The Commonwealth Games officially began in Glasgow on Thursday morning with bowls, before the opening ceremony later in the day. The city's SEC venue hosted the first event after an extra bowls session was added last week because of a higher than expected number of entries.
Play therefore started before the official opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro on Thursday evening. Glasgow stepped in at short notice to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, citing the cost of holding the event.
The city previously hosted a successful Games in 2014, although this year's instalment is on a smaller scale with 10 sports across four locations. The full sporting programme will kick off on Friday, with the first medal set to be awarded in the para weightlifting competition.
On Thursday, all attention was on the bowls, with four rinks in use, which the organisers dubbed "day zero". The men's singles and ladies pairs were the first categories.
Stands were not packed for the competition, but there was plenty of supporting noise from the crowd.
Among the early starters was Gary Kelly of Northern Ireland, who defeated Frederrick Tafatu of Niue 2-0.
"It's a great opportunity to put our sport on the stage.
"Its an absolute honour for every one of us here to be involved in the Games, whether coaches, athletes, managers, and just fantastic to be involved in nations coming together like this."
Also off to a winning start were the Australian duo of Dawn Hayman and Kelsey Cottrell, who defeated the Zambian pair of Foster Banda and Gertrude Siame.
"We were excited to be starting, it was like OK, we're on day zero so we don't have to wait as long as everyone else so let's get right into it.
"But then you're not totally sure what you're doing, or what the atmosphere's like, so you get a little bit nervous."
Dawn Hayman, the lead in the duo, is taking part in her first Games.
"I'm really soaking up the atmosphere, and I'm just super happy to be here. It's really good for us to be on when no other sports have started yet."
Brett O'Riley, the president of World Bowls, told BBC Scotland News it was an honour for bowls to be the first sport on offer at the Games.
"It's a series of firsts including a record bowls entry of countries, and a memorable milestone for our sport and its participants and officials.
The opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro later will feature performances from KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans, Calum Beattie and Nina Nesbitt among others.
74 countries will take part in the Games, with about 3,000 athletes taking part and 215 gold medals on offer.
How's the weather looking for the Commonwealth Games?
How did Glasgow end up hosting the Games?
Glasgow stepped in at short notice to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, citing the cost of holding the event. The city previously hosted a successful Games in 2014, and this year's event is smaller in scale, with 10 sports across four locations.
What happened on the first day of competition?
The first event at the SEC was bowls, with four rinks in use on what organisers called "day zero". The men's singles and ladies pairs were first on the programme, and the competition drew supportive noise despite stands that were not packed.
Which athletes and officials spoke about the occasion?
Gary Kelly of Northern Ireland said the event was a chance to showcase the sport and described it as an honour for everyone involved, including coaches, athletes and managers, to be part of nations coming together. Dawn Hayman said she was soaking up the atmosphere and was happy to be there, especially as no other sports had started yet.
Brett O'Riley, president of World Bowls, said it was an honour for bowls to be the first sport at the Games and described it as a series of firsts, including a record bowls entry of countries.
What happens next at the Games?
The opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro will take place later on Thursday and will feature performances from KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans, Calum Beattie and Nina Nesbitt among others. The full sporting programme begins on Friday, when the first medal is due to be awarded in para weightlifting.
74 countries will take part in the Games, with about 3,000 athletes and 215 gold medals on offer.
Key Facts
- The Commonwealth Games began in Glasgow on Thursday morning with bowls at the SEC venue.
- An extra bowls session was added last week because entries were higher than expected.
- The opening ceremony was due later on Thursday at the OVO Hydro.
- Glasgow replaced Victoria after the Australian state withdrew over cost concerns.
- About 3,000 athletes from 74 countries will compete for 215 gold medals.
