The twenty second Commonwealth Games has formally received below manner with an enormous opening ceremony kicking off the competitors in Birmingham.
Starting at 8pm and as a result of final about two and a half hours, the ceremony is on the Alexander Stadium with Prince Charles watching from the stands.
It comes virtually 10 years to the day for the reason that critically-acclaimed opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
Over the subsequent 11 days, greater than 5,000 athletes from a complete of 72 nations will compete throughout 19 sports activities.
England, Australia and Canada might be joined by lesser-known federations comparable to Norfolk Island, which might be represented within the second metropolis by 14 garden bowlers.
Bearing the flag for Team England in the course of the ceremony is diver Jack Laugher and weightlifter Emily Campbell.
As the ceremony started, crowds cheered and whistled whereas performers danced and sang.
Throughout the efficiency, a video has been performed exhibiting a star falling to earth and numerous folks, often called Stella and the Dreamers, gathering items of it.
The ceremony goals to inform the story of the group as they uncover Birmingham, assembly historic folks from town who’re depicted with weird large figures.
The first a part of the present concluded with 72 homes showing within the stadium, representing every of the nations competing this 12 months.
A tribute has additionally been paid to the Queen for her management of the Commonwealth, with a mixture of clips performed exhibiting numerous appearances and speeches about her position as the top of state.
While she just isn’t on the opening ceremony, Charles and Camilla are there to characterize the Royal Family – making fairly the doorway by driving into the stadium in an Aston Martin.
Also showing in plenty of traditional vehicles had been a bunch of Birmingham residents, who shaped an enormous large Union Jack with their autos.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra then carried out the nationwide anthem alongside a choir and opera singer Samantha Oxborough.
As Stella and the Dreamers proceed their journey, they’re proven the hearth of the Library of Birmingham in 1879, which destroyed plenty of Shakespeare’s works and the constructing.
In a maybe sudden look, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafza took to the stage to ship an inspirational speech about her expertise within the metropolis.
“Over the next few weeks, as we watch the incredible athletes of the Commonwealth Games, remember that every child deserves the chance to reach her full potential and pursue her wildest dreams,” she stated.
The world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham in 2012 after she was shot within the head in Pakistan for demanding the fitting to training.
Her applauded speech was adopted by a heartwarming music by two Birmingham singers, who had been surrounded by dancers from across the West Midlands.
Continuing on with the story of town, the efficiency entered a steampunk theme to depict the economic revolution.
A large mechanical bull was dragged into the stadium by 50 feminine chain-makers, main the actors to run and scream.
The beast was then “tamed” by Stella and the Dreamers and a vibrant celebration ensued with numerous completely different genres of dance carried out.
As the dancers clashed, the as soon as calm bull started to get agitated and the ceremony took a relaxing flip as performers got here collectively to unite and restore peace.
The competing athletes paraded into the ceremony, with Team England getting into to We Will Rock You.
Olympian Tom Daley, who just isn’t competing, appeared later within the Queen’s Baton Relay and used his position to spotlight LGBTQ+ rights.
He was joined by boxer Galal Yafai and gymnast Max Whitlock, who concluded the relay by handing the baton to Olympian Denise Lewis.
Unfortunately, Team England’s medal hopes had been dealt a blow on Wednesday when sprinter Dina Asher-Smith was compelled to withdraw from the video games as a result of a hamstring harm.
Asher-Smith had damaged her British document to complete fourth within the World 100m remaining final week and received a bronze medal within the 200m.
Source: information.sky.com”