Commonwealth Games - Jerusalem played as anthem - English News - Anglo-Saxon Foundation English National Anthem Yesterday Fran Halsall won gold for England at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and in doing so inadvertently stirred up a storm in a tea cup by becoming the first athlete to take to the winners' podium to strains of 'Jerusalem', the new Team England victory anthem. Whether or not the English athletes and public take to the new anthem remains to be seen, but even if they do not England's adoption of Jerusalem for Delhi 2010 could prove to be historic if only because it highlights demand for an anthem other than God Save the Queen. Rise Like Lions is re-running the anthem4england polls, let us know what you think. Jerusalem was slagged off by Clare Balding and everyone in the BBC studio. Clare read out one of the ‘many’ anthem-related emails that they had received, and the particular one she chose asked “Why is our anthem not God Save the Queen?” To her credit Clare gave the following answer that could have been lifted straight from this site.

Technically it shouldn’t be actually because, obviously, God Save the Queen is the national anthem of Great Britain, it is not the national anthem of England and it would be rather arrogant if England were to assume that it was. Posted 06 October 2010 - 10:17 PM I prefer Jerusalem. The bbc reporters, Claire Baldwin and another nobody, couldn't wait to slag it off after the first ceremony because it played for two verses instead of one. Both saying we prefer land of hope and glory. You could see they were encouraged to say this because Jerusalem is about England and not Britain. Also the poll for the Anthem was 53% in favour of Jerusalem with land of hope and glory only getting I think 33%. ..So what did the lunatics of the bbc say (John slimy inverdale), 'maybe we could have a coalition of the anthems, with Jerusalem played, then the next ceremony land of hope and glory! these people are off their heads completely insane. And today they come with more rubbish saying a Ukrainian who moved to England (and is claimed to be representing England in the games) is only the third 'Englishman' to win such a medal in wresting!

The sooner the bbc is wiped off the face of the media world the better for all. It's directors, managers, producers and presenters etc are sick in the head. 333 posts Posted 06 October 2010 - 11:15 PM maybe this is a sign that the Age of the Englisc is coming!!! lets hope that this small,yet significant incedent is the signal that the coming of the Englisc Revolution is drawing closer!!! Wodenswulf ic āc Englisc-Seaxisc hǣðen ;; im a Anglo-Saxon Heathen in Gods ic gelīefan ; in Gods I trust ic hægl norðan westdǣl Angelcynn ; i hail from the north west of england hægl mīn hǣþen brōþors ēac sweostors!; hail my heathen brothers and sisters! der englische Schildwall werden auferstehen und die Macht übernehmen im Namen unserer Vorfahren und unser blut! the Englishshieldwallwill riseandtake power in the nameof ourancestors and our blood! Briten nie!! Englands für immer! british never!! English Forever!!

Englander Aufwachen!! English Awake!! 9,121 posts Posted 07 October 2010 - 11:06 AM Jerusalem was slagged off by Clare Balding and everyone in the BBC studio. Clare read out one of the 'many' anthem-related emails that they had received, and the particular one she chose asked "Why is our anthem not God Save the Queen?" To her credit Clare gave the following answer that could have been lifted straight from this site. Technically it shouldn't be actually because, obviously, God Save the Queen is the national anthem of Great Britain, it is not the national anthem of England and it would be rather arrogant if England were to assume that it was. So Clare Balding would think England arrogant to assume that God Save The Queen is its anthem? Seems she has no problem with the Scots and Welsh booing it when it's played, or that we don't have a recognised anthem of our own. What are people to assume when they've been brainwashed with the "we're all British" bullshit for so long??

At the end of the day these events treat Englishness as nothing more than a civic identity anyway, so I don't really give a monkey's chuff about the Commonwealth Games. Arrogant to assume that it was our anthem? Clare Balding can stick it up her fat lesbian arse for all I care! I bet the horses breathed a sigh of relief when she retired from jockeying. Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth 5,000 posts Posted 07 October 2010 - 07:31 PM Jerusalem can be a stirring anthem if sung properly. The problem is that almost nobody in the general public knows the words. It is certainly not sung in schools and the like. That must change. it was my old school hymn and I still remember every word "William the Conqueror had turned the English out of their birthrights; and compelled them for necessity to be servants to him and to his Norman soldiers" - Gerrard Winstanley We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France - Duke of Wellington "Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance.

If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society... then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them... We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant." ï¿½ Karl Popper Posted 07 October 2010 - 08:44 PM [quote name='Penda Of Teotta's Halh' timestamp='1286391605' post='91880'] English National Anthem Yesterday Fran Halsall won gold for England at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and in doing so inadvertently stirred up a storm in a tea cup by becoming the first athlete to take to the winners' podium to strains of 'Jerusalem', the new Team England victory anthem. Whether or not the English athletes and public take to the new anthem remains to be seen, but even if they do not England's adoption of Jerusalem for Delhi 2010 could prove to be historic if only because it highlights demand for an anthem other than God Save the Queen.

This quote from riselikelions.co.uk gives the impression that God Save the Queen was the England anthem at the Commonwealth games prior to the introduction of Jerusalem this year. This is not the case. England have used Land of Hope and Glory as their Anthem at the Commonwealth games,I believe,since it's inception before WW11. I don't care if they use LoH&G or Jerusalem---either is better than that aweful British dirge GStQ! As others have said,many of the athletes representing England are not English,so I really don't give a toss. What we need is an Ethnic games,where the various races would compete against each other. Regretably,Western countries would find it increasingly difficult to find athletes that faithfully reflected their ethnic origins. What the hell are games,in their present format ,supposed to prove about the various competing countries,when many of the competitors have only the most tenuous relationship with the country they represent ? They were not easily moved, They were icy---willing to wait I've lost St George in the Union Jack It's my flag too AND I WANT IT BACK!

"Politics is the business of getting power and privilege without possessing merit"—P J O'Rourke Commonwealth Games 2010 blog: 5 October – as it happened | Steve Busfield | Sport | The Guardian Commonwealth Games 2010 blog: 5 October – as it happened Tuesday 5 October 2010 04.17 EDT First published on Tuesday 5 October 2010 04.17 EDT Close 5.24pm: The main points of the day: • A surge of medals in the pool and on the bicycle track see Australia well clear in the medals table . Australia has eight golds and 21 medals in total. • But Australia have one less medal than they should have after wrestler Hassene Fkiri was stripped of his silver for making a one-fingered salute to officials after he was disqualified. He wouldn't have lost the medal for just the disqualification. • Host nation India has had a good day, claiming two golds in the shooting and three in the wrestling (although the official medal table is yet to confirm several of these victories).

As the Times of India reports : "India makes clean sweep in Greco-Roman wrestling." • England claimed its first two goals, in the swimming pool. But then faced questions over the choice of Jerusalem as the national anthem to be played for podium appearances. Have your say in our poll. • Scotland also won its first gold, to join Canada, South Africa and Nigeria on the one gold mark. Malaysia and Singapore have two. • Just 600,000 of the 1.5m available tickets have been sold, organisers admitted. Free tickets may be given to schoolchildren and the poor. 4.52pm: 600,000 of the total 1.5m tickets have been sold, Suresh Kalmadi, the head of the Games organising committee admitted today. Jason Burke reports on the possible solutions to some near-empty stands, and on other problems around the games.

