The Scotsman newspaper plucked choice slang from the streets of Glasgow to describe the opening of the XX Commonwealth Games tonight (Wednesday, July 23, 2014). Pure dead brilliant it pronounced the star studded spectacle in the City’s Celtic Park. The CBC reports that trap shooter Susan Nattrass, an eight-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, carried the Maple Leaf flag as our team paraded in. The team wore the Canadian tartan (inset). Our contingent numbers 265 athletes, the largest ever for Commonwealth Games outside the country. On the Internet, many agencies were replaying the incredible rugby skills of Canada’s Conor Trainor (see it below). Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle headlined the ceremony, which included a giant kilt, Scottish dancing, an inflatable Loch Ness Monster, and other delights. Images of Opening The CBC notes that Stewart included some Canadian content when he performed Rhythm of my Heart, much to the delight of the crowd. Canadian singer-songwriter Marc Jordan wrote the song for Stewart. Jordan was in Glasgow at the opening ceremony to watch Stewart perform his hit. Boyle sang Mull of Kintyre, and may or may not have forgotten the first two lines of the song. “The Canadian team is aiming to finish in the top three in the overall medal standings after falling to fourth at the 2010 Games in Delhi, India. The track and field team is particularly strong, with 2013 world championship medallists Brianne Theisen-Eaton (heptathlon), Damian Warner (decathlon) and Derek Drouin (also an Olympic bronze medallist in the high jump) on the squad. Boston Marathon wheelchair champion Josh Cassidy will compete in the para-sport 1,500 metres.”
