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Let the Games begin!

Glasgow - Proudly led by Sevens rugby ace Cecil Afrika, Team South Africa took to the tartan track of Celtic Park for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday evening.

Unlike previous Games, a break in tradition saw the countries march in as part of their continental structures.

That meant that teams from Asia, Oceania and Africa got the ball rolling, in that order.

India, hosts at the last Games in New Delhi four years ago, were the first team to enter the cauldron of excitement that was Celtic Park, home of the iconic Scottish football side, Celtic Rangers.

Seven Asian nations followed them in and then it was 14 Oceania region countries who joined the party.

Music legends Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle had earlier rocked the stadium as part of a exuberant celebration of Scottish culture then it was Africa’s turn.

First African country in was Botswana, hosts of the recent second African Youth Games in Gaborone.

And then Afrika lead Team SA (roughly 180 strong) into the stadium, the 15th team from the continent, sandwiched between Sierra Leone and Swaziland.

Thursday sees the battle for medals commence with South African involved in no less than nine codes.

First opportunity for medals will come in the triathlon at Strathclyde Park where the women’s race is due to go off at 12:00 and the men’s at 16:00.



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