Meanwhile, this tweet from BBC reporter James Pearce : "I'm afraid many will be shocked by TV pictures on 6 o'clock news of state of athletics track" Anil Kumar of India (L) throws Hassene Fkiri of Australia (R) shortly before the Aussie was disqualified and then stripped of his silver medal Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images 4.33pm: Australia have one less medal because wrestler Hassene Fkiri has been stripped of his 96kg Greco-Roman wrestling silver for making an obscene gesture to officials. The Tunisian-born Fkiri was disqualified midway through his medal bout with Anil Kumar and was so furious with the decision he refused to shake hands with the Indian or the referee. Despite the disqualification, he would still have won the medal, but then gave a one-finger salute to the officials. Fkiri wrestled for Tunisia at the 2000 Sydney Games. NDTV quotes Australian coach Kuldi Bassi as saying : "He's a very nice person normally. He's very good, win or lose. He wasn't unhappy at all (before the fight) -- he was happy to be representing his country.

The Indian (Kumar) upset him a bit and was pulling his neck. I told him that was what was going to happen and I think he just lost control. It's very sad and it's bad for the country." 4.25pm: Thanks to Penny and Greg for covering, Steve back in the chair.... 4.15pm: Over on the squash courts Canada's Shawn Delierre was seriously grumbling on the way to a 3-1 defeat to England's James Willstropp, calling for lets at every opportunity and regularly barging into Willstropp in order to gain an advantage. The Englishman, who is seeded at No2 at the Games, was expected to win and is staying on to bash the ball against the wall in frustration. Either that or he'll have to have a session of handbags with Delierre in the locker rooms. 3.56pm: Harding completes his 5-1 victory. It could have been a far greater score, with some of the Welshman's better shots not being recorded bny the judges. 3.49pm: Harding is 5-1 up now.

He's landed some seriously powerful left hooks and uppercuts against Ahmed and I'm surprised the Ghanaian is still standing. Earlier on in the day England's Anthony Anthony Ogogo made a great start. Anthony Ogogo made short work of Andrew Kometa of the Kiribati Islands with a second round stoppage to make it two out of two for England's boxers on the opening day of competition. After edging two points clear in the first round Ogogo opened up in the second, chopping a right to force Kometa to take a standing count then pouring in with right hands until the referee waved the contest off. Ogogo said: "The first one's always going to be nerve-racking but everyone gets nervous, from Ricky Hatton to Lennox Lewis. It was a massive occasion for me and I tried to keep a level head. "This is my big chance. I've been dreaming, sleeping, eating and drinking the Commonwealth Games . I want to become known as a boxing superstar rather for any of the other stuff I've done." Northern Ireland middleweight Eamonn O'Kane scored a comfortable 5-0 points win over Sri Lanka's Ranil Jayathilkage. 3.45pm: Hello, Gregg Roughley here.

I'm covering for Steve Busfield while he's otherwise engaged. Over in the boxing arena Kieran Harding of Wales has got off to a very good start against his Ghanaian opponent Habib Ahmed in the 75kg category. He's taken a two-point lead after an aggressive start to the first round and has now forced a second-round eight-count after a flurry of powerful combinations. 3.33pm: News from the wires on the bomb scare in Delhi earlier, which was, it turns out, a hoax. An anonymous call to Delhi police claiming that a bomb had been placed inside the Commonwealth Games athletes' village proved to be a hoax. Delhi police detained a boy who allegedly made the call to the police control room at around 2.30pm local time (10.00BST). The call prompted a security check at the residential complex, which hosts about 7,000 athletes. Dog squads and bomb disposal teams surveyed the area, which has 14 blocks, 34 towers and 1,168 air-conditioned apartments, a senior police official told the Press Trust of India. The office said a two-hour long check yielded nothing and the call was declared a hoax.

Following the call, bomb disposal teams and dog squads conducted precautionary searches at the main press centre in Pragati Maidan and other venues. "The boy was arrested after our technical surveillance team tracked his mobile number. He wanted to get some of his friends into trouble and so made the call," the official said. 3.24pm: A tight, and very humid, match in the women's hockey ends South Africa 2-1 Scotland. Scotland really needed a point from that to boost their chances of progressing from Group A, but South Africa survived second-half pressure from the noisily supported Scots, who made a few tired challenges, although their keeper made a great toe-punt stop in the last minute to keep the score down. Scotland sit fourth in the group and realistically need to beat Australia to qualify. It reminds me of when I was standing on the sidelines watching a hockey game on the astroturf before my football training started. There really is no pain like a hockey ball hitting your ankle bone at full speed. 3.08pm: Here are the thoughts of Laura Edwards, silver medallist in the gymnastics. "It's amazing, I can't believe it.

We just wanted to try our best we could and see where we came." Charlotte Lindsley added: "I've never been on a podium before - it's a new experience in my first major championships. It's really good." Becky Wing was named in the England team but was unable to compete due to sickness, with Lindsley stepped up to perform the floor routine instead. Today's team event doubled as qualifying for tomorrow's all-around final, and Thursday and Friday's individual apparatus finals. Imogen Cairns has qualified for the all-around final in third place behind Australia's Lauren Mitchell and Emily Little, while Jocelyn Hunt progressed in fourth. Edwards was seventh, so makes the all-around final, but Lindsley misses out despite coming 11th as only three gymnasts from each nation can progress. 2.53pm: It may not quite offer the thrills of an England v Wales rugby showdown but there's an intense contest going on in the Yamuna sports complex between Daniel Reed of England and Stephen Jenkins of Wales in the table tennis. The poor umpire keeps getting splashed with sweat. Jenkins blows on the ball – is that allowed? – but sends his return long, and Reed wins the contest 3-2.

"The fire of the Welsh dragon extinguished." Thank you for that, BBC commentator. This was the men's team event, so they beat Wales 3-0, putting them top of Group 3. On route to the quarters ... 2.43pm: Penny here as Steve takes a break. Another medal for England! This time a silver in the women's team gymnastics. No Beth Tweddle but Charlotte Lindsley, Jocelyn Hunt, Imogen Cairns and Laura Edwards were beaten to the gold medal by Australia (who else?), who totalled 163.700 points across the apparatus – vault, asymmetric bars, floor and beam. England collected 158.200 points and Canada took bronze with 154.750. Gold 2.20pm: And India has claimed its fourth gold medal of the day, with Sanjay beating South Africa's Brian Richard Addinall in the final of the 74kg Greco-Roman style.

