because this is where the volunteers are hanging

out. 90% of the people here tonight are doing it for no pay at all.

Susie and James, you will be athletes' marshals. What is it like?

It is fantastic. The friends we have made, it is absolutely amazing. It

will be a great night, it will be fantastic and I hope everybody

enjoys themselves as much as we are enjoying putting it on for Glasgow.

I love the bright colours, I could almost be one of you! How long have

you been rehearsing? About three weeks. It has been pretty intense,

trial and error, see what fits and what works. What we have got sorted

out tonight will rock Glasgow off the face of the earth! Everybody is

really excited about it. Are you nervous at all? A bit, you cannot

not be but the adrenaline buzz will get as going. We will be partying

all night. Let's be thankful for the weather because doing this in the

pouring rain would not be as much fun. Don't they look great?

Thanks, Clare. What a response from the volunteers. 50,000 stepped

forward at the start of the process. That is more than the combined total

who volunteered at the last two games. They will be performing in

the opening ceremony and their big moment is about 50 minutes away. The

start of the ceremony will also signal the closing stages of the

Queen's Baton Relay, after a journey which adds up to the equivalent of

more than four times around the world. These workshops this morning

from Kelvingrove. This is its 40th day travelling around Scotland. It

is on its way to Celtic Park after passing through thousands and

thousands of pairs of hands. The BBC's Mark Beaumont has been there

every step of the way with it. The Queens baton began its long

journey in the Indian city Delhi, the last host city and the capital

of the most populous country in the Commonwealth. From there it

travelled through the vibrant nations of south Asia. Then it

arrived in Oceana and Australia, come tree -- a country which has

staged the games four times. It then continued to the runout island

nations of the Pacific, to Tuvalu, Samoa and New Zealand. After 67 days

in the Pacific, the baton travelled thousands of miles across the globe

to Africa. Sierra Leone was the first of 18 countries it visited on

its journey through the continent, through Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania,

and then onto the island paradise of the Seychelles.

The baton ended its journey in southern Africa before embarking on

an epic trip across the Atlantic. Guyana welcomed the baton on day 186

of its worldwide journey as it continued on to the shimmering

waters of the Caribbean, visiting 16 nations and territories across the

region. Then the baton headed out to sea to North America and Canada,

where the games began back in 1930. It was then onto Europe, from the

Mediterranean to the Channel Islands. And then north to this

famous city on the Clyde, 70 nations and territories, 118,000 miles, 288

days, worth waiting for. It was you, Chris, who really got

the ball rolling. You were the baton their last year. Seeing these

pictures, how do you read how it has touched and affected people across

the Commonwealth? It is a chance for people around the world to see the

baton and feel part of the games. They can say that passed the bottom

of my street. It is not a number of them, it is one baton. Now you are

not working out so much, you can fit in proper trousers! The kilt is

great for that. Rebecca, it is a special atmosphere, being part of a

major event, isn't it? Yes, it is so special not just for the athletes,

but for everyone. I have been in the city and everyone is buzzing and

excited. The athletes want to get started. I have been messaging

everyone and they said, I am so anxious. They just wanted to start.

You have not held the baton, I understand it is quite heavy. But

you did obviously, you were part of the torch relay for the Olympics.

For me, the chief thing about the baton relay if it goes around all of

the countries, not just the one and there are so many areas, it has

passed through thousands of pairs of hands. It is a lovely concept, isn't

it? It is lovely. A lot of people cannot make the trip over here to

watch their loved ones compete. So they get to be part of it and they

get to feel they are all here in Glasgow even though they are not

physically hear! The baton is approaching following its epic

journey. And the games have also travelled a long way. Eddie Butler

charts the evolution. There is something of a name game

here. Finding a title that would sell the idea of a major sporting

competition... He has run the race of his life. And yet include the

notion of goodwill and friendship. The pound Britannic pan Anglican

contest did festival, with fishing as the core sport, that never

happened. The interim par Championships of 1911, a one-off for

the coronation of King George V. In 1930, a title was found, the British

Empire games, and the place, Hamilton in Canada. These games

would be held thereafter every four years and across the Empire. The

Second World War interrupted the routine and in the post-war years, a

name game began again, to reflect the new family of nations whose

member states were free and equal. Commonwealth was the answer, first

introduced in 1954, sharing the title with Empire for two games and

with British 46. But since 1978, they have been the Commonwealth

Games. Sometimes boycotted, sometimes a bit quirky. Varying in

speed. From Bolt to bowls. But much more often, the Commonwealth Games

have been able to promote themselves as what they were born to be. The

friendly games. A party for 71 nations, serious sport. Seriously

friendly. It is a fascinating thing, the

Commonwealth Games, how does it differ from an Olympic Games in

terms of its tone and feel? It's such a friendly atmosphere, I

absolutely love the Commonwealth Games, I was lucky enough to compete

in Delhi, it is a bigger team, a friendly atmosphere, everyone gets

on with each other. I can remember seeing the Scottish guys, going

mental, the English cheering each other on. Nice camaraderie between

everyone, back in the village environment, the athletes love that,

getting to understand other sports, not just their own. Is it more

relaxed generally, the Commonwealth Games? I know it is hugely

significant for you, winning your first individual gold, but it is

more nurturing, if you like? It can be, but it is serious competition.

Although it is friendly off the pitch or out of the pool, it is

serious competition, and for many athletes, this will be the pinnacle

of their career. To get here they have been working their whole career

for this one moment. For others, it can be a springboard. Manchester was

my first individual title, it gave me the confidence, and within eight

weeks I had won the World Championships, so a significant

moment in my career. So valuable, going forward onto other. The the

extra media attention, being in the village, it is an entirely different

challenge to a standard World Championships. Magic moments for you

as well, Rebecca, recall what it meant to you. Delhi was incredible,

I never expected to go away with four medals, two of them being gold.

With the four-year cycle of the Olympic Games and the Commonwealths

in the middle, it is a confidence boost. It was for me after Beijing,

I was like, oh, God, will I ever be that good again?! It is a great step

towards Rio for these guys. An awful lot of pressure on the home team,

Scotland, and in particular Michael Jamieson tomorrow, the poster boy

for the Scottish team. You know what it is like, the pressure of the home

games. What will he be experiencing this evening? I am sure he is a bag

of nerves, but if anyone can handle it, Michael is a born racer, he

loves competition. These guys are all putting pressure on themselves,

they all want to do well. He will be disappointed if he comes out of the

pool not having achieved what he wanted to, but no one else will be.

I know you have been involved with the team, passing on your

experience. I met Michael Jamieson's family half an hour ago,

and they are more nervous than he will be. All you try to do is focus

on what is within your control, not worrying about the what ifs,

thinking about the television and the crowds, you block that all out

and focus on the process. I met the Scottish team in Stirling two weeks

ago, and that what is the message I was trying to get across. It is

about performing to the best of their ability, soaking up the

atmosphere, enjoying it, doing their best. This is the one time that the

constituent parts of Team GB go their different

are the rivalries? Oh, I loved it! I love that side of things, it is

amazing, love that side of things, it is

am sure we will get it, but it love that side of things, it is

amazing when you get Welsh, Scottish and Irish all on the podium, it is

just such a special moment, kicking the Aussies out! Never easy! You

both obviously are intent on watching your own sports, but

outside of that, what are you looking forward to? I am looking

forward to the weightlifting, because alongside sprinting, we did

a lot of weightlifting - nothing like these guys, but you appreciate

a guy who weighs 59 kilos lifting way more than you can as a 90

kilograms bloke. It way more than you can as a 90

appreciation of what they are doing, a fantastic sport to watch live. I

am looking forward to getting to know some of the younger athletes,

just making a name for know some of the younger athletes,

their first competition. It will be them guys that are on the podium for

real, looking forward to meeting them. Different ways of making your

way around, quite interesting, them. Different ways of making your

coming to a city like Glasgow, different forms of transport. Quite

interesting cyclist we saw earlier today, the team from Sri Lanka. This

is the main road south, today, the team from Sri Lanka. This

Chris! Not ideal, but there is a Chris! Not ideal, but there is a

hard shoulder! I hope the person who tweeted that was not driving! That

they are, going down the road. tweeted that was not driving! That

people finding their way around. If you want to find a decent route, why

not? I wouldn't recommend it! Don't try that at home! Thank you both

very much indeed. Enjoy the ceremony. Chris, I think we might be

seeing slightly more of you this evening. I would hope so! Rebecca

and Chris will be playing a big part in our coverage of the games over

the next 11 days, giving as their insight as we watched 261 gold

medals being claimed. Who will win them? Hard to say, but a few names

will certainly be in the mix. Yes, lots of Commonwealth champions

in waiting, but these Games have already made stars of so many had

lead over the years, for all of the home nations, and Clare has found

three of the very best. Yes, track-side, I should say in the

middle of the stadium as we wait for the Opening Ceremony, Kelly Holmes,

Barry McGuigan and David Wilkie, and for all of you the Commonwealth

Games was the bedrock of your career, when you first may be

massive impact. For you, David, it was Edinburgh. I trained there in my

hometown when I was a young 16-year-old, sitting in front of the

home crowd, 2000 people. I was a young 16, immature swimmer, and I

did not know it was all about, but the atmosphere was electric, I got a

bronze medal. It kicked off my career. You won two golds. Two golds

and silver in Christchurch four years later. That is what you want

to do at a games like that. The silver was a disappointment, the

bronze was a start, but the gold is great, there will be a lot of

swimmers going for gold. Many would argue that you were the first

superstar swimmer from these shores, and Barry, in boxing, a big

deal to go to the Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland. It was a big

