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."
School heads warn against
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