It's always good news for an event when the host nation does well, raising the profile, stirring excitement, bringing bigger crowds etc etc 2.07pm: With the athletics due to start tomorrow, the BBC is reporting on last-minute repairs being made to the track and that the in-field has only been half-laid with grass. Former Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards says: This is a culture where things are got ready at the last minute but there are very real concerns. There is a feeling that there are a lot of people working here but no real sense of urgency. They're relaying part of the track which I think was damaged during the opening ceremony. I've seen a number of athletes come in and I think they're in shock. For a top athlete coming into a stadium this is not what you expect. It's beyond anything I imagined. Hopefully it will be ready to go tomorrow for the first session. 2.04pm: England beat Wales 4-1 in the women's hockey , with Crista Cullen scoring a hat-trick.

1.57pm: India have claimed a third gold , with Ravinder Kumar winning the Greco-Roman 60kg event beating Terence Bosson of England 2-0, 5-0 1.27pm: So, here are the highlights so far today: • Australia now have 8 gold medals - and 19 in total - to lead the medals table . • Host nation India claimed its first two golds, in the shooting. • England claimed it's first two goals, in the swimming pool. • But was then engulfed in debate over whether Jerusalem is right to be played as the national anthem. Have your say in our poll . • Scotland also win first gold, to join Canada, South Africa and Nigeria on the one gold mark. Malaysia and Singapore have two. • India beat Australia by one wicket, with Laxman guiding them home....ok, so that wasn't actually at the Commonwealth Games, but it was very exciting and just have a look at Googletrends I'm just going to grab a bite to eat and then I will try to catch up on some of the other events that have been going on today.

Pinterest close 1.20pm: Here is a singalong version of Flower of Scotland so you can, er, singalong to Robbie Renwick collecting his gold medal. The Scottish athletes themselves chose Flower of Scotland as their anthem by quite a weighty margin, beating Scotland the Brave, 211-15 . Scotland the Brave had been used at every Games since 1958. 1.14pm: We have a poll: What should the English national anthem be ? 1.03pm: In the interests of balance, Lynne from Melbourne emails again: "To be fair to Australian TV coverage, they just showed Renwick's excellent win AND they interviewed him. Looking forward to hearing the Scottish anthem - really hope it's something by the Proclaimers." And, as Spandau Ballet would sing: Gold! 12.55pm: Renwick of Scotland wins Gold. Monk and Fraser-Holmes of Australia come second and third. 12.54pm: Halfway and Carry of Scotland and Davenport of England are in front, but it's very tight.

12.52pm: Men's 200m freestyle final: Aussies won't get a 1-2-3 I can confidently say because there are only two Aussies in this race, plus two English, two Scots, a South African and a Canadian. 12.44pm: Wading into the English national anthem debate, another Brit in Oz, Bev in Sydney, emails to say: "I'm English too and Fran looked as confused as I felt when they played that really long version of Jerusalem." 12.41pm: One more final in the pool yet to come: the Men's 200m Freestyle. 12.18pm: After a rush of events, here is the latest medals table : Total medals: 2 - England, India, Malaysia, Singapore 12.16pm: Especially for Claire Balding, here are the words to Jerusalem: And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among those dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold: Bring me my arrows of desire: Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land. 12.13pm: It's the Para Sport 50m S9 Freestyle Women Finals Final. And South African Natalie Du Toit claims gold. Annabelle Williams claims silver and Stephanie Millward of England the bronze. Du Toit is normally a distance swimmer, so claiming the 50m is even more impressive. 12.12pm: I have an email from Lynne in Australia: "I'm a Brit watching the games on TV in Melbourne whilst reading your blog to find out what really happens, as only events where the Aussies win get any coverage. After the shock of England beating them in two consecutive events, they were totally bemused by the playing of "Jerusalem".

After shuffling their papers and consulting their ear pieces, they announced that the anthem playing was called "Jerusalem", and the atheltes had chosen it from the soundtrack of "Chariots of Fire." Australian TV - always funny, not always intentionally." Pinterest close 12.06pm: The version of Jerusalem playing at the Games was recorded by The Grimethorpe Colliery Band who became famous for providing the music in Yorkshire miners' movie "Brassed Off". I have the soundtrack album to that film: it's great. 11.59am: Fran Halsall, whose gold it was, says she would have preferred Land of Hope and Glory. I seem to remember that Team England had a vote on its website asking which song should be sung as the anthem. Indeed, found it, here is the result of the poll .

11.55am: Some shooting results , as per below-the-line requests: Pairs 25m Pistol Women: Gold India, Silver Australia, Bronze England Pairs 10m Air Rifle Men: Gold India, Silver England, Bronze Bangladesh 11.53am: Andy Bull, who seems to have conquered his technical glitches, is now both posting below the line and has written some more of his experiences: " Chaos aside, the Commonwealth Games can still be a wonderful experience - For all the flaws, Delhi has made an enormous effort and the positives of being here are beginning to shine through." 11.49am: Claire Balding on the BBC says that they should be playing Land of Hope and Glory for England's golds because she knows the words. Personally, I know the words to Jerusalem better. What do you think? Pinterest close 11.42am: We're about to hear Jerusalem get its first podium outing. Jerusalem is the official English anthem at these games. Recreate the scene yourself by clicking on the Youtube clip above.

11.42am: Pickett gold, Leisel Jones of Australia picks up silver and Kate Heywood of England gets bronze 11.39am: And the winner is Pickett of Australia. 11.37am: And now it's the women's 50m breaststroke final. Again there are three Australians. And Andy Bull is updating below the line too.... Gold 11.35am: And another gold to England. Liam Tancock with a fast start wins relatively comfortably for such a short race. Australia again get silver and bronze. 11.33am: Now it's the men's 50m backstroke final. Featuring three Aussies, two Kiwis, and one each from England, Wales and Canada. 11.30am: So, England's first gold in the women's 50m butterfly, claimed by a distance of 0.03 seconds and a new British record. Australians Guehrer and Seebohm come second and third. Gold 11.30am: Fran Halsall of England claims gold!

11.28am: First of a series of swimming finals, the women's 50m butterfly, featuring three Aussies, two English, two Canadian and one Welsh swimmer. The Australians have the central lanes and will be hoping for a 1-2-3. 11.26am: For the Scots out there, @sportscotland tweets : "want a round up of yesterday's #cwg results from @team_scotland #tsdelhi? " 11.03am: Australia have just claimed the third (and final) gold medal of the day on the cycling track. Jack Bobridge held off New Zealander Jesse Sergeant to win the 4000m individual pursuit. So, all three cycling golds today for Australia. Most of Britain's best cyclists, however, are elsewhere . The official weRengland twitter feed even tweets: "No cycling medals this time as Aussies rule #delhi2010 #CWG" 10.58am: Five swimming finals coming up very shortly... 10.49am: Australia are back in the medals, picking up two early golds on the opening day of track cycling.