deal, and for many boxers, the CGI more important than the European

Championships, more important than World Championships, slightly more

competitive, but great exposure, two weeks on television, an amazing

opportunity. It was the bedrock of my career, fantastic start to my

career, the great Harry Carpenter, dating on it. Kelly, not just the

start of your career, but in Manchester, giving you the

confidence to do what you did in Athens. I was 24 and in the army

when I went to my first Commonwealth Games, and it was a stepping stone

to the Olympic Games two years later. BCG is like that, a point to

go onto the next change. In Manchester, home games, massive

event, brilliant atmosphere. It cemented my position to want to then

carry on for the next two years to the Olympic Games when I picked up

gold. And you are not just a game but a president here. I am! We have

a team of 420 for England, 12 Olympic champions, some really great

talent, Bradley Wiggins, Nicola Adams. I could keep going. We have

got a 13-year-old diver, the youngest in our team, Victoria, and

she is really looking forward to it. Great experience! All eyes in

Scotland will be on Michael Jamieson tomorrow night in the pool, in the

same event you excel that. And if he does break the world record, which

he has said is his intent, the first one to break the record from

Scotland since you. We don't break many world records in Scotland.

Michael has pressure on him, home crowd, home pool - he must be ready

to do it, he will never have a better opportunity. Everything has

been set up perfectly, silver in the Olympic Games in 2012, he has come

here, trained very hard for it. A couple of good competitors, the

Australians and another Scot in that race, so everything is perfect for

him. He has only got to improve half a second to go under two minutes

seven seconds, and he will be the world record holder plus

Commonwealth gold winner. I will certainly be there. We will see you

tomorrow at the swimming centre. Great to have you here supporting.

Great to see them, yes, David won his first medal in the Commonwealth

Games in 1970 before becoming Olympic champion six years later,

really a breeding ground of champions. You can hear the party

has started in the East End, but that is not only because there are

three live zones around Glasgow, in Kelvingrove park, the Merchant City

and by the River Clyde, they have got huge screens, headline music and

comedy. What a night this is, and Lee McKenzie is right in the thick

of it on the Green. Yes, I am, Hazel, and absolutely

glorious night here at Glasgow Green, barely a cloud in the sky.

They opened the gates at four o'clock, and you can see thousands

of people have been flocking in since then, and they still are, in

fact. If they should have been at work, they have not been, they have

been working on a tan! If they were disappointed not to be at the

Opening Ceremony, you cannot be lit - there is a wonderful atmosphere

here, and they will be watching on the big screens just over my

shoulder. We have had bands not only from Scotland but all over the

Commonwealth. Behind me is the lovely and very loud Lulu. The sun

is quite high, but just starting to set over the cities guy lying on the

west coast of Scotland. -- this city skyline. As long as we have this

entertainment, it could be a very long night on Glasgow Green, let's

leave you with some of Lulu. Lots going on down there, and when

it comes to watching these games, you won't miss a thing. Depending on

your TV service provider, we have up to six red button screens available,

and every sport will be available online as it happens. If you are out

and about, it is also available on your phone. It is the first time

this great city has hosted the Commonwealth Games, but as we have

already told you, Scotland has hosted the games twice before, on

both occasions in Edinburgh. The first time was a huge success in

1970, the friendly games tag was born, the first games to go metric,

the first with photo finish technology, and the first time pubs

were allowed to stay open after ten! That was important! In 1986, it was

steeped in controversy as 32 out of 59 eligible countries staged a

boycott. Despite that, there were many success stories, as Andrew

Cotter tells us, the most famous was home-grown.

Scotland's last games, the times when political muscle strained

against sport. Figures of real power locked in their own competition,

steadfast in their ties to an apartheid regime. Britain felt the

first reprisals from black members of the Commonwealth. Dedicated, and

yielding. In politics they brought only pressured to tear the

Commonwealth family apart. African nations branded boycott as their

weapons but the lady was not for turning. Many many Africans are

earning their living decently and looking after their families. It was

the athletes who paid. Zola Budd, she and Yvette Cowley were cleared

to compete but then denied. Neither competitor is eligible... Almost

half the Commonwealth chose not to come to the mother Isles. 32 nations

absent. Fewer teams meant less interest, less money. Finances were

strained and the boycott was cutting deep. But then a saviour blew in.

The newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell. ?2 million of wealth from

this man of bombastic Maxwell. ?2 million of wealth from

are not Mrs Thatcher's games, the Edinburgh, Scotland and Commonwealth

Games. In the end, he delivered just a fraction of the promised some but

the games went ahead. And when left to their stage, the athletes took

the power from the politicians. On the track, Britain, Scotland had a

new star. Liz Lynch takes the gold for Scotland and smashes the British

record. A champion with a simple joy of competing, denied to so

record. A champion with a simple joy 1986. So now, when the family joined

in Scotland again, remember when the athletes of the Commonwealth ran and

swam and through and jumped through the heart of the storm.

Can it really be 28 years since the Edinburgh games that first

introduced us to list the cold and Nuttall, or we lose Lynch as she was

then? At that point, Allan Wells was Scotland's most successful

Commonwealth Games athlete. It is tremendous to see the two of you.

Lewis, there were several problems, how big a memory was for you? I was

an unknown athlete. I went into these big games and I ended up

winning it and I was not the favourite and I

winning it and I was not the and better things. It was a great

stepping stone but nothing like the atmosphere

stepping stone but nothing like the you're not missing anything, the

stepping stone but nothing like the is the warm up. Alan, you had four

gold medals, so meaningful for your career? The Commonwealth Games has

always been looked upon as the Friendly Games but how friendly can

you get when you are running against other gold medallists? People talk

about it being a platform but it is part and parts -- part and parcel of

athletics. It is the only time the home Nations athlete can run for

each country. There is a bit more passion behind that. It was

fantastic. I was very proud to passion behind that. It was

and win the medals was unbelievable. We have got to mention Northern

Ireland and the Isle of Man and Jersey and Guernsey as well, that is

Ireland and the Isle of Man and what makes it so fascinating. You

have come back here, you are coach and arm and a leash, your daughter

will be running this time -- Eilish your daughter. As a coach, you want

the rest of your -- you want the best for your athlete. And also as a

mother. She has had a difficult year but I am really thankful that she is

in one piece and she's on that start line. I will be the proudest person

on Wednesday. I'm sure you will. Your first

Commonwealth Games experience I believe was raking the long jump pit

in 1970 as a volunteer? I was watching Lynn Davies jump. He

inspired me. To me, he was the ideal athlete. He had a good physique, he

was clean cut and he trained hard and he was winning medals, Olympic

medals as well. I know it would be daft to ask what your most special

moment would be in terms of these games going forward, it must be

watching Eilish, but what are you most looking forward to? I am really

looking forward to a group of athletes who when I was chair of

Scottish Athletic, were involved in the youth development scheme. I am

really looking forward to seeing them go to the Commonwealth Games. I

am really excited. Very significant also for Glasgow games is the large

programme of Para sport. There will be 22 medal events for Para

athletes. For the first time there will be track cycling. I'm sure one

of our greatest Paralympians is delighted about that. Clare has

caught up with her. delighted about that. Clare has

Yes, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is here with me. It is incredible, 20

countries have sent athletes which is an amazing step up, in terms of

the platform it is. There are a lot of athletes competing here who will

get no coverage at home but the Commonwealth Games gives them that.

