CWG off to grand opening despite threats of rain

GOLDCOAST: Nature has this habit of spoiling the best laid plans. Otherwise, who would have expected rain in April in Queensland, called the Sunshine State.

CWG organisers would have been reminded of nature’s supremacy as unseasonal showers threatened to disrupt the opening ceremony on Wednesday night. Unseasonal rains have lashed for the last couple of days and there was a brief spell of showers before the ceremony.

But the organising committee had anticipated this spell and was well prepared. Besides the hard work, planning, coordination and enthusiasm of the people of the Sunshine State, weather gods relented and there was no disruption to the ceremony.

Gold Coast laid out a grand welcome for the 6600 athletes and thousands of others guests from 71 countries and territories.

A pageantry of Australian culture with traditional music, dance and arts took centre stage as they presented a smorgasbord of colour, water, surf and sand with local artists and musicians.

Some of Australia’s great sports stars brought the Queens Baton into the stadium for Prince Charles to read out the message of Queen Elizabeth II and declare the Games open. India vs Jamaica (women’s) Time: 2:03pm

India vs Cameroon (men’s) Time: 3:30pm

REUTERS The Carrara Stadium at Gold Coast is a riot of colours during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.