Anna Meares set a new Games record to defend her 500m time trial title in a 1-2 for Australia, with Kaarle McCulloch winning silver. Wales' Becky James won bronze. Then Scott Sunderland added another Aussie gold, breaking Sir Chris Hoy's Commonwealth record in the men's 1000m time trial. Mohd Rizal Tisin of Malaysia was second and New Zealand's Eddie Dawkins claimed his country's first medal in third place. NineMSN quotes Meares's planning for London 2012 : "I don't think I've reached my peak - I'm only 27 currently and for a female track cyclist, you're looking at your late 20s, early 30s to get your peak performance. With another two years under my belt, I'm quite confident - especially with rides like today - those little improvements are going to still happen." Meares is eyeing three gold medals in Delhi. She and McCulloch will be partners in the team sprint.

10.45am: Commonwealth Games organisers have ordered an inspection of all food at the athletes village after Australians fell ill after eating there, reports the Sydney Morning Herald , which adds: Swimmers Ryan Napoleon and Rob Hurley, and swim coach Matt Brown, suffered a classic case of Delhi Belly on Sunday night after eating a meat bolognese pasta at the village dining hall. "Spaghetti bolognese". Is that really the food that creates a "classic case of Delhi Belly"? 10.31am: Back to Delhi, but keeping with the India v Australia theme: these two countries are now joint top of the medals table , with seven each. Australia has more golds (4-2). And I suspect that they will ratchet up a bunch more when the swimming finals resume shortly. V.V.S Laxman guides India to a one wicket victory in Mohali. Picture: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images 10.14am: Given that most of you below the line want to talk about the cricket, here's a picture of VVS Laxman guiding India to victory over Australia, here's a story (which will be further updated), and here is the scorecard .

Gunning for gold: India's Abhinav Bindra prepares to shoot in the 10m air rifle pairs. Photograph: Manish Swarup/AP 10.03am: Not only have the Indian shootists claimed two golds, the 10m air rifle pair also broke their own Games record, set four years ago. The Times of India reports their impressive looking scores (if anyone would care to explain how this system works, please do so below): World record holder Gagan...shot a spectecular sequence of 99, 100, 100, 99, 100, 100 to total a grand 598, while Beijing Olympic gold medalist, Bindra's series read 100, 98 ,99, 100, 99, 99 for a total of 595 in the first shooting event of the Games. 9.58am: Exciting news from Andy Bull in Delhi today: he's managed to smuggle his cigarettes in today. ( Yesterday you may remember they were confiscated by security , leaving a man in severe nicotine withdrawal).

Instead the overenthusiastic security men tried to confiscate his dictaphone with the phrase "recording devices are not allowed, sir". Commonsense prevailed. Throughout the tournament we will bring you Andy's regular complaints. 9.34am: Maybe it's not going to be Australia's year. Maybe, just maybe it's going to be India's. At Mohali the Indian cricketers snuck home by one wicket and with a dubious umpiring decision at the last, mainly due to some great batting by Tendulkar and Laxman. And here in Delhi India has claimed it first and second gold medals of its home tournament. After Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang bagged gold for the men's 10m air rifle pair's event, Anisa Syyed and Rahi Sarnobat won second gold medal for India in 25m standard pistol pairs event. 9.27am: There will be a host of swimming finals, starting with the 50m women's butterfly, due to start at 4pm in India . Which by my reckoning is 11.30am BST. I think. At least according to this timezone map .

How much more of this will we see today? Australians celebrate gold at the first day of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Photograph: REUTERS/Tim Wimborne 9.06am: Welcome to day two of the sporting action at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Action today includes a series of swimming finals, cycling, shooting and gymnastics. There's been much talk about the size of the crowds - small to negligible - and what could be done about it. There are suggestions of free tickets being given to children. But sport watching in India is a complicated business. Today has just seen the conclusion of an absolutely fascinating contest between the two best cricket teams in the world , watched by a very small crowd. If you want to catch up on day one's action, there was the liveblog and here is a gallery . Pain no obstacle for England's Danielle Brown as she claims Commonwealth gold | Sport | The Guardian Close This article is 6 years old Any of the athletes in Delhi worrying about their gippy tummies should seek out Danielle Brown in the athletes' village tonight.

If they want a lesson in just what it is possible to achieve in sport when you are suffering, the 22-year-old English archer is a good place to start. Brown was a key part of the English team that won gold in the compound archery today , and has a lot more to worry about than a bout of diarrhoea. She suffers from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, which means she is in constant pain and unable to stand for any length of time. Brown competes leaning on a stool ("a bike seat on a tripod" she calls it) which was designed and built for her at Loughborough University. Brown stood once during the final – to embrace her team-mates, Nichola Simpson and Nicky Hunt, after they had won the gold. Brown has already won four para-sport world championships, and a Paralympic gold. Now she is the first disabled English athlete to win a medal for the able-bodied team at the Commonwealth Games . "It's an amazing feeling," she said. "I can't put it into words." The team were one point short of the world record as they beat Canada by 232 points to 229 in the final. Her emotions were not the only thing she could not articulate.

Brown had stayed up all night trying to learn the words to England's new team anthem, Jerusalem, just in case they won. "I had it down to a tee," laughed Brown, "but when I got on the podium my brain just scrambled and I couldn't remember a thing." You can understand why she was overwhelmed. Brown fell ill in 2001. As a child she had played a lot of sport, but suddenly every time she went running her feet started to hurt. She was 11, when on a walking holiday with her family in Scotland it struck. "I just couldn't do it, I was in too much pain." By the time she was 13 illness had become "a full-blown condition, suddenly all of that activity was taken away from me". "I'd get home, do my homework and then had nothing to do," she said in a recent interview, "[it] drove me nuts. I needed something to do. Someone on my school bus said her dad did archery at Aire Valley near Bingley and, because it didn't involve running, it sounded like something I could do. My parents bought me a beginner's course for my 15th birthday.

I was absolutely awful but really enjoyed it and it went from there." At that point her condition had not been diagnosed. It was only when she was 16 that doctors at Great Ormond Street finally realised what was wrong. Until that point she had tried all kinds of treatments, from acupuncture through kinesiology to physiotherapy. None of them worked. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy has no cure. "I'd get home from school every day and cry," she said, "because I'd been walking around all day and was in so much pain. I was walking like a drunk person but my friends were brilliant. I'd veer off in one direction and they would grab my arm and off we'd go again. You're going through that really horrible period growing up and I was also trying to cope with a disability I didn't have a name for." As good as she was at it, archery was just a hobby. In 2007 she started a law degree at Leicester University. That same year she won two golds at the world archery championships and decided to put her degree course on hold to compete at the Beijing Paralympics, where she claimed another gold. Brown has since completed her degree this year, earning a first.

That was despite having to commute three times a week from Leicester to Lilleshall to train. It seems incredible that anyone should be able to summon the self-control required to excel at archery when suffering from the kind of pain Brown deals with on a daily basis, but she thinks that, in a way, her illness has been a help as well as a hindrance. "With my disability I had to be mentally strong. For me, the worst time of the day is morning when I have to get out of bed and it is just a nightmare being in so much pain. I just have to put all that to one side. So I guess in sports that also helps me. I had to develop strategies to cope with the pain." Her boyfriend, Ali Jawad, is an amazing character himself. He was born without legs, but competes at these Games in the para-sport weightlifting. It was only because of his encouragement that Brown is in Delhi at all. Making the switch to the able-bodied team was never something that motivated her greatly. "I've never really thought of it in those terms," she said, "but there's been quite a lot of media interest, which has opened my eyes to it.