Glasgow has been amazing. Where we need to keep working is getting more

countries sending athletes and that means having programmes and

education. We need to keep working is getting more countries sending

athletes and that means having programmes and education. We're not

quite there yet across the whole Commonwealth. It was interesting

talking to David Wilkie, Barry McGuigan and Kelly Holmes, that it

for wheelchair racers, cyclists or anyone involved in Para sport, this

is huge, it is one of the biggest things they will ever competing

is huge, it is one of the biggest it is the most important alongside

the Paralympics. It is the first time a lot of athletes will have

been treated like athletes. London was a huge step forward. For a lot

of these guys, they will be treated quite tokenistic Lee, not like real

athletes. They will still be asked stupid questions like, do you train?

They will be able to come here and show their athletic ability. It is

great and hugely inspiring for anybody who wants to take part in

sport. And in terms of the design of the venues and the transport,

everything else is crucial? What Glasgow has done is amazing. They

have thought about access for tourists. They have used it as an

opportunity to make Glasgow city centre wheelchair access the Bull.

It is not their role to do that but that legacy is something that will

live on in the Common Wealth games. You are looking forward to it? It

will be amazing. We will see you over the next 11 days.

I remember meeting Tanni Grey-Thompson many years ago when

Paralympic sports were just demonstration events. Now they are

fully integrated which is a great step forward. This city's motto is

let Glasgow flourish. We hope it will in front of a worldwide

television audience of 1.5 billion people. But in truth, Glasgow has

been flourishing for nearly 1500 years. This city has a very proud

history and who better to give you the guided tour than one of

Glasgow's best loved sons? The Big Yin himself, it is believed. -- it

is Billy Connolly. I am a Glaswegian. I'm very proud of

Glasgow. My connection with the city starts with being born in the city.

I was born in a tenement building. I was brought up in Partick. I went to

school in Govan and I served my apprenticeship next door to govern,

down the road a wee bit. That accounted for 20 something years of

my life. I have always felt part of the city, the actual beating heart

of the city. It is absolutely nothing like when I was growing up.

When I was growing up, Glasgow was in black and white. That was in the

40s and 50s. It did not get colour until the 60s. I always loved the

Clyde. I loved the noises of the Clyde and the smell of the Clyde.

Ships going up and down always pleased me. When I worked in the

shipyard, the guys were very profane but they were very funny men and

women. I have come from this background and it has made me a good

comedian. I have finished my first novel. It

has taken me a long time to read a book, but there you go!

I never thought I would see the docs disappear and the shipyards

disappear as they did. But they did. And I think it is for the better.

The modern Glasgow has a Science Museum and huge concert halls. The

concert halls where I played were City Hall and stuff like that. Now

you have these huge arenas. I am looking forward to the Commonwealth

Games. I have never known such a thing to come to Glasgow. It is so

huge. I think Glasgow will respond to it very well. They are great in

Pewsey asps for any sport. They are great enthusiasts or anything. A guy

will be walking towards the end he will say, where is Central Station

and he will say, I am going there myself and no doubt he will take

you. You will go for a pint on the way there. The people make me very,

very welcome. I have gone beyond famous to a relative of theirs.

Everybody thinks I am their cousin. I have not been very well recently.

I was doing a programme about the family heritage and a guy came along

in the middle of the interview and hugged me. He said, I hope you get

better soon, and he walked away. I was so proud to be a Glaswegian. To

me, that is my Glasgow. The warmth and the heartbeat, you know?

We are sitting in the Dalmarnock area. We should thank the people of

Dalmarnock for their patience while all of this has been going on. They

have been troopers throughout the whole process. Allan, there has been

huge investment, what you think it will achieve for the city? There has

been huge investment. The Emirates and this side of Glasgow has been

developed like in London 2012. It can only help. It is an opportunity

for businesses and it is an opportunity for Glasgow to utilise

the facilities, for a start. It will give the youngsters, hopefully, the

inspiration to come out and maybe do what Edinburgh did for me. There is

a lot more than that but as I say, it is an opportunity for Glasgow to

take it much, much it is an opportunity for Glasgow to

to Glasgow now to do that. Also Liz, do you think the

investment will pay dividends? I think so. It is a Glasgow reborn,

not the Glasgow of the old. When they get the investment, it has

shown in all our athletes now that we are a different social athlete

now. Our athletes are planning on winning and winning gold medals, not

just participating and being a number, they are really up for this.

All the investments and everything they have seen about has changed

everybody's mindset and thoughts. We'll want Glasgow now to go ahead

and be successful. The children can participate in the velodrome and

other things. It is great positive. 33 medals in 86, can be beat it this

time around? I think they will. I have no doubt about that. We have so

many really good opportunities ahead in the next ten days. Clearly, your

focus will be on Hampden Park, you will hear the roar but not for

football, this time for athletics. They have an incredible things like

raising the floor by two metres. You had a look at it at the Diamond

League, what did you make of it? The first thing that struck me was it

was running very fast. It is a fast track. It is absolutely fantastic.

If they can convince them to stay there, to keep the track, that would

be brilliant but obviously, that will not happen. For what has

happened here and for this next 11 days, it will be phenomenal. It is

intuitive. It is a unique situation and it is very clever. It has saved

a lot of money. My friend Des Clarke is doing a brilliant job of whipping

up everyone into a frenzy even though we can't hear each other!

Thanks very much for joining us, great to see you. Let's hope

Scotland does every well, every Games needs their host nation did it

well, I am sure they will. We will say goodbye to you, Hazel, you are

commentating on the Opening Ceremony, a proud moment for you.

Like Alan and Liz, I am really excited, I have had a sneak preview,

and I like it! I wish you well. In the meantime, let's remind ourselves

of more of the stars competing here at the Commonwealth Games.

Well, we have marked your card on some of the star names competing. As

for the ceremony, Clare is with someone who will be performing for

us later. Plenty about this Opening Ceremony

is very secretive, but two performers were announced well in

advance, and Susan Boyle is with me now, when did you know? Only about a

couple of years ago when it was all being planned, I was not allowed to

say too much too soon! What was your reaction when you are asked to

perform at the Opening Ceremony? I was gobsmacked, honoured, very

excited to be here. This is home territory for you. It is, and I am

proud to be Scottish, especially on occasion like this. I took the baton

to a local hospital, we had a lot of fun, and a lot of laps. You are

bringing the Commonwealth to them. That was a children's hospital,

presumably their reaction to you is great as well. Fantastic, the

atmosphere was great, they were really fantastic. In terms of the

night, you cannot tell us what you are singing, but how are you feeling

about it? A bit nervous, because it is in front of the Queen, but I am

very honoured to be here. How do you make sure it is as good as you want

it to be? I do plenty practice, plenty of rehearsals. I hope to do

it justice. Thanks so much for talking to us, good luck.

These are the scenes lifelong see inside Celtic Park, the preparations

are almost complete. Thousands of athletes from 71 nations will

shortly walk into this famous stadium with victory in their mind,

no doubt inspired by great champions of gone by.

The so-called miracle mile, Bannister wins by about four yards.

Jim Peters was 15 minutes ahead of any competition. Australia for the

gold-medal! Mary Peters of Northern Ireland collect her second gold

medal. The gold goes to Jeffrey cakes. The world record has been

taken apart! Four gold medals in four successive

Games, a remarkable achievement! McGuigan has got it. Two men sharing

the gold-medal! . Ian Thorpe, 15 years old, absolutely streaking away

from the field! This is the gold-medal that she wanted, and

absolutely scintillating run by Paula Radcliffe! The gold-medal goes

to go Mark Cavendish from the Isle of Man! He is going to fight for

this gold medal, he has done it! Tens right across the board! Tom

Daley does it again! And the athletes are approaching the

stadium, ready for the ceremony. They are dressed in various

colours, from different nations, from all over the Commonwealth, 71

countries and territories in all, all looking forward to what will

hopefully be a spectacular and enjoyable Opening Ceremony. I'm

joined by two heavyweights with 13 Commonwealth Games gold medals

between them, Daley Thompson and Ian Thorpe, welcome. You are the only

person that held the titles of world, Olympic, European and

Commonwealth champion, which is quite something, how do they

compare? Obviously, in athletics, the Olympics is the pinnacle of your

sport, the World Championships is a little bit below it, but the

Commonwealth Games is right underneath it. You won medals at

three Commonwealth Games. Yeah, I was a bit lucky! You weren't lucky,

mate. The Commonwealth Games was fantastic, because it is a great

place to learn your trade and see what it is like to be at a major

championship. And things changed for you, 15 in Kuala Lumpur. That's

right, 15. I won a few there! You know, I came off the World

Championships going into the CJ, so it would have been a better stepping

stone the other way around, I think. -- the Commonwealth Games. It was

like a common down! We shouldn't say that. There you are as a youngster,

you look very young there. Why are swimmers so good so young compared

with other sports? It is not all of them. There is a tendency for... You

know, the women are a bit younger. This is known as the friendly games,

which is not a concept that Australians really grasped with

sport, is it? I think we do! We are friendly when we are winning! A

hugely competitive nation, I saw the Sydney Morning Herald, it said that

Australia is the USA Sydney Morning Herald, it said that

Commonwealth, so dominant, they have topped every medal leaderboard since

1986. Why do you think that is? I think part of it is cultural, the

impact that sport has had in Australia for a very long period of

time. Now, as we come into this Commonwealth Games, a lot of funding

is tied to it for a lot of our top sport, so that will have an impact

on as having the best team, so we can continue winning as

on as having the best team, so we as we do. We will expect about 60%

of the medals in the pool, we expect to be at the top of the leaderboard

at the end of the Commonwealth Games, but we may be hurt a

at the end of the Commonwealth the track and in cycling.

