Commonwealth Games 2018 opening ceremony: As it happened

With a round of pyrotechnics lighting up the Carrara Stadium, the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games concludes. 

But before leaving you, here's the DAY 1 SCHEDULE OF INDIA as the competition kicks off on Thursday.

We will be back with all the live updates from the CWG when the action begins tomorrow. Do join us back. Till then, good bye! 

On behalf of the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales declares the XXI Commonwealth Games OPEN! #SHARETHEDREAM pic.twitter.com/SQispC8KZi

— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

Charles, Prince of Wales, declares the 2018 Commonwealth Games open.

The baton reaches the hands of its final bearer Sally Pearson who hands it over for the message to be taken out and read.

MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER BEFORE
Clear message from the President of the CGF that the Commonwealth, today, is more relevant than ever before. #ModernCommonwealth #MoreRelevantThanEverBefore #LoveTheCommonwealth @commonwealthsec @gc2018 pic.twitter.com/R5blLwfOYc

— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

The Commonwealth Games torch is retracing its journey to #GC2018... and what spectacular scenes they are! #7CommGames #ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/dGryNr4Fny

— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 4, 2018

The Queens Baton is inside the arena now as the Games move closer to be officially 'Opened'

The CGF Ceremonial Flag is being carried into the arena by some of the celebrated CWG athletes. 

The Parad of Nations at the Opening Ceremony has concluded as the cultural performances resume.

#Proud moment for us to see our pride #NationalFlag flying high in the hands of @Pvsindhu1 at #GC2018@afiindia @BAI_Media @BFI_basketball @BFI_official @OfficialCFI @TheHockeyIndia @OfficialNRAI @indiasquash @ttfitweet @WeightliftingIN @FederationWrest @ParalympicIndia pic.twitter.com/6I63YG74p0

— IOA - Team India (@ioaindia) April 4, 2018

A huge cheer as hosts and the most powerful Commonwealth sports nation, Australia, make their way into the stadium led by their hockey great Mark Knowles and welcomed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. 

Get around them @TurnbullMalcolm! #GC2018 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/0xVSM3Qpmp

— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 4, 2018

Strong work from Mark Knowles. https://t.co/jBZ5dzb87y #GC2018 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/GMVb3P6EXW

— Mike Pavitt (@michael_pavitt) April 4, 2018

You won't see may flagbearers doing that, but the Nauru flagbearer is having a ball

Look at the moves from Nauru's flag-bearer

Outstanding. #7CommGames #GC2018 @ShareTheDream pic.twitter.com/IqhOBOzIni

— 7CommGames (@7CommGames) April 4, 2018

Saint Helena have been able to travel to these Games, for the first time, by air after their new airport opened in October  #GC2018 #CommonwealthGames #OpeningCeremony

— insidethegames (@insidethegames) April 4, 2018

And here comes India, led by badminton ace PV Sindhu as the flagbearer. India's best show at the CWG was in 2010 Games in Delhi when they won 101 medals in all to end up second on the medals tally. 

The Asian Continent's parade begins with Bangladesh.

The entry of nations in the March Past is continent-wise. The African continent nations have just finished their march and now is the turn of squads from the American continent, led by Belize and followed by Canada - another CWG powerhouse.  

Photo Courtesy: CGF Twitter

Photo Courtesy: CGF Twitter

Jazz has now got her hands on the flag and we’re set to enter the stadium!

#TîmCymru #TeamWales pic.twitter.com/vb26h9oO7a

— Team Wales (@TeamWales) April 4, 2018

Ghana make their way into the stadium, and their contingent includes a 14-year-old swimmer named Rebecca.

Interesting innovation in terms of the signboard on which the contingent's name is displayed - it's a surfboard. And the announcer is standing atop a lifeguard tower. Enough to remind you are in Gold Coast. 

A huge cheer for the English contingent as it enters the stadium. England have regularly been among the top three, if not at the top, in the CWG medals tally. 

The Athletes' March Past begins: It is being led by the last edition's hosts Scotland

Still some time before the athletes' march past begins; however, the Indian contingent (hockey stars PR Sreejesh and SV Sunil in the below picture) can't wait to enter the stadium.

All set for the @GC2018 opening ... Walking next to this legend is always proud #brother @SVSunil24 pic.twitter.com/8GmoXMsuIL

— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) April 4, 2018

Prince Charles and Camilla have arrived at the #GC2018 Opening Ceremony. Join us for our Live Blog here https://t.co/btbWrejxxK @ClarenceHouse pic.twitter.com/Hf3HOZ7noG

— Liam Morgan (@LMorgan21) April 4, 2018

The journey of Queen's Baton Relay being displayed on the big screen at the Carrara Stadium.

India's flagbearer PV Sindhu (centre) is ready to lead the contingent

Our #Champion @Pvsindhu1 is #AllSet to lead #TeamIndia in the 'Parade of the Nations' at the grand #OpeningCeremony of the @GC2018 #CommonwealthGames

Voice your support and wish us luck in our biggest #GoldQuest at the #GC2018 in #GoldCoast ! pic.twitter.com/E7Q2h3qAS2

— IOA - Team India (@ioaindia) April 4, 2018

The performances are being held in a big circle made in the centre of the stadium with an excellent light show. The theme of the ceremony seems to be the 'ísland home'. One after the other, the Australian culture, the evolution of mankind is being portrayed through the different ages. From past to the future.  

And we have kicked off. The ceremony begins with a nicely shot video of the citizens of Gold Coast welcoming people from the world to their home. Australian actor Jeff Thomson starts the proceedings with a demonstration of how the world was born and how the entire landmass was formed into different continents. A live performance follows with the tribal colour of Australia mesmerising the crowd in the stadium. The use of tribal music instruments gives the music a surreal feel to it.   

It is heavily raining in the Carrara Stadium where the opening ceremony is going to take place in a few minutes. But the downpour isn't affecting the enthusiasm of the crowd as they are braving it with their rain coats on. Here are some of the photos of the crowd which is making way to the stadium to witness the grand event. 

The Commonwealth crowds are arriving for the @GC2018 Opening Ceremony at the Gold Coast's Carrara stadium. Thanks for joining us and enjoy the show! pic.twitter.com/TmE4tr1rc7

— Commonwealth Games Federation (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

It seems there is still some time for the opening ceremony to commence. Here are some links to the run-up to the event stories that we have covered. 

Commonwealth Games Preview

India's Medal Hopes

Stay tuned..