To be honest, I was not going to turn up for the selection trials. I qualified three days before the closing dates because I was in Arizona at that time. I thought to myself: 'Do I really want to go back and within five days turn up for the trials?' I'm glad I did." Commonwealth Games: The Opening Ceremony from Celtic Park Commonwealth Games: The Opening Ceremony from Celtic Park ALL THE NEWS, ACTION AND REACTION LIVE FROM GLASGOW 2014 AS IT HAPPENS! By Duncan Mackay, Nick Butler, Paul Osborne and Gary Anderson at Celtic Park Click refresh for latest updates. All times stated are British Good night from Celtic Park But for now, it is Good Night! 00:30 So, after a thoroughly spectacular opening, tomorrow it is the turn of the athletes as the Glasgow 2014 sports programme begins in earnest. Join us tomorrow morning to follow all the action every step of the way. BREAKING NEWS! UNICEF announce £2.5 million raised at Opening Ceremony.

00:25 We are going to close up the live blog very soon here in Celtic Park - there are not many other journalists left now.- but I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we all have. Gary Anderson's' report on the Opening Ceremony can now be read here. Our latest insidethegames picture gallery also contains many of the best images from tonight. And if that is not enough to whet your appetite, here are a couple more of the best snaps. Praise for public transport Credit to @ScotRail for how well organised the @Glasgow2014 transport has been tonight - Even Glasgow's public transport system seems to have raised to the challenge of the Commonwealth Games, as David Duncan sings their praises.

Celtic representation in Celtic Park The Hoops took centre stage at the #2014ceremony this evening courtesy of Tonga's @lomalitomoala (KK) #CelticPark - It may have been a little different for a normal evening at Celtic Park, but green and white hoops were still a feature...for one team at least This is after Celtic fans had to travel to Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby in Edinburgh, for their Champions League qualifying match against KR Reykjavik. They won 4-0, so it was more than worth the extra commute. 00:08 We are going to keep providing updates for the next few minutes here in Celtic Park, as the reaction continues to come in. Barely half an hour after the Ceremony's conclusion, the Stadium is already unrecognisable from before, after a sterling effort by all the staff and volunteers The Athletes' Oath had a Scottish flavour 00:00 UNICEF have just announced they have made £2.5 million ($4.26 million/€3.16 million) from tonight's event. We will bring you more news on that stunning UNICEF figure as and when we get it.

23:57 Most people have now left Celtic Park, but the large number of volunteers remaining have broken into a spontaneous burst of Flower of Scotland. Stirring stuff. What a great Opening Ceremony! Such an amazing Atmosphere. Very proud to be Scottish. @Glasgow2014 #CommonwealthGames #Glasgow2014 - Allan Wells, the Olympic 1980 100 metres gold medallist, who was the first athlete to carry the Queen's Baton at Buckingham Palace last October. Glasgow 2014 is declared open by The Queen!! 23:47 That spot of bother with opening the Baton was the Glasgow 2014 equivalent of the fifth Ring failing to light at Sochi 2014. But, like on that occasion, it did not detract from a thoroughly magnificent Opening Ceremony. And, as reporter Paul Osborne and Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian Philip Barker both seem to recall, there were also some problems opening the Baton to put the message in, when the Relay began at Buckingham Palace last October... If ever there was a time to market a device for opening tricky contraptions.

And also, some pictures have shown The Queen did, after all, crack a smile at all that palaver. 23:40 And the Ceremony is over. The sporting action will now begin. 23:34 "It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the XX Commonwealth Games, Open,"concludes the Queen, at the end of her speech. The speech in full: "At Buckingham palace last October I placed this message in a specially crafted Baton and passed it on to a number of Batonbearers. Over the past 288 days the Baton has visited all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth, crossing every continent in a journey of more than 10,000 miles. "The Baton 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 her in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements, for the warmth of its people, for the Opening Ceremony of the Family Games" "To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours..

Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us. You remind us that young people, those under of 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 it on television. Together, you all play a part in strengthening our friendships in this modern and vibrant association of nations." Queen clearly heavy handed when putting that baton top on 288 days ago. @chrishoy to the rescue! #openingceremony @Glasgow2014 Chris Hoy. Exactly the man you need to get the lid off your jar of jam. @Glasgow2014 - The struggle to open the Baton has cemented the legend of Sir Chris Hoy 23:31 Prince Imran is struggling to open the Baton. It reminds me of struggling valiantly to open a tightly sealed marmalade jar. Sir Chris Hoy is on hand to help out. What must The Queen be thinking...? She does not smile.

But finally the job is done. Prince Imran hands it over with a beaming smile. There are not many major leaders who would have been so unembarrassed by that situation... 23:28 Grass-roots volunteers from the world of sport emerge and set off to deliver the Baton, as Julie Fowlis sings Smeorach 23:26 Prince Imran of Malaysia, the Commonwealth Games Federation President who is also an International Olympic Committee member, gives the final speech. He announces the Queen's baton's arrival back into stadium. It is carried by a Jamaican schoolgirl called Jenica, passed to a group of volunteers who work in Scottish sport and them on to Sir Chris Hoy. Sir Chris was passed the Baton by his 97-year-old his great uncle Andy Coogan - one of the six-time Olympic gold medal winner's greatest sporting inspirations Shooter Susan Nattrass leading out the Canadian delegation earlier on 23:22 Gordon Matheson, leader of the Glasgow City Council, is up next. "Whilst you've been training or saving and making travel plans. Everything is in place so you can perform at your best and have the time of your lift in this beautiful and friendly city.

And so we are gathered here in this stadium and in front of television screens across the city and throughout the world." "Our time has come. Let Glasgow flourish. And as for the Games. Bring. It. On" 23:18 First up is Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. He introduces an impeccably observed moments silence for victims of the Malaysia Airlines crash. "On behalf of the people of this beautiful city, welcome to Glasgow," he concludes, to a deafening crescendo. Salmond is embarking on a "self-denying ordinance" to avoid the question of Scottish Independence for the duration of the Games to keep sport at the forefront. He is doing well so far at avoiding temptation to break from that trend. 23:15 Next it is the athletes' oath, then we have the concluding speeches. Woops. @IanThorpe introduced during @Glasgow2014 opening ceremony as a 4-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist. He's won 10! #legend - Alexandra Factor ‏spots a rare error.

23:11: Comedian Billy Connelly makes an appearance on the big screen as he gives tribute to the late Nelson Mandela; a man who has a huge connection to the City of Glasgow. "So there was a man – Nelsen Mandela," he starts. "And do you know this is the first time the Commonwealth family has been together since he died - so I've got to tell you a story about him - and Glasgow. "Back in 1981 when he was still in prison, Glasgow decided to award Nelson the Freedom of the City Now this was the first city in the world to stand up and make such a public show of support for him and it was a big deal" "The virtual orchestra now playing is very similar to the virtual choir seen at the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony. This song is Road to the Isles, a famous traditional Scottish song in the Songs of the Hebrides collection." - insidethegames Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian trawls his unrivalled bank of Opening Ceremony memories. 23:06 There were six representatives from each of the six regions bringing out the flag.