at the end of the Commonwealth so smooth at the Olympic Games. I

hoped you would bring that so smooth at the Olympic Games. I

man! You will be expecting a great effort and better performance. Not a

greater effort, but it will be a better performance. For us, this was

an average result, it appeared to be bad. Compared to our previous three

Olympic Games, it was a bad result. If you look back, it was about

normal for us. What about England? Can you see them performing well?

For us, it is almost a home games, and we have just come off

For us, it is almost a home games, of the Olympic Games, and yeah, all

the home countries are of the Olympic Games, and yeah, all

fantastic. We have all brought our best teams, and we expect our

biggest medal hauls. What was it like for you,

biggest medal hauls. What was it Edinburgh in 1986? Friendly?

biggest medal hauls. What was it they were very friendly, my mum is

Scottish, and they tried to claim the! It was brilliant. You refused

to carry the flag, didn't you, in 1982, because you

to carry the flag, didn't you, in 1982, because thought it

to carry the flag, didn't you, in distraction? I don't know about

Ian, but the bits you see about the ceremony, you are normally out there

for two or three hours, then two or three inside, and it is such a long

day. If you are competing a day or two later, it is not conducive to a

good performance. But you did carry the baton over the border. That was

really good fun, so many people out at 6:30 in the morning, I crossed

the River tweet from England into Scotland. Great moment. Right, let's

pick out a few star names that we can expect to see. Chad le Clos from

South Africa, he is the one to really enjoy this week, the biggest

international name that we have here, arguably the best swimmer in

the world at the moment. Probably also Jamieson up against Springer,

that should be good. How will it go? A lot of Scottish people around

here! It will be close! Very close! I am looking forward to hearing the

crowd roared Hannah Miley in the swimming pool tomorrow, and I am

looking forward to seeing some of the squash, because we have got the

men's and women's world champions competing, that will be fantastic.

And my favourite thing in Delhi was the women's netball. That is the

great thing about the Commonwealth Games, you get some money sport that

ordinarily we wouldn't see, you can cheer them on. -- you get so many

sports. People will say it is not the Olympics, but it is not supposed

to be. The Commonwealth Games have got their own flavour, it is the

best place to be right now. Mo Farah in athletics, there is a comparison

between you and him, the greatest possible English athlete of all

time. No, I am looking forward to seeing Mo, but I'm also looking

forward to seeing David Rudisha. Elsewhere for you, other sports?

Watching everything, whether it be Badminton to what not, this is the

Commonwealth Games. Thank you very much, look forward to catching up

with you during the Games, the waiting is almost over. The 2014

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was about to begin. Is about to begin.

The scene is set. If you've just joined us, welcome to the 2014

Commonwealth Games. Time to enjoy Glasgow's Opening Ceremony in the

company of Hazel Irvine and Huw Edwards.

Thank you very much, Hazel and I very much looking forward to what is

going to be a terrific ceremony. There will be a sense of humour and

a serious purpose, so let's enjoy it. The countdown started, of

course, seven years ago. We are in the final minute, all set for the

great city of Glasgow to welcome the world to Scotland for the 20th

Commonwealth Games. The creative director has a real track record for

big events, he has led creative teams at opening ceremonies in

Melbourne, Manchester, Athens, but he says this ceremony will be more

personal, just what you would expect from one of the friendliest and most

hospitable cities in the world. We are going to meet the real people of

the city, proud, generous, full of humour and warmth, Andy Williams are

authentic voices. Unusually, the really big countdown will start at

14, and of course the clue is in the date. These are the Commonwealth

Games of 2014. Stand-by for a countdown with a bit a difference.

Hello, everyone! Sorry to interrupt. Here we are at the start of the 20th

Commonwealth Games at last, and right now thousands of world-class

athletes are here in Glasgow. Over the next 11 days, they will be doing

their best to come first, but do you know what? Tonight they are asking

all of us watching together to take a moment to think about the children

in our Commonwealth usually come last. Last to get health care, last

to get an education, last just to get a fair chance in life. So

Glasgow 2014 has teamed up with Unicef, people dedicated to putting

children first. And now we like to team up with you, because the big

idea is that for a single moments during our show, hundreds of

millions of us come together to do something extraordinary, to make a

positive difference to thousands of young lives across the Commonwealth.

All you need to do is keep watching and enjoy the party, and when the

time comes, we'll tell you what we like you to do. But right now, and

with no interruptions this time, I'm really proud to date, welcome to

Scotland, welcome to Glasgow, welcome to the Opening Ceremony of

the 2014 Commonwealth Games! people of Glasgow. There is an

interactive international appeal to raise money for the children of the

Commonwealth. MUSIC: "The Mother We Share"

by CHVRCHES And say hello to Karen Dunbar, one

of Scotland's best loved comedians. # The bit where we list all

the things we have done # All the reasons

it's great to be Scottish # Cos the list of the things

we've to mention's the same # As the list of the things

that we've not # If it's all the same to you,

if it's all the same to you # Is just tick them all off

one by one # We're a land of inventors

and poets and dreamers # We're enlightened,

creative and fun # We'll spend as much time

in each place # Hello to you and welcome

to the Kingdom of the Scots # This is the capital,

Edinburgh's where # We march around castles

with drums # There's fabulous scenery,

breathtaking views # There's culture and history,

tartan and ghosts # There's a palace, a parliament,

beautiful streets # You'll know his words

like Auld Lang Syne # Where couples cross to wed

cos back home they had to be older # And oh, the Clyde,

the wonderful Clyde # The name of it thrills me

and fills me with pride # From Glasgow to Greenock

with towns on each side # The hammer's ding-dong

is the song of the Clyde # We made ships,

such wonderful ships # With Clydebank and Govan

on everyone's lips # At Scotstoun and Finnieston

and Kelvin Hall # We built and we fitted

and painted it all # We riveted, welded

and hammered and sawed # While the rest of the world

looked on overawed # The mountains and glens

stretch before ye # Ah, the bonny, bonny banks

of Loch Lomond # Where men wear skirts

and woman blether # Don't leave home

without an umbrella # Be prepared for some

Scottish weather # Though they say

you were an elephant swimming # Nessie, I know that

the stories are true # Nessie, Nessie, Nessie,

Nessie, Nessie # Here we're in the Western Isles,

Skye, Arran, Uist and Jura # The standing stones of Calenish,

Muck, Lewis, Mull and Barra # As cloning allows,

as cloning allows # John O'Groats,

the most northerly point # You can stand on our land

without sinking # Swim for a while,

you'll come to some isles # Called the Orkneys and Shetlands

I'm thinking # And here's the land of whisky,

uisge beatha, water of life # Highlands, Islands, Speyside,

and Fife # St Andrew's our patron,

the saint of our land # With a tee and a cart

and an iron in his hand # Golf's a game that you play

with a ball and a club # And the point is to finish

and go to the pub # Nearly out of time,

let's take it to the bridge # We invented postage stamps

and the Bank of England # The telegraph, the telephone,

the television too # The US Navy, logarithms,

marmalade and Neptune # The flushing toilet, fax machine

and tarmac to name a few # We invented anaesthetic, radar,

flasks and fridges # Halloween and paraffin

and Bakelite as well # Whisky, economics, hypnotising,

iron bridges # Horsepower, fountain pens,

and the Kelvin scale # Ok, we didn't invent the wheel

but tyres that go around it # We weren't the first to harness

steam but first to get it right # From imitating parrots

to inventive innovators # It's global common knowledge

that a Scottish mind is bright # So that was the list

of things you knew # About Scotland,

the place we just led you through # We couldn't fit in

all that we wanted to # We ran out of time, sorry,

skipped out a few # It's a land of invention

and culture, that's true # Is that Scotland's full

of people just like you Thank you to Karen and John. John

Barrowman was born in Scotland and then moved to Illinois. It was a

jumble of Scottish symbols. It was a speed date which certainly broke the

ice, Huw. Welcome to Glasgow! You cannot ask for a more confident

start. Really energetic. Plenty of pride as well in what Glasgow is

saying to the world. Hello, everybody! Hello, everybody!

