Commonwealth Games open in colourful, moving ceremony

The flag of Scotland is carried by Euan Burton as they arrive during the opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23, 2014. REUTERS Photo

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the 20th Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park on Wednesday after a moving and colourful ceremony in front of a 40,000 capacity crowd.
     
The Games will feature 17 sports across 11 days of competition with more than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations competing, making the event the biggest Scotland has ever hosted.
      
The Queen called on those present to "unite" in difficult times as a minute's silence was held for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight disaster.
      
Eighty-two of the 298 people who died last week when the plane came down over eastern Ukraine were from Commonwealth nations.
      
The Malaysian team also entered the stadium with their flag at half-mast and wore black armbands.
      
"To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours. Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us," said the Queen.
      
"You remind us that young people, those under 25 years of age, make up half of our Commonwealth citizens; and it is to you that we entrust our values and our future.
      
"I offer my sincere thanks to the many organisations and volunteers who have worked diligently to bring these Games to fruition, and indeed to the spectators here in the stadium and to the millions watching on television.
      
"Together, you all play a part in strengthening our friendships in this modern and vibrant association of nations.
      
"It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open."        A colourful, nearly three-hour long ceremony began with an exuberant sequence...

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