Squash player Nicol David, swimmer Ian Thrope, judoka Graham Randall, sprinter Shelley Ann Fraser-Pryce, distance runner Kip Kenna and wheelchair racer Chantal Peticlerc. Well done to all the Scottish Terrier Owners with their dogs...Scottish Terriers you were amazing with all the noise! [email protected] - The Scottie dogs continue to trend on Twitter But there continue to be fears over their welfare, something Glasgow 2014 are doing to their best to allay. Glasgow 2014 have tweeted again. "‏Don't worry, they were taken round by their owners so will be heading home after the ceremony! Thanks, Glasgow 2014," they insist. "Weren't they all well behaved, I don't think any of them left any sort of deposit in the Stadium," reflects Philip Barker. 23:01 After the teams had completed their march, Robbie Burns verse flashed on screen. "Wi' joy unfeigned brothers and sisters meet" What an incredible reception! Never been so proud to be welsh!!

@TeamWales thank you @Glasgow2014 - Welsh team captain, Paralympian Aled Davies 22:58 Two Scottish legends in actor James McAvoy and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy appear to give a final plea for a UNICEF donation. Glasgow 2014 are aiming to set a new precedent for all future ceremonies to reflect. Remember, text 'FIRST' to 70333 to donate £5 now. Weightlifter Mercy Obiero leads in the Kenyan team 22:51 Wow! It was quite an effort. But every single Flagbearer has now appeared. Cue the return of Rod Stewart... He is singing Can't Stop Me Now. "There have been many opinions on the attire chosen for the Scots at these Games. I'm still unsure myself. I'm all for a kilt, and the colour blue. But together... Maybe not... Maybe they'll experience what we journalists at insidethegames do everytime we don the infamous green and pink tie..." - Reporter Paul Osborne knows what it is like to wear questionable uniform. 22:47 And then it is Scoootlnnndddd!!! Finally.

The moment most of these fans have been dying to see. It's veteran judoka Euan Burton with the host nation team. "Don't you think the Scottish uniform looks like a can of Iron Bru?" insidethegames Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian Philip Barker asks. 22:46 The anticipation in Celtic Park builds as our penultimate team Wales make their way into the Stadium led by rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones. 22:44 Malta are next with Kevin Moore carrying the flag while cyclist Martyn Irvine takes the honour for Northern Ireland. Irvine became the first Irishman to win a World Track Championship gold in 117 years in 2013. 22:43 Gibraltar come in next with Chris Walker at the Helm, followed by Chris Simpson and Guernsey. The Isle of Man team follow Flagbearer Tim Kneale into the Stadium before Stephen Le Coulliard leads in the Jersey contingent. 22:41 Now for perhaps the most popular continent inside Celtic Park as teams from Europe get set to walk-the-walk. First in are athletes from Cyprus led by skeet shooter Georgios Achilleos.

I hear a subtle (non-biased) cheer erupt from next to me as England enter the Stadium led by British and world champion squash player Nick Matthew. No boos though, for the Auld Enemy in Celtic Park. That is good to see despite the Scottish Independence referendum in two months time. Sport is well and truly trumping politics tonight. Stunning #openingceremony for the Commonwealth Games - and Rod Stewart! Perfect start to @Glasgow2014. - British Prime Minister David Cameron is enjoying himself 22:36 Mike Brownlee leads the Falkland Islands before Geron Williams and team Guyana. Last but not least for the Americas is Simon Henry who may have been hoping for a lay down this evening after spending 10 days travelling to Scotland with his St Helena team mate. 22:35 First up is Belize who are led by Kate Sealy, followed by Micah Franklin and the Bermuda team. The crowd are on their feet again as Canada take to the spotlight, led by shooter Susan Nattrass. It seems a while ago now that India entered the Stadium 22:33 The Americas are the least represented continent at these Games with just six teams set to make to compete.

22:32 The squad from Trinidad and Tobago joining them inside Celtic Park as Keshorn Walcott bears the flag duty, while Angelo Garland lead the final team from the Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands. 22:31 Grenada is up next with 400m Olympic champion Kirani James up top with the flag. James, and Williams for that matter, begin a long list of Athletics competitors holding the flags for their countries as Jamaica's Warren Weir takes the honour for his nation. Weir finished third behind Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake in a Jamaican 1-2-3 over 200m at London 2012. He's followed by Julius Morris for Montserrat and Antoine Adams for Saint Kitts and Nevis. Next we're joined by St Lucia as they march through the Stadium at the heels of Levern Spencer. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines come next wtith Kineke Alexander taking hold of the flag.

"The last time the Commonwealth Games was held in Scotland, in Edinburgh in 1986, Bermuda participated in the Opening Ceremony but then did not end up competing, as they made a late decision to join the boycott, of which 32 of the 59 eligible countries participated in." - insidethegames Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian Philip Barker hits back at Duncan Mackay's effort with a stat of his own. 1-1 in terms of quirky Caribbean knowledge for these two great doyens of Olympic journalism. Don't worry, everything is being done to ensure the dogs are happy! They are also being led around by their owners :) - Glasgow 2014 try to assure worried fans on Twitter about the health of the dogs. 22:25 Next up is everybody's favourite tropical Island, Barbados led by Shane Brathwaite. The team from the British Virgin Islands come in behind Flagbearer Chantel Malone followed closesly by Michele Smith and her team from the Cayman Islands. Yet another team Paul Osborne has to ask what the country abbreviation stands for as Dominica make their way to the stage led by Brendan V A Williams. "Little known fact about Anguilla, who have just marched in.

The biggest Anguillan population beyond its sandy shores is in Slough, where an estimated 2,000 people with links to the island live. Many of their grandparents arrived in the Berkshire town in the late 1950's and others followed, making their mark on the area's culture, particularly in sport. Indeed, former Hampshire fast bowler Cardigan Connor, who started his career at Slough CC, is the team's Chef de Mission for the third consecutive Commonwealth Games. - insidethegames editor Duncan Mackay, who started his career at the Slough Observer, offers this gem of a fact. 22:20 A nice introduction for the Caribbean as Shaggy's Mr Boombastic welcomes Rechelle Meade and her Anguilla team mates. Just 10 seconds of Shaggy seemed enough for the people of Glasgow as the music shifts for sprinter Daniel Bailey and Antigua. The Bahamas come next with Arianna Vaderpool-Wallace given the honours with the flag Malaysian athletes entered the Stadium wearing armbands 22:16 Great to see national themes being so embraced tonight.