It is really nice to see you. This is our home and you are all very

welcome. We have been expecting you, you know. Isn't that right, Glasgow?

That is a few thousand friends watching the show live down the

road. And the Queen's baton. After a massive journey which has covered

over 100,000 miles through the 71 nations and territories of the

Commonwealth, you would expect it. And if it does not turn up here

safely in a while, we are in big trouble. And, everyone, after months

of training, these guys are all here as well. Our brilliant Commonwealth

athletes, ready for a couple of weeks of competition. So, after all

those introductions, there is only one more to make. To all of you

watching across the Commonwealth, whoever you are, wherever you are

watching, come on in. And to meet the people of Glasgow.

CHEERING Yes, your hosts are the people of

Glasgow. It is only right that they should

personally welcome you and one of them is singer-songwriter Amy

Macdonald who comes from the north of the city.

# And when I say your name out loud my heart skips a beat

# So, let the sun shine down on Glasgow town

# Never will I roam cos I know my place is home

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing

# The rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# I can feel your arms open wide that really was Tam the Gardner, who

# The rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# And the words I love you rolling off my tongue

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing... #

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the one and only Mr Rod Stewart!

# Yeah, I've got lightning in my veins

# The rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# And the words I love you rolling off my tongue

# Never will I roam cos I know my place is home

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing

# The rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# And the words I love you rolling off my tongue

# Never will I roam cos I know my place is home

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing

# Oh, the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# And the words I love you rolling off my tongue

# Never will I roam cos I know my place is home

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing

# The rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum

# And the words I love you rolling off my tongue

# Never will I roam cos I know my place is home

# Where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing. #

HAZEL: Rod Stewart is a regular visitor to Celtic Park, a lifelong

Scotland fan. Ladies and gentlemen,

there's an amazing continuity which were first held in Hamilton,

Canada, all the way back in 1930. To celebrate that continuity

we're now going to acknowledge the flag of India, who were hosts

four years ago for the Delhi Games. The flag of Scotland,

as the host of Glasgow 2014. And the flag of Australia, who will

host the 21st Commonwealth Games Very soon we're going

to be welcoming the head of the Commonwealth,

Her Majesty the Queen, to Glasgow. And to personally greet her

on our behalf, please welcome Prince Imran, president of

the Commonwealth Games Federation. Michael Cavanagh, chairman

of Commonwealth Games Scotland. who is chairman of the Glasgow 2014

Organising Committee. West Lothian's Susan Boyle is now a

huge international star. # Far have I travelled

and much have I seen # Dark distant mountains

with valleys of green # Past painted deserts

the sun sets on fire # As he carries me home

to the Mull of Kintyre HUW: The rousing sounds of the pipes

and drums of the Scottish regiments. Far have I travelled and much have I

seen, the opening words of the song, summing up Her Majesty's seven

year reign. The famous Braemar Highland games

gathering, the Queen, of course, is the patron of those games. And now,

ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the head of the Commonwealth, Her

Majesty the Queen, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Duke of

Edinburgh. And in preparation for Her

Majesty's arrival, the wonderful Red Arrows, preparing to fly over Celtic

Park, one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams. They are

based at Darius Campbell done, signalling that the Queen and the

Duke of Edinburgh are arriving, trailing great plumes of smoke

across the city centre of Glasgow. -- based at RAF Scampton. A fair bet

that smoke will change pretty soon to be familiar red, white and blue.

Magnificent! Everyone in Celtic Park looking up to the sky, a lovely

sunny evening for this Opening Ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth

Games. The Queen, sensing the warmth of the

welcome. The Queen's card bearing the Scottish Royal standard this

evening. -- car. Attending yet another Opening Ceremony of the

Commonwealth Games. Of course, the Queen has an unrivalled track record

in that respect. She celebrated her 88th birthday. The

Duke of Edinburgh is 93, having celebrated his birthday in June. And

the warmth of the welcome can be heard everywhere.

The Queen, who has been head of the Commonwealth since accession to the

throne back in 1952, heading 71 Commonwealth nations and

territories, all of them represented at this Opening Ceremony.

And being presented with a posy of Heather by a member of the Braemar

Gathering. -- heather. Out-lap ladies and gentlemen, boys and

girls, the Braemar Gathering party, led by Robert Lovie, invite you to

join us in the singing. Please be upstanding for the national anthem.

Veteran broadcaster Robbie Shepherd takes the floor.

Robert Lovie, unaccompanied and without fuss, very effectively

singing the national anthem. school of music, the Royal Scots

borderers, the Scots Guards, the Highland Fusiliers and the

highlanders, first, second and fourth battalions, Royal Reg of

Scotland. What a wonderful way to welcome the Queen into the stadium

this evening. You will see, on a huge screen, 96 metres

this evening. You will see, on a metres wide, displaying beautiful

shots of Royal Deeside. # When I come home, yeah,

I know I'm gonna be # I'm gonna be the man

who's comin' home to you # And when I'm dreamin'

well, I know I'm gonna dream # I'm gonna dream about the time

when I'm with you # But I would walk

five hundred miles # And I would walk

five hundred more # Just to be the man

who walked a thousand miles # But I would walk

five hundred miles # Just to be the man

who walked a thousand miles Everyone spellbound here at Celtic

Park, two dancers of the Scottish Ballet.

# And when I'm dreaming, well, I know I'm gonna dream

# I'm gonna dream about the time I had with you. #

500 miles, the song made famous by the Proclaimers, formed by those

dancers from the national ballet company of Scotland, based here in

Glasgow. That is the journey taken by the

Queen's baton. It is a journey of around 25 miles from Scotland's

National Park to one of the most renowned beauty spots.

The Queen's Baton has finally arrived here in Glasgow.

is a man who's almost as well travelled as the baton itself.

Mark Beaumont holds the record for cycling round the world.

He has travelled to each of the nations sending back his film and

report and making countless friends around the world.

The baton left Buckingham Palace 288 days ago

Since then, thousands and thousands of people have carried it

on an epic relay through all the territories

and islands and continents of the Commonwealth.

Now this symbol of friendship between nations

is on the very last leg of its extraordinary journey.

And in just a little while it will arrive here at the stadium

will at last share her message with all of us.

# "Haste ye back" means call again soon

# "And here's ta us" means good cheer

# Come in, come in, it's nice to see you

# Hows yoursel' you're looking grand

# Man you're welcome, here's my hand. #

Be swinging kilt and friendly smile of Andy Stewart. We get ready to

welcome the athletes. It does sum up the essence of Scottish hospitality,

come in, you are most welcome. What is noticeable about this opening

ceremony is the athletes, the spectators and hundreds of millions

watching around the world, will be able to raise money for the children

of the Commonwealth fund. It has been devised by the organisers of

the game and will be carried by broadcasters around the world to

raise money. The old June has been given a make over by dump Recio's

Calvin Harris who is an unstoppable force in music these days. This idea

has been inspired by a red wedding reception where they ran out of

chairs. So everybody went home to get some so that everyone would feel

comfortable. You get a real sense of the

wonderful screen which is projecting these images. We have seen nothing

like it. It weighs over 300 tonnes and is the largest screen in Europe

and it is being used to brilliant effect tonight and it will be used

throughout the athletes' parade. We are putting the seats out for the

athletes and we will need a whole lot of them. But this really is

where you get a sense of the informality, the friendliness of the

welcome, making a virtue of that. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I am Flora and I am from Glasgow. It is my privilege to welcome the first

team tonight. Come on in, India! Almost half the population of the

Commonwealth lives in India, Namaste, we bow our heads to you.

