GLASGOW (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II opened the 2014 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday after a moving and colourful ceremony staged at the famed home of Celtic football club.
The 20th Commonwealth 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.
Amongst the colour, there was a sombre, immaculately-observed minute's silence to remember the 298 people who died in the Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight disaster.
Eighty-two of the victims were from Commonwealth nations.
"To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours," Queen Elizabeth told the athletes.
"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."
