The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 got off at the Celtic Park in Glasgow in Scotland on 23 July 2014. The 2014 Games are the 20th Commonwealth Games.
The Game was declared open by the British Queen Elizabeth II after more than two hours of colourful opening ceremony. In the opening ceremony the crowd was enthralled by performances of singer Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and violinist Nicola Benedetti
During the ceremony a minute's silence was observed in memory of the 298 people who died when flight MH17 crashed in the Ukraine.
The players' parade was led by India, by the virtue of being the previous hosts of Commonwealth Games in 2010. 2012 London Olympics silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar led the Indian contingent.
India was followed by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan and Brunei. The parade ended with the current host Scotland led by Judo player Euan Burton.
About Commonwealth Games 2014
- In the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 4500 athletes from 71 nations will be competing for 261 medals spread over 17 sports discipline.
- For the first time, 22 para-sport events will be contested in five different sports (athletics, cycling, lawn bowls, swimming and weightlifting). Para track cycling will be held for the very first time
- Archery and tennis from the 2010 games were replaced on the sports program with triathlon (for the first time since 2006) and judo (first time since 2002).
- Among sport disciplines removed from 2010 include the walking events in athletics, synchronised swimming and Greco-Roman wrestling, while mountain biking will be contested for the first time since 2006.
- Shooting medal events also dropped from 44 in 2010 to 19.
- The closing ceremony will take place at Hampden Stadium Aug 3.
Glasgow Games Mascot
Clyde is the mascot of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The mascot is by a real ship called the SS Cameronia built on the Clyde in 1920. Clyde is a cheeky wee thistle who has been nurtured by seafaring Scot, Captain Bristle.
Glasgow Games Logo
The logo depicts two sprinters woven into a tartan motif, representing Scotland. The logo also vaguely resembles the Clyde Auditorium, one of Glasgow's most recognisable landmarks. The pattern, forming the Roman numerals XX, also represents 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games.
The official logo for the 2014 Commonwealth Games was unveiled on Commonwealth Day, 8 March 2010 and was designed by Marque Creative
Queen’s Baton Relay
Queen's Baton Relay was launched on 9 October 2013 at Buckingham Palace. Since then the Baton travelled for 288 days covering 190000 kilometers across 70 nations to reach the Celtic Park on 23 July 2014.
The Queen's Baton Relay is a much loved tradition of the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth nations and territories in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.
Five big names missing from Glasgow 2014
- Heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, England: 2012 Olympic champion and former world champion
- Sprinter Yohan Blake, Jamaica: Olympic silver medallist in 100m and 200m and former 100m world champion
- Cyclist Mark Cavendish, Isle of Man: Former world champion on track and road, plus multi-stage winner in Tour de France
- Cyclist Becky James, Wales: Double gold medallist at 2013 World Track Cycling Championships
- Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, England: Gold medallist at 2012 World Junior Championships
Important Facts
- Scotland is staging the Commonwealth Games for third time, after Edinburgh played host in 1970 and 1986.
- The first Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, where 400 athletes from 11 countries took part in 59 events across six sports.
- Only six teams have attended every Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales
- Australia has won the most gold medals - 804 - and are the only team to have amassed more than 2000 medals.
- Australia has staged the four-yearly event four times as have Canada.
Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010
- The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010.
- A total of 6081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games to date.
- It was the first time that the Commonwealth Games were held in India and the second time it was held in Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.
- This also marked the first time a Commonwealth Republic hosted the games.
- Official mascot: Shera
- Official song: Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto composed by A.R. Rahman.
- The final medal tally was led by Australia. The host nation India achieved its best performance ever at the Games, finishing second overall.
- India won 101 medals in total comprising of 38 Gold, 27 Silver and 36 Bronze