They are being led in by what I am sure are one of the stars of the

show, there are 41 Scottish terriers. They are bearing the names

of the teams on their coat. There are 71 nations and territories so

some of them will are 71 nations and territories so

change. It is great to see the richness of colour and the diversity

of India, the hosts of 2010 who gave us such a wonderful time. A great

host city. They had a brilliant success. 101 medals, they smashed

their previous target. Look out for them on the shooting range. They won

30 at home in Delhi. Expect to see some at the Barry Budden range in

Carnoustie. VJ Kumara, three gold medals ten years ago -- four years

ago. He is carrying the flag today. You can see the huge screen

background, the Indian flag You can see the huge screen

projected onto that. That will continue tonight.

I hope you are enjoying the night so far. Remember I told you something

amazing would happen tonight. This is where it starts. I just want to

remind you that tonight, Glasgow 2014 has come together with Unicef

to put the children of the Commonwealth first. It began with

six of my fellow Scots, all of them from Glasgow, they travelled across

the Commonwealth to see for themselves, the fantastic work that

Unicef is doing for all of our children. First off the block was

Katie, sports teacher from Drumchapel who went to Bangladesh.

When a child is in danger, you would stop at nothing to save their life.

Flooding and unsafe water levels here mean children are at risk of

drowning every single day. But tonight, you have the power to

change that. You can help to teach life-saving skills to children.

Skills that seems so simple but are matter of life and death for these

communities. It is so important that we keep this project going, in order

to prevent thousands more children from dying. Every child should have

the skills they need to survive. Tonight, at the end of the

athletes' parade, we will come together and this will be an

historic moment, as one Commonwealth family, to do something amazing. We

will put children first. We can all donate simultaneously, all of us

across the planet, and in that instance, we can change the lives of

millions of children across the world. Imagine that. But first, as

the celebration continues, not just in Glasgow, but across the

Commonwealth, Katie is joined by a special Unicef supporter, only one

of the best cricketers ever, Sachin Tendulkar. There are close to a

billion of us watching the ceremony across the Commonwealth. We have an

incredible chance, an historic opportunity, to show the world what

a huge difference we can all make when we act as one, to put children

first. A little later, we will show you how we can do that. But for now,

it is time for us to say, back in Glasgow, please give a big shout out

for the rest of the athletes from Asia!

Come on in, Bangladesh! Bangladesh has six separate seasons, summer,

rainy, cool, autumn, winter and spring. That sounds like a typical

Glasgow day. Indeed! There is a glimpse of one of the dogs, being

very well-behaved. We saw them in the Kent area before the ceremony

started. Very well-behaved. -- the tent area. There was a remarkable

journey from one athlete to be here, she has had threats to her life, she

had to pretend to be a boy to play sport. She moved to Canada and

despite heroine forced exile, her father says Pakistan should be very

proud of his daughter. Brunei Darussalam, a one-man team

this time. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a

welcome to of the 1988 Commonwealth Games, Malaysia! Another former host

of the Commonwealth Games in 1998 when it was very was very, very

sweltering. That is when team sport entered the programme, netball,

rugby sevens. They are at Minton crazy nation. Fatehah Mustapa is

carrying the flag, a cyclist. -- they are a bad and in crazy nation.

I expect there will be a reference to the Malaysia Airlines disaster

later in the programme. The Maldives made their debut in

Edinburgh in 1986. They are still waiting for their first medal. The

country is the lowest in the world. It is about the height of one and a

half hurdles in men's athletics! The second most populous nation

behind India. Look out in the bowls competition for two curry chefs,

they have lived in Glasgow for most of their lives. There have been

bowling for 20 years in Glasgow at an indoor club. They are all

watching them this evening. All the best to them and all of Pakistan's

athletes tonight. Singapore, a tiny island, lots of

influence. They are one of the world's smallest countries in terms

of landmass. A high-tech powerhouse. The team is led by the diminutive

Lim Heem Wei. She is only four foot 11.

Sri Lanka, one of the most vibrantly beautiful places in the world, the

parlour the Indian Ocean. I'm sure that some of their cyclists who got

lost on the motorway have managed to find their way back to Celtic Park

this evening! A great cricketing nation, of

course. No cricket this time, but they have a rugby sevens team, they

are in pool D. Papworth New Guinea! I am Keeley

Hawes, and with me from Glasgow is Jane McCormick. We would go to the

end of the earth to keep our children safe, and yet children in

the most remotely mean at ease on the planet of the last to get

protection against preventable diseases that could kill them. There

is no hospital here, we have to walk eight or nine hours. Tonight you

have the power to change that. No matter how far away they live, every

child should have life-saving vaccinations. This is the most

remote place that I have ever been. The people understand how important

these vaccines are. Coming from a little village in Glasgow to a

remotely is to make children are vaccinated, there is no reason that

every child in the whole world shouldn't be vaccinated. And with

your help tonight, we can do even more! For now, time to pick up the

story back in my hometown. Glasgow, will you please welcome into the

stadium, Oceania! Come on in, Australia! A tumultuous welcome for

one of the pillars of the Commonwealth, Australia! Leading

them in, Anna Meares, six Commonwealth medals to her name,

just one short of the record for an Australian cyclist. Yes, one of the

many genuine superstars in the Aussie team. We have also got Sally

Pearson, the Olympic Games 110 metres hurdles champion, obviously,

and so many great swimmers in their ranks, James Magnussen, the Missile.

They are the hosts for the next Games in 2018, Gold Coast, the fifth

time they will welcome the Commonwealth. But it is not just

individual strength they have, team strength too, looking forward to

seeing the rugby sevens team and the netball. In netball they lost to

archrivals New Zealand netball. In netball they lost to

two finals, and they really want their title back. That will be

something else at the Hydro on the last afternoon of these Games.

Please welcome the Cook Islands! So after the might of the Australian

team, and there were hundreds of after the might of the Australian

them, slightly different after the might of the Australian

compact, from the Cook Islands, the South Pacific nation, named after

Captain Cook. Looking forward to seeing what they can do

Captain Cook. Looking forward to rugby. Yes, always very popular in

The South Pacific Republic of Fiji. Now, they had their suspension from

the Commonwealth downgraded earlier this year. They were handed a

suspension in 2009, nothing to do with competitors, all to do with

controversy over democratic elections. But it is good to see

them. Yes, unfortunately, the lifting of that suspension came too

late for the rugby seven and netball players. The draw had been made, so

sadly they will not be here. So here we have David Katoatau flying the

flag for Kiribati, the small South Pacific Republic. They are right on

the international dateline, and that they see the first rays of the New

Year before anyone else on earth. It takes as 40 more hours to celebrate

Hogmanay! Nauru, a tiny dot in the Pacific, only 12 miles in

circumference, home to fewer than 10,000 people, but they have won ten

gold medals, all in weightlifting. This is the power of the

Commonwealth Games, inspired by Marcus Stephen, who went on to

become the president of their country! Many others have followed,

putting their island firmly on the sporting map. A great big cheer for

our friends from New Zealand, one of the mainstays, of course, of the

Commonwealth for many years. And they're phenomenal rugby tradition

which, as a Welshman, I am pain is to acknowledge! Right at the front,

Valerie Adams, arguably New Zealand's's most dominant athlete,

in shot put, she has not been beaten in 55 competitions, a force of

nature, that woman! The land of the long white clouds is welcomed to the

land of the occasional grey cloud, but not tonight! Obviously dominated

by the rugby sevens team, who have one ball four golds since the sport

was introduced. They have not won a single game. They have got to be a

fair bet! Watch out for the wonderful Silver Bones, then netball

team. -- Ferns the smallest population in the Commonwealth, only

1000 190 at last count. -- only 1190. Officially the smallest

population in the Commonwealth. Norfolk Island, what a claim, that

title, not much in it, I have to say! 2210 at last count! The

towering Norfolk pine tree on their flag, a fascinating history. It was

settled by Pitcairn islanders, descendants of Fletcher Christian

and the Bounty mutineers, in the 1850s. A man called John Christian

led them out, surely related! The weightlifter, his second

Commonwealth Games, leading Papua New Guinea. Their flag combines the

Southern Cross constellation with a bird of paradise. Their natural

sport is rugby league, but it is the rugby sevens team that are in the

group with Samoa, Wales and Malaysia. 12 of the squad have been

preparing with the Brumbies in camera. -- Canberra. Always

fascinating, probably the world's most diverse country in terms of

languages, 700 native languages and dialects. A dizzying variety, such a

rich culture. Yeah, we saw Keeley Hawes there early on, and she

clearly loved the country as well. Love the kilt at the back there!

