Big opening party sets the mood for 11 days of superb sporting action

RAIN couldn’t dampen spirits last night as Glasgow celebrated the start of the biggest sporting event in the city since the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered in George Square for the opening party of the 2018 European Championships.

And while there wasn’t a repeat of the sunny weather that marked the first week of Glasgow 2014, the Great Big Opening Party provided an entertaining mix of music, dancing and fireworks.

The sporting action kicks off today and sees the existing European Championships of cycling, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, triathlon and athletics brought together for the first time.

Actor Sanjeev Kohli, BY MICHAEL PRINGLE michael.pringle@reachplc.com who compered the party along with sports broadcaster Alison Walker, paid tribute to the volunteers supporting the 11-day event.

He said: “Ten thousand people applied to volunteer, 4000 of you got in, and a lot of you are here today. Thank you so much for your efforts, we really appreciate it.”

Performers included Nina Nesbitt and ScotsEgyptian musicians The Ayoub Sisters, who impressed the crowd with a classical version of Ed Sheeran’s Shape Of You.

The competition will span 12 venues, including sites outside Glasgow – with golf at Gleneagles, Perthshire, and diving in Edinburgh.

The athletics will take place in Berlin, which is co-hosting the games.