Laidback Games opening
HEAVY showers toyed with the crowds at the start of the opening ceremony of the 21st Commonwealth Games late last night New Zealand time but the sultry evening was right in keeping with the feel of Australia’s Gold Coast.
The ceremony reflected a laidback beach lifestyle synonymous with Queensland and also featured Australian indigenous culture at Carrara Stadium.
About 35,000 people were treated to dancing, light shows and performances from the likes of RickiLee Coulter and Delta Goodrem. Then the athletes came, marching proudly behind their flags before the Prince of Wales officially declared the April 415 Games open.
The New Zealand team — 250 athletes competing in 18 events — came close to the end of the parade, with paraswimmer Sophie Pascoe leading the team around the stadium.
However, the Kiwis’ moment in the limelight passed quickly as the biggest cheer, naturally, went to the Australians at the end of the marchpast.
OTAGO athletes will be making their presence felt right from the outset at the Commonwealth Games.
Four of the province’s athletes are in action on the Gold Coast today as the Games begin.
Swimmer Carina Doyle gets things started in the pool just after 1pm when she races in the women’s 200m freestyle heats.
She will be in action again at 11.50pm in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Netballers Te Paea SelbyRickit and Shannon Francois are next on show, playing for the Silver Ferns against Uganda at 8.32pm.
They also play tomorrow, before having a day off, followed by two more game days.
Another day off follows, before the team’s highly anticipated showdown with England next Wednesday.
The semifinals and final are scheduled for April 14 and 15 respectively, should they make it that far.
Queenstown boxer Richie Hadlow is up next just after 9pm.
He fights Edrian Volcere from Seychelles in the first round of the under64kg weight division.
Tomorrow, hockey trio Kane Russell, Hugo Inglis and Nick Ross take the turf for the first time, against Canada at 1.30pm. It is the first of four pool games they will play, with matches on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday to follow, before any semifinals.
Parajavelin thrower Holly Robinson will compete on Monday night — the second night of the athletics — at 9.05pm.
The rugby sevens teams will wrap things up. Otago’s Vilimoni Koroi is in the men’s team which begins competition on April 14.
It plays Zambia, Kenya and Canada in its pool, with the playoff matches following on the final day of the Games.
Former Otago player Kelly Brazier is in the women’s team, which begins a day earlier on the Friday.
The women’s tournament is being held over three days rather than two.