Next, the independent state of Samoa, led by a weightlifter, one of

four members of the same family competing in weightlifting in

Glasgow. That is something too is a! It is indeed, she carries the flag,

her brother and sister join the team, although she is a heavyweight

as well. And they have also got the fast running sevens team, who

famously knocked out the Aussies last time. Watch out for their

version of the Haka. The Solomon Islands!

The Solomon Islands, some 900 islands in all, a former British

protectorate in the Pacific. Good to see them here, rather troubled in

the recent past, ethnic violence, divisions and crime there, so their

presence here is very welcome. One of the largest islands is

Guadalcanal, the high -- highest point in the Solomon Islands, double

the height of Ben Nevis. The friendly Islands, so named by

Captain Cook in the 1770s, all three of their Commonwealth medals have

come in the boxing ring. They have all flown in from the capital.

Conger is home to the last Polynesian monarchy, and we still

haven't heard their national anthem yet! -- Tonga. Tuvalu means group of

eight, granted independence from Britain back in 1978, and of course

one of the features of Tuvalu, apart from their sporting tradition, is

the fact that they are under severe threat from rising sea levels. Footy

is their national sport, but the only pitch doubles up as the airport

runway, rather than scuppering their hopes of FIFA recognition right now.

South of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu. Much of Vanuatu is covered

in rainforest. Yoshua Shing is the flag carrier for Vanuatu. He made

his Commonwealth Games debut in Melbourne when he was 12. He has

been to the Olympics as well, Melbourne when he was 12. He has

well travelled man, table tennis player.

Hello, Glasgow! As Oceania make their entrance, time for me to say

hello from Africa, where the party is in full swing. I am here in

Malawi to see the is in full swing. I am here in

Unicef is doing to make sure children in our Commonwealth do not

come last. Before all that, I want to introduce you to an incredible

man, someone I am now proud to call my friend, Dr Iain Horrocks. When a

child is seriously ill, you would do anything to take away their

suffering. And yet children here are the last to be treated, simply

because they the last to be treated, simply

hospital. That is where you come in. We provide a bike for Daniel, a

health care worker, so he can get to really remote communities. I hope

you have got this on camera, me overtaking you! Not yet, you

haven't! These overtaking you! Not yet, you

lifeline for this community to try and prevent those children getting

sick, and it all happens here. Heavier than I was expecting!

That is why tonight we need to put children first. Glasgow, let's

welcome to the stadium Africa! Come on in, Botswana! Made their

debut in 1974 at the Games, but in Delhi they took their first gold,

debut in 1974 at the Games, but in which will be defended here. Look

out, right at the front, Nigel Amos, he won silver at the London games.

Behind him, David Rudisha, first ever Olympic medal, presented

Behind him, David Rudisha, first the gift of six cows upon his

return, which has obvious advantages. You cannot barbecue a

gold postbox! Please welcome, Rune! The Republic of Cameroon,

gold postbox! Please welcome, Rune! suppose, after Wales and Scotland,

Hazel! Not tonight, happily, we are suppose, after Wales and Scotland,

thrilled, Huw, a suppose, after Wales and Scotland,

here at Celtic Park. Not the happiest of World Cup campaigns for,

Rune and Brazil this season, let's hope there athletes perform better.

Cameroon. They have been practising in Aberdeen,

Cameroon. They have been practising reception in the Granite city.

Come on in, Ghana! A warm welcome for the competitors from the

Republic of Ghana, the first country in colonial Africa to gain its

independence. A big team, 109 athletes, targeting their best ever

medal haul of 12. Watch out for their amazing supporters who travel

from one event to another, rivalling the tartan and barmy army watch out

for their first ever track cyclist, he lived in Glasgow for 14 years and

only took up the sport less than 12 months ago. 195 athletes, including

66 from track and field. They had a brilliant games. Inevitably, their

strength lies in athletics once again. David Rudisha, the

outstanding moment, he has had a break for injury but he is here. And

they're going for a clean sweep in the steeplechase. Scotland's Eilish

McColgan, the daughter of Liz McColgan is attempting to crash the

party in the women's steeplechase. The landlocked kingdom of Lesotho in

South Africa. They have fielded a team of 21. They have been preparing

in Wrexham in North Wales at a training camp there. They have a

reciprocal arrangement for Welsh athletes because they go to a high

altitude training centre. Isn't this a wonderful scene? Lesotho's flag

features a black hat and the men are wearing those hats there. We saw Sir

Chris Hoy in Malawi and Scotland has many ties with this country, the

warm heart of Africa. The city Blantyre is named after the city in

Scotland. The film showed the fundraising initiative. Malawi have

a huge star in netball. Malawi may spring the odd surprise in the

netball competition. Mauritius have joined us.

Beautiful beaches, sunshine, tropical summers, cool and wet in

the Highlands. The Mauritius athletes will feel at home, I'm

sure, in Scotland. All Mozambique athletes have the

exploits of Maria Mateo led to aim at. They will be hoping for good

things. Interesting about Mozambique because

a relatively recent addition to the Commonwealth, back in 1995, the

former Portuguese colony. The sixth appearance for Namibia

since their entry into the Commonwealth Games 20 years ago.

They have won 15 medals, four of them by a truck legend Frankie

Fredericks. He record. A fantastically arid place. The

skeleton Coast, the Fish River Canyon and a desert. It is a

wonderful place. One of the most colourful sets of clothing we have

seen this evening. That is really exotic. Nigeria, the giant of

Africa, the largest population on the continent of 177 million people.

Africa, the largest population on They could have one of the standout

athletes of the games,. A splash of vibrant green. That is

great to see. It really is a powerhouse.

What a story we have with Rwanda coming in.

The story of a mountain bike rider who lost his six brothers and

sisters in the genocide is now being made into a documentary. He is a

remarkable man and we will see him in the mountain biking. For many

people, he represents better than anyone the spirit of the games and

the spirit of the sport. There is the flag bearer for the

Seychelles. She has a pretty big contingent representing the great

country of the Seychelles. It gained its independence in 1976. Much of

the land is made up of nature reserves. One of the most beautiful

countries in the world. During the baton relay, there was a bit of a

first because it explored the reefs with scuba divers. Yes, it did have

a little jacket on! The flag bearer for Sierra Leone. Another group of

sportsmen who we welcome very warmly at Celtic Park. A country which

emerged after a decade of horrendous civil war between the early 90s and

2002. A country now trying to rebuild and take advantage of its

economic potential. Sierra Leone only had two competing athletes in

London two years ago, and isn't it marvellous to see the strength of

their team here today? It is a sevens player, Cecil Afrika,

who else, who carries the flag of the rainbow nation. You may get some

unbelievable moments from the South Africans. Chad lip gloss will swim

in eight events. Chad Le Clos. He is the potential

superstar of the games. Swerve the land, another landlocked

country. -- Swaziland. We do not have a Usain Bolt in the 200 metres

but we will have the Swaziland Bolt. That is the nickname of one of their

athletes. He's fast. 40 years ago, it Anthony had one of

the great Commonwealth Games moments 40 years ago, it Anthony had one of

still stands. But Tanzania have also won the men's Marathon twice.

still stands. But Tanzania have also will be hoping for better luck than

in Delhi where from the Zambezi River. It was David

Livingstone who was the first European to see the waterfall on the

Zambezi. He named it the Victoria Falls.

The Zambians have a runner who moved to Welshpool and then Sheffield. He

went to Texas and had the chance to run for Team GB bit he said he

wanted to represent Zambia. Good evening, Glasgow!

I am Reggie Yates. This is my mate David Yates from Glasgow. We are in

Jamaica. As we'll come together tonight, we want to put children

first, but a child can still come last in our Commonwealth. If they do

not have an education to help them fulfil their dreams and ambitions.

Child deserves more than just survival. They should have hope.

Many children around the world to not have hopes that the future

because they do not have an education. But tonight, we have the

power to change that. If I dead go to school, I will not be able to be

a doctor. Don't destroy the children's ability to become what

they want. Without children, there is nothing in the world. Let's go.

Children are for tomorrow. Without children we won't have any doctors,

or teachers. This is what putting children first is all about. Play

the trumpet! Thanks, Reggie. Now it is time to say to the people of

Glasgow and the people of the Commonwealth, please welcome into

the stadium, the Caribbean! Anguilla, the long thin island. The

name comes from the French word for eels. The main island is only 16

miles long by three miles wide. It is smaller than the island of Aaron

just off the West Coast of Scotland but a little warmer. A population of

16,000. It gives you a sense of the selection problems they had.