After some soulful African drum music, the beat of Jamican-American singer Shaggy is played. It's Mr Boombastic, reporter Paul Osborne tells me. 22:15 Between each continent, we have another UNICEF message. As well as the noble cause, it provides an opportunity for us to catch up with our relentless quest to name all 71 Flagbearers. 22:12 Swaziland are next with Phumlile Ndzinisa taking the flag. Interestingly she is the first athlete to have the word (female) written next to her name... 22:11 Our first squash player of the evening James Fayla leads in the team from Sierra Leone.: The octane levels rise again as South Africa make their way into the Stadium. They are led by Rugby Sevens star Cecil Sebastian Afrika. Bringing up the rear for the African teams we have Tanzania led by Seleman Salum Kidunda,, Uganda with Charles Ssekyaaya at the helm and finally Zambia with judoka Punza Mathews. What are you doing with that big screen after the #openingceremony @Glasgow2014?! I'm needing a new tele.

Let me know, I can get a van... - Scott Brown is being entrepreneurial as he watches the Ceremony. 22:08 Another huge cheer goes up as Nigeria make their way onto the yellow, red, green and blue brick road. Maryam Usman leads this contingent. Rwanda comes next with the first powerlifter of the night, Theogene Hakizimana. Seychelles follow with weightlifter Clementina Agricole bearing their flag. 22:08 Mozambique come next with Flagbearer Kurt Couto, while Namibia's Johannes Helalia follows closely behind. 22:07 Cyclist Leonard Mataya Tsoyo comes next at the head of the Malawi team, followed by Kate Foo Kune with the team from Mauritius. Always a good pub quiz question: "Which continent is Mauritius in?" A pretty easy one if you are familiar with covering NOC business with insidethegames, however. 22:04 It's time for Africa now and first up we have Bostwana led by 800m runner Nijel Amos.

He was second behind David Rudisha in the 800m final at London 2012, Organising Committee's chairman, and former 800m runner, Sebastian Coe's favourite moment of the Games. Cameroon are next through the door with yet another weightlifter holding the flag. This time it's Vanetius Njuh. Always ones to put on a good show, the Ghanian team coming out all dancing. All bar Flagbearer Janet Amonsah who seems to have her mind on waving that big ol' flag of hers Big cheer for Kenya next with Mecy Obiero at the helm. They're followed by one of reporter Paul Osborne's favourite team Lesotha with boxer Mokhotho Moroke holding the flag 21:59 And another good reaction... This time it's Jenly Tegu Wini for the Solomon Islands. A boxer is given the honour next as Uaine Fa Flagbears - we are creating new verb's tonight - for Tonga. So good they named him twice...Lapua Lapua comes in ahead of the Tuvalu contingent.

Last but not least for the Oceania region is Vanuatu with our first table tennis player at the head, Yoshua Shing. @Glasgow2014 you might need some extra chairs for all those Aussies Britain's Chef de Mission at London 2012 Andy Hunt. They're playing Kylie Minogue, widely tipped to play the Closing Ceremony on August 3. 21:56 And they're followed by Niue led by lawn bowls player Hina Reriti. The smallest team here at the Games come next as John Christian leads out the Norfolk Islands. He is distantly related to Fletcher Christian, master's mate on board HMS Bounty in 1789, Philip Barker tells me. "Most people are in those parts, I think," he adds. Great reaction for Papua New Guinea as Steven Kai comes in bearing the flag, hardly a tough task for the weightlifter. Another weightlifter carrying the flag for Samoa as Ele Opeloge takes the honour 21:52 The team from Kiribati comes in behind Flagbearer David Katoatau and is swfitly joined by Nauru led by weightlifter Itte Detenamo.

Nauru have been billed as the "pound for pound" strongest nation in the Commonwealth. They are certainly strong - weightlifting is their foremost sport, and has brought all 28 of the Pacific island nation's medals. Shot Putter Valerie Adams is also a strong athlete. She leads New Zealand out. Crowd reaction is that the Scottie dogs have stolen the show! @Glasgow2014 Francesca Osowska ‏agrees with insidethegames editor Duncan Mackay about the Scottish Terriers 21:51 Huge cheer for Fiji as Litia Tikoisuua bears the flag. Remember Fiji only just made it to these Games after their late re-introduction into the Commonwealth. 21:50 Next up is Oceania with cyclist Anna Meares the first to enter the Stadium for 2006 Commonwealth Games hosts Australia. The Delhi 2010 medal table toppers have a massive contingent, as you would expect. Patricia Taea leads in a slightly smaller delegation from the Cook Islands. 21:49 Now it is the turn of Oceania.

The music included Mundian To Bach Ke by Panjabi MC for Asia, it is the bang crash wallop of Back in Black by AC/DC to greet Oceania. 21:46 And finally Sudesh Peiris leads out the last Asian squad - Sri Lanka. 21:45 Hassan Saadi leads out the Maldives. He's followed by Azhar Hussain leading the Pakistan contingent. Gymnast Lim Heem Wei is then given the honour for Singapore. 21:43 Then it is Bangladesh, led by shooter Igbal Islam, followed by cyclist Muhammad Imaadi Aba Aziz leading the Brunei Darussalam contingent. Or Brunei Jerusalem, as we heard in the pre-show... Cyclist Fatehah Mustapa leads the Malaysian team, who are all wearing black armbands in recognition of the victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane crash last week. 21:41 Another message from Ewan McGregor concerning UNICEF donations. And then cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar appears with another plea. 21:37 And it is 2010 Commonwealth Games hosts India up first! Each team is being led out by a Scottish terrier dog.

"I just love that," quips insidethegames editor Duncan Mackay. Shooter Vijay Kumar is carrying the Indian flag. 21:36 500 athlete marshal's enter the arena, wearing rather audacious attire and carrying a chair apiece ready for the first 500 athletes to walk through the gates. 21:34 Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont emerges from the plane on the River Cylde carrying the Baton, and the all important message within. Calvin Harris's Feel So Close is playing. The dancers had to rehearse an alternative song to this one at the weekend, before permission for it to be played was belatedly granted. Opening ceremonies have upped their game since London 2012. You can't beat a Tunnock's tea cake! So excited for @Glasgow2014 - English javelin thrower Goldie Sayers is fairly easily impressed. 21:31 The Loch Lomond Sea Plane emerges from a cloud-filed sky carrying the Queen's Baton.

After 286 days and a 190,000-kilometre journey spanning 70 nations and territories since it was set on its way by The Queen last October, the Baton is almost home. 21:29 Duo Sleep at Last are performing against a Scottish backdrop to what surely must be the most laid back version of The Proclaimers' 500 Miles ever heard. An impeccably observed National Anthem is heard. 21:24 A Royal Parade as the Queen makes her way, in her car, around the stadium. There are no boos I can hear, just unanimous cheering. She's still pretty popular north of the border these days. That said, she probably hasn't set foot in Celtic Park much before. After Croke Park earlier this year, she is ticking off the Republican-associated strongholds. 21:22 Good effort by Rod there, belting out the final bars of Rhythm of My Heart.

