2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

Parade of Nations

The ceremony was directed by David Zolkwer [1] and included the 2014 Commonwealth Games Parade of Nations where 71 athletes, bearing the flags of their respective nations and territories, led their national delegations as they paraded into the stadium. The games were formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She referred to the Commonwealth's "shared ideals and ambitions" and the "bonds that unite" its members.[2]

Programme

The programme, which included about 2,000 performers, featured Karen Dunbar, John Barrowman, Amy Macdonald, Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle, Nicola Benedetti, Julie Fowlis, Pumeza Matshikiza, Eric Whitacre and the National Youth Choir of Scotland, as well as a message from the International Space Station. The ceremony began with a countdown and a recorded video message from Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, explaining the partnership between the Games and UNICEF.[3]

Following the arrival of the Queen there was a flypast by the Red Arrows display team. The venue featured the largest LED video screen in Europe,[4] supplied by Sports Technology.[5] Scotland's then First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the participants and spectators, and introduced a moment of silence in memory of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 disaster.

The final part of the Queen's Baton Relay was run by 32 Scottish volunteers nominated for giving their time to developing the nation's youth through sport. The baton was then passed to Sir Chris Hoy, who delivered it to President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Prince Imran and the Queen. The display of the message concealed within the baton was delayed by a difficulty in opening the device.[6]

The Games were launched in partnership with UNICEF, to save and change children’s lives. The unique partnership aimed "to use the power of sport to reach every child in Scotland and benefit children in every Commonwealth nation and territory."[7]

Broadcast

The ceremony was broadcast by BBC One, and was introduced by Gary Lineker, Hazel Irvine, Clare Balding and Huw Edwards.[8] The estimated worldwide television audience was one billion,[6] with 9 million in the UK.[9]

See also

References
  1. Gardner, Lyn (24 July 2014). "Commonwealth Games opening ceremony review – no lack of heart but a lack of oomph". theguardian.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  2. Duncanson, Hilary (23 July 2014). "Queen tells of 'shared ideals' at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Press Association. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  4. Adam Withnall (19 March 2014). "Commonwealth Games 2014 – on your marks: Glasgow ready for opening ceremony as Scotland promises to show 'what we're made of' – Commonwealth Games – Sport". The Independent. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  5. "Sports Technology to showcase all the big-screen action of Glasgow 2014 | Glasgow 2014 – Commonwealth Games". Glasgow 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  6. Commonwealth Games. "Commonwealth Games 2014: the Queen laughs off baton hitch". Telegraph. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  7. "Unicef | Glasgow 2014 – Commonwealth Games". Glasgow 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  8. "BBC One – Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014, Opening Ceremony". bbc.co.uk. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  9. "Commonwealth Games 2014 opening ceremony scores 7.6m on BBC One – TV News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
External media
Images
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in pictures, The Mirror Newspaper
Video
Opening Ceremony – Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, CGF's Official Channel
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