By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Rewporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GLASGOW, Scotland — It was probably the most colourful opening ceremonies ever witnessed as Scotland welcomed more than 4,500 athletes from 71 countries to the 20th Commonwealth Games.

From the rainbow of colours on display on the rectangular stage on the field to the assortments of colours worn by the volunteers, every performance from the pre-ceremony to the fireworks and confetti that fell at the end of the ceremony, Scotland seems to have out-done itself.

Every country has its own unique way of displaying their culture during those times of celebrations, but in Glasgow on a cool Wednesday, no one could argue that there was no better way to kick off the next 11 days of intense competition than the way it was done.

Everybody looked forward to the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II who, accompanied by her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, would officially declare the “friendly” games open after she read the message she put in the Games torch after it left Buckingham Palace and was carried through every Commonwealth nation over the past 288 days.

As she drove through the stadium, nine hawks of the Red Arrows fly overhead in a v-formation leaving a display of blue and white smoke behind in the air.

Although the night was about the athletes, there were some other special moments.

A tribute was paid to the late Nelson Mandela, who incidentally has a street named in his honour in Glasgow. And a moment of silence was offered to the victims of the recent Malaysian plane that was blown out of the sky, killing all passengers on board.

Another highlight of the night was the appearance by Rod Stewart, the two-time inductee into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Living Legend. He performed two renditions, one before the athletes did their march pass and the other when they had assembled onto the field.

For the first time, rather than entering the stadium in alphabetical order, the countries were called their region. Each country, as they were called, was led by a Scottish Terrier dog with the respective country name draped across their back.

Starting the parade was India, who hosted the last Commonwealth Games in 2010. They were followed by their seven counter-parts from Asia.

Oceania was next with 14 nations and Africa came behind with 18, the largest of all territories.

They were followed by the 15 Caribbean nations, with the Bahamas third on the list behind Antigua and ahead of Barbados. Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace was the only swimmer to carry the flag, as she represented the Bahamas, a first outside of track and field.

Then there was the Americans with six and finally Europe with 10. As the host nation, Scotland was the last to enter as they waited for Wales to almost complete their march pass before they arrived in with much fanfare.

It was as usual a wonderful sight to behold as each country came out decked out in their traditional national uniforms, which only adds to the splendour of the setting that was already in high gear.

Although they could have easily carried the flag for their respective countries, six outstanding athletes, including swimmer Ian Thorpe from Australia and sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Praser, representing Jamaica, paraded in all white as they carried the white Commonwealth Games flag that was hoisted in the middle of the field.

There was so much talent on display on the field that spectators are anxiously awaiting the start of competition today.

Before the night was over, in another form of solidarity, both the spectators and the athletes alike were asked to support UNICEF in their bid to ‘Put the Children First’ and make a donation by texting in 70333 to donate five pounds to help change the lives of thousands of children in need in the Caribbean.

What a gesture that was led by Sir Chris Hoy and James McAvoy.

It was truly a night to remember and one that will certainly get these “friendly” games started on a high note as the confetti fell and the firecrackers went off to get the show underway.