West London athletes will be going for glory from today after the Queen formally declared the 20th Commonwealth Games open following a colourful ceremony at Glasgow's Celtic Park last night.
Badminton player Rajiv Ouseph, who was born in Hounslow, and 5,000m runner Julia Bleasdale, who grew up in Hillingdon, are just two of the athletes from the capital going for glory in Scotland.
The head of the Commonwealth, who wore a striking white dress and hat, spoke of the bonds that unite the 71 nations and territories when she delivered her message which has travelled the world inside the Games baton.
There was a brief moment of embarrassment when the baton containing the Queen's message refused to open for Prince Imran of Malaysia, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, to release the manuscript.
But British Olympic Legend and star of London’s 2012 Games, Sir Chris Hoy, who had carried the baton to the prince, instinctively came to the rescue. There were then loud cheers and applause as the Queen declared the competition open.
The baton was brought into the arena by a young girl who, in an earlier clip promoting the work of Unicef, stressed the importance of access to education for all Commonwealth children.
Grassroots volunteers from the world of sport then passed the baton to one another, and an emotional Sir Chris was given the honour of delivering it to the Royal Box.
The cycling star received the baton from his 97-year-old great uncle Andy Coogan, who he credits with encouraging him to get involved in the sport.
Having handed the baton to Prince Imran, Sir Chris then stepped in to help when he had difficulty releasing the message.
The Queen said: "The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family.
"And now, that baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements and for the warmth of its people, for this opening ceremony of the Friendly Games"
