Commonwealth Games 2018 opening ceremony – as it happened
The Commonwealth Games got under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The 2018 Commonwealth Games get under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host.
This will be the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever put together, with spending estimated to finish at around AUS$2bn. It will be the first time women have the same number of events as men, and the most para-events incorporated with 38 in total.
England head into the Games looking to defend their crown as the most successful nation in 2014, having claimed 58 golds in Glasgow four years ago.
Follow all the action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Here is what you need to know ahead of the opening ceremony:
What time does it start?
The opening ceremony will start at around 7.30pm in Gold Coast, 10.30am in the UK.
Where does it take place?
It will take place in Carrara Stadium, a venue usually used for Aussie rules football which will play host to athletics during the Games.
How can I watch it?
The ceremony will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Who will be Team England’s flag bearer?
Alistair Brownlee will be England’s flag bearer for the Commonwealth Games. Double Olympic triathlon champion Brownlee, is defending Commonwealth champion in the individual and mixed relay races. Team England selected their flag bearer after a vote of all sport team leaders.
Australian double Olympic champion cyclist Anna Mears is looking forward to the Games.
Mears, who is from Queensland, told the BBC:
"It's done a lot for the Gold Coast. For Australia, we love sport, it's so ingrained in our culture and our history.
"I think that this will be a wonderful platform for inspiration."
The actual sporting action gets underway at around midnight tonight. This is what you've got to look forward to on Day One:
Ha! It's absolutely lashing it down in the Gold Coast. It never rains in Britain.
I bet they're well jealous of our weather.
The ceremony is underway and we're currently being treated to a song supposedly being sung by aliens.
"Hello earth, hello earth."
Always good to get off on a really weird foot.
Now we've got a huge image of the earth projected onto the floor of the stadium.
At first we see Pangaea but the digital image then changes to show the land breaking up into different continents.
Around 270million years ago all of the land on earth was joined together (Pangaea) but 200milion years ago the land separated again.
A lot of didgeridoo usage currently going on.
This opening ceremony is a little more understated than the Winter Olympics opening ceremony but, in my humble and very important opinion, it's been better so far.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments