Soggy start for Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast

A blast froma didgeridoo, a sprinkling of royal stardust and a strong message of unity lit up the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast yesterday.

A heavy downpour lashed the 35,000 crowd at Carrara Stadium as the ceremony began, ensuring awet start to the proceedings for many in the half- covered arena. Britain’s Prince Charles and wife Camillawere among the guests and the heir to the throne who officially opened the Games later in the painstakingly planned gala.

As the ceremony sprang to life in the rain, the camera panned in on an Aboriginal family planted in the crowd and a girl with a smartphone. The message on the screen read: “Welcome to the oldest living culture on Earth.” A scene from a group of friends surfing off the beach gave way to a virtual journey through space and time.