Prince Imran, Lord Smith of Kelvin and Michael Cavanagh make their way onto to the stage and are quickly joined by everybody's favourite, Susan Boyle, who sings Mull of Kintyre to a montage of Her Majesty the Queen Anyone else watching the Glasgow 2014 ceremony? This what happens when they're left to their own devices... - Robert Oliver is enjoying the Scottishness so far British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband almost smiling as he takes his seat 21:17 Here is Rod Stewart!! I want a Tannocks Tea Cake outfit! @Glasgow2014 brilliant opening ceremony so far.... - Reaction on Twitter from Mattie Richardson 21:13 Amy MacDonald is now singing her own version of Rhythm of My Heart. She was on with Philip Barker on the One Show earlier, but she's entertaining 40,000 people in Celtic Park now. The raucous shouting of the opening segment has become more genteel clapping now. 21:10 Do you like this so far? I ask insidethegames editor Duncan Mackay. "It's brilliant," he shouts back.

I haven't seen enthusiasm like that from him since Slough Town were promoted to the Southern League Premier Division. 21:07 And wait, is that an inflatable Loch Ness monster? Yes it is, we've already seen every Scottish stereotype I know, and we've only had seven minutes. A role of thunder to represent the Scottish weather we don't have tonight as well. An 115-strong ensemble cast are joining John Barrowman as they travel through some of Scotland's most famous of icons atop a vehicle 21:05 The camera shifts to Karen Dunbar singing in the crowd before actor John Barrowman appears from inside a giant kilt to join the action. 21:03 There is a lot of tartan on stage since I last looked, and Iron Bru. "The first 30 seconds have already banished the memory of Edinburgh 1986," insidethegames Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian turned television star Philip Barker tells me. These Ceremonies are what he lives for... 21:00 We are underway! With a message from Euan McGregor on behalf of UNICEF. "Welcome to Glasgow, Welcome to Scotland, and Welcome to the Commonwealth Games," he concludes.

The Queen arriving at Glasgow Central Station on her way to Celtic Park 20:59 "Time to smile everyone. We're going live to the world in just 60 seconds," says the announcer. 20:57 Three minutes to go. The internet has joined the excitement, by massively slowing down in speed. Not everyone is caught up in the atmosphere of the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony "Going to be controversial - but does the public care about a minority population of para athletics? Or is it just a PC thing? Amazing athletes mind but a minority group, the coverage is little over the top and might I say rather condecending in my view" - Auckland 1990 800m bronze medallist Matt Yates on Facebook 20:50 The Opening Ceremony is beginning in 10 minutes! 20:46 Speaking of protesters, there was a large group of Tamil demonstrators as well as Irish-Palestinian ones on the streets around Celtic Park.

There was a lot of angry reaction to the news, exclusively revealed by insidethegames in May, that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not planning to attend these Commonwealth Games , with protests like these having possibly contributed... 20:40 The crowd are now practising cheering the names of the countries set to parade later. "That's not good enough," says the announcer. "We can be here all night if we have to: there's 71 different names we can practise." He is asking for volunteers in the crowd to help him. "Brunei Jerusalem" says one, with the rest of stadium immediately chorusing it out. All the Palestinian protesters outside will not enjoy that one... I think he meant Brunei Darussalam. 20:38 To donate money to UNICEF today, it couldn't be easier. Simply text 'FIRST' to 70333 to donate £5 now. Check out our first live blog yesterday to see more information about the work of UNICEF. Scroll down to between 10:30 and 11:30 on the blog.

20:36 "When people wake up tomorrow, sport will have changed," concludes Lord Puttnam. "No Opening Ceremony of the future will be the same." 20:33 UNICEF chief executive Jon Sparkes has provided a further glimpse on the "special segment" the organisation will have in the Ceremony. It will come during the parade of athletes, where each nation will appear not in alphabetical order, but in order of region and territory. 20:29 A lot of singing and dancing, and a little bit of cycling, during the pre-show so far. But now a serious message courtesy of UNICEF, who are set to play a key role in tonight's proceedings. Legendary film producer Lord David Puttnam is speaking about the project. The theme tune of Chariots of Fire, one of the films he produced, is played as he appears. "Amazing atmosphere here inside Celtic Park. Stage looks great, I've got my snacks and drinks; and couldn't be more excited for the show to really get underway!

Just wish I'd brought my green and pink kilt to really get into the Scottish mood." - Reporter Paul Osborne is enjoying his first Opening Ceremony I'm very nervous and very proud to be performing at the Commonwealth Games #2014Ceremony tonight in Glasgow. - It must take a lot to make someone of Rod Stewart's stature nervous. He is the star act performing tonight. 20:22 insidethegames Olympic and Commonwealth Games historian Philip Barker was on the One Show on the BBC earlier on this evening, plugging the Ceremony. He's the good looking one on the right, in case you didn't know... Good luck to everyone involved with @Glasgow2014 - a fantastic advert for a wonderful city, and another glorious summer of sport - London Mayor Boris Johnson tweets a message of support for Glasgow 2014 20:14 The pre-show has begun. The time is a coincidence...maybe. "This is the weather we always have in Glasgow," quips the announcer. "Who knew Iron Bru was a skin colour?" 20:06 As we said in the intro earlier, this is our second blog of the day.

We had one previewing the Ceremony earlier on, which can still be read here. Since we provided a thoroughly overview of many of the Flagbearers this afternoon, we have been handed an official list of all of the other. Problem is, it is embargoed until the start of the Ceremony in 54 minutes time. So we will be keeping that quiet, as we will all the other secrets in the media guide we were handed earlier... 19:58 "Have you got enough branding there?" Glasgow 2014 executive advisor Jackie Brock-Doyle asks when surveying the insidethegames row. That is never a problem... 19:53 Excitement is building as the 40,000 people take their seats. At this stage before the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, the loudspeakers were belting out numbers by Daftpunk and Queen. Here it is music of the more Scottish variety, as bagpipes and drums reverberate around the Arena.

19:41 A four strong insidethegames team of bloggers, reporters and roving contributors are here en masse to keep you entertained throughout the evening, whether you are watching on a sofa in London, a beach in Kingston or a bar in Sydney. Or anywhere else for that matter. It wasn't the easiest journey from the Glasgow 2014 hub that is the Main Press Centre to Celtic Park. A bus journey followed by a lengthy trot around the stadium followed by the customary security procedures - which included having to take off our glasses, for the first time certainly in my memory. But all of this was more than worth it just to take in the atmosphere soaking this grand old arena - usually the home of Glasgow Celtic Football Club - on a beautiful sunny everything which epitomises everything you don't usually associate with Scottish weather. Hundreds of spectators walked in alongside us, most of whom were Scottish but we also glimpsed a splattering of Irish and English flags, as well as the occasional Malaysian and Bangladeshi one. 19:30 Hello and welcome to the second insidethegames live blog of the day, and this time it's for the big one.

It's only the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, getting underway here in Celtic Park in just an hour and a half from now. Timeline

Question: Since 2010 what is played at the Commonwealth Games when an anthem for an English athlete is needed?
Answer: Jerusalem