A population of 91,000, that is about six of the of Glasgow. The

star man is the sprinter Daniel Bailey. He clarity to the flag in

London in 2012 and he does again tonight. -- he carried the flag.

prosperous nations, the Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands, the

Bahamas, of course, well-known for tourism and international banking.

And a great tradition in athletics, particularly sprinting. Their only

medal at London was a memorable gold in the 4x4 and good metres relay. --

four by 400 metres relay. He wants one at the Commonwealth Games now!

Please welcome Barbados! We think of beaches, we think of cricket, of

course, the most easterly of the Caribbean islands, a warm welcome

for Shane Brathwaite, the flag carrier. We also have to think about

rugby sevens, they are making their Commonwealth Games debut. They are

half based in the UK and half in Barbados. The coach trains them by

Facebook. Their captain plays for Guildford in the seventh tier of

English rugby, and they played New Zealand at Ibrox at the weekend,

good luck! We need to see if that is a winning formula!

Come on in, British Virgin Islands! The long jumper Chantelle Nicholls

alone leading in the contingent from the British Virgin Islands. --

Chantel Malone. They have their first ever swimmers at the

Commonwealth Games, they both go to school in Hatfield in Hertfordshire,

they originally moved to the UK in 2005, and I know all their friends

at the school are very excited. They are swimming on Saturday in the 50

metres fly. No mistaking where they are from with the branding on their

clothes! The Cayman Islands, one of the world's biggest financial

centres. We talked about the Bahamas, but the Cayman Islands is a

well-known taxation, British overseas territory, with more

registered businesses than it has people. Three main islands, it has

been a big year for sport, their first participation at the Winter

Games in Sochi, where their halfpipe rider beat Shaun White, the Flying

Tomato. High jumper Brendon Williams leading

in the group from Dominica. One of the Windward Islands. They have a

parrot on-the-fly, shy and often fly in groups no larger than three,

unlike their team, who have 11 competitors here tonight. They have

appeared in the last four Games, but there was a very long gap, a quarter

of a century, when they did not appear. But they have made the 16

years. Well, one of the stars of the games, Kirani James, a man

mountain, he won world championship gold in 2011, he won at the Olympic

Games, could not follow it up at the World Championships, and they want

him to win Grenada's first ever Commonwealth gold. The last I needed

so well, there was a national holiday. He is called the Jaguar. --

the last time he did so well. Warren Weir, one of the favourites for gold

in Glasgow. It will be interesting to see what he manages to do,

Hazel. Interesting to see whether Usain Bolt will make an appearance,

because he is not going to come in and run until the last night of the

athletics. He is only going to do the sprint relay, as indeed will

Jamaica's other huge star, golden girl Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Usain

Bolt has never actually Julius Morris leading his friends

Please welcome Montserrat! Julius Morris leading his friends

from Montserrat, one of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean.

The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, the Irish among the first European

settlers to arrive, still the only country outside Ireland which

celebrates St One medal, a gold, in seven previous

Games, won by former 100 metres champion Kim Collins, who has sadly

not sorted out his difference with the Federation

not sorted out his difference with here. The team includes a brother

and sister, and they form the first ever table tennis team from St Kitts

and Nevis, our best wishes go to ever table tennis team from St Kitts

them. Please welcome St Lucia! St Lucia will host the Commonwealth

Youth Games in 2017. They are being leading this evening by Alexander.

Beautiful costumes for the parade, and a touch of the plaid on that. An

island of volcanic mountains, they are competing in netball for the

very first time. St Vincent and the Grenadines, their

flag has three diamonds in the centre, representing them as the

gems of the Antilles. The national dish, they tell me, is roasted

breadfruit and fish. We would probably call that a breadfruit

suburb. Please welcome Trinidad and do they go! -- supper. In the

absence of Usain Bolt in the individual is Prince, Richard

Thomson is the outstanding sprinter might he could be their star man. --

in the individual sprint. He had a lighthouse named after him after

London. The flag is in very good hands with that man. They also have

the reigning Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion, the man that Dai

Greene of Wales needs to catch to defend his title here.

Interesting, because the Turks and take us islands, a British overseas

territory, they did have a kind of referendum on independence back in

1982. The policy was reversed, still in the Commonwealth, so these

islands, the southern tip of the Bahamas chain. They are so named

because they take their name from a cactus that was said to resemble

behead gear of Turkish men. Hello to everyone out there! I am

here to introduce you to a very special girl named Michaela, all the

way from Glasgow. She is here to see Unicef putting children first. We

all want the very best for our children, regardless of our

situation. I know that children have to play, but some don't get that

chance, just because they are disabled. Are you going to take me

on a date? Oh, Mick! Ronaldo has a severe visual impairment. He is not

allowed past these gates, so this is the world right there. He needs some

work to express themselves and be a child, and he has not got a chance

to do that. But tonight we have the power to change children's lives.

Every child should have a safe place to play, no matter what their

ability. Ronaldo just has this mile that lights up the whole world. --

this smile. It was so awesome to see the children having so much fun, but

it can't stop here. Too many children need the chance to play, so

come on, people, let's put children first! One more thing, please

welcome the Americas! Please welcome... So we are getting

ready for the Americas, the Little Scottie is doing very well so far,

one or two being carried. Katie Seeley is an Ipswich Harrier but has

eligibility through Belize because her father was born there. She is

going for it at the front. They have also got a triathlete, known as

Bob. In Belize, all the roads are dirt road, the only tarmac is the

strip, which she get access to to train in the week hours of the

morning. Good luck to him tomorrow in the triathlon. -- the wee hours.

Representing the 70,000 people of the Mueller. Talking about

referendums, there was a referendum on independence that was defeated,

it remains a territory of the UK. -- Bermuda. Another prosperous place,

finance to the fore. Winter or summer, rain or shine, they always

marched in the Bermuda shorts. Capital of Hamilton, the town of the

same name ten miles south-east of Glasgow, just opposite Strathclyde

Park where the triathlon will be taking place tomorrow. Please

welcome Canada! Well, the Canadians, a member of the Commonwealth of

nations back in 1931 under the Statute of Westminster, the second

biggest country in the world, with the vast expanses of wilderness in

its northern areas. A really big pillar of the Commonwealth, and a

massive welcome in Glasgow. Definitely, it is where the Games

began in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930. A seven time world champion right at

the front, six time Olympian, proudly carrying the maple leaf. As

we see Mark Beaumont arriving at Celtic Park with the baton. One of

Canada's real stars, expected to be Briannae Theisen Eaton in the

heptathlon. She was expected to challenge Katarina Johnson-Thompson

of England for the gold medal, but sadly she has had to pull out, so we

won't get the showdown we wanted. , one in, the Falkland Islands --

come on in! And here we have one of the scuddys, a bit tired, being

carried. The team features three members of the same family, the dad,

carried. The team features three a veteran of Delhi, competing

alongside his son. His mother manages the squad. A family affair.

Gerald is 76, they moved to Auckland in 1958, and he has lived there ever

since. Guyana, the only Commonwealth

country on the South American continent, bordering cera nam,

Brazil and Venezuela. -- Surinam. It is great to see the smiles here

at Celtic Park. Totally joyous. Simon Henry, given the honour, he is

one of the shooters, leading in St Helena. It has a population of just

under 8000. We have some very big countries and some of the world's

smallest countries. And this is one of the world's most remote

participants. They are 1000 miles off the coast of Angola in Africa.

They are only reachable by a five-day crossing to Cape Town by

boat. The RMS Saint millionaire -- Saint Alina, one of

boat. The RMS Saint millionaire -- ships built here in Scotland. The

RMS St Helena ships built here in Scotland. The

Napoleon Bonaparte's day! I am Colin Jackson. It is my honour

to meet this lady who dedicates her life to babies who

to meet this lady who dedicates her danger because they are born to

early. We worry about our children from the

minute they are born. They mean the world to us. But unfortunately,

these babies are born dangerously small and have the toughest start in

life. Unicef gives us guidance. It is research based and hopefully, we

will be able to implement that. Skin on skin treatment is wonderful. It

does make a difference and we actually do see on the monitors, the

increased oxygen levels. It is brilliant. Tonight, you can make

sure every child everywhere get the best start in life. I have seen the

stories from all over the Commonwealth. I am a dad and grandad

and there is one thing I know the shore, we want the for our children.

It does not matter where you are watching in the world right now. We

all want our children to be safe and have the best start in life. As an

athlete, you train hard and dedicate yourself to coming first. But as you

have heard a few times already, tonight, we have a unique

opportunity to come together as a Commonwealth family to help put our

children first and we will show you how to do that shortly. But before