“You bet we’re ready,” declared Glasgow’s council leader as the Scottish city once again welcomed the world to the banks of the River Clyde for the 20th Commonwealth Games.
Known as an “emporium of the world” during its heyday as a trading port, the city is now braced for the arrival of 100,000 overseas sports fans and 6,500 athletes from the 71 competing nations.
Speaking at his office in the City Chambers – a grand Victorian sandstone building symbolic of Glasgow’s proud history – council leader Gordon Matheson promised a warm welcome for guests.
“The Friendly Games have come to the friendly city,” he said. “Glasgow’s always ready to welcome the world.”
When asked if the city was well-prepared, Matheson replied: “You bet we’re ready. We could have done this a year ago. It’s an enormous honour for me to be leader of the city at this time."
Nearby Buchanan Street was festooned with bunting and banners carrying the words “bring it on” in a font inspired by legendary designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the city’s most famous sons.
Children played on the statues of Clyde – the part-human, part-thistle mascot – dotted around the city, while train commuters arriving at Central Station were greeted with a giant countdown clock.
Early risers were also treated to the Queen’s Baton – the Games’ equivalent of the Olympic Torch – being zip-lined across the Clyde from the top of the Finnieston Crane, a reminder of a time when the city produced one fifth of the world’s ships and a quarter of its locomotives.
It all makes for a perfect setting for a thrilling 11 days of competition.
Olympic champions Usain Bolt and Mo Farah lead a cast of the world’s leading athletes.
World-record holders, celebrated Olympians and first-timers will vie for the 261 medal events in 17 sports.
Six-times Olympic gold medallist Bolt will bring some of his famous showmanship to the Hampden Park track as the Jamaican looks to win his first Commonwealth medal in the 4×100 metres relay.
England’s double Olympic and world champion Farah, who is fit to take part in the 5,000m and 10,000m events after recovering from abdominal pains, will also be in action in Glasgow.
David Rudisha, Kenya’s Olympic 800m champion and world record holder, is back in the city after storming to victory there at the Diamond League meeting last week while New Zealand’s Olympic and world shot put champion Valerie Adams will look to extend her unbeaten run to 54 competitions.
Australia are expected to do well in swimming with the likes of Cate Campbell, Christian Sprenger and James Magnussen in good form, but local favourite Michael Jamieson can expect strong support as he look to shine in the 200m breaststroke event.
South African Chad Le Clos, who beat the Michael Phelps for the Olympic gold in the men’s 200m butterfly in London two years ago and will be competing in Dubai next month, will also attempt to add to the five Commonwealth medals he won in New Delhi four years ago.
In the cycling event, England boast a strong team with Jason Kenny the man to beat in the individual sprint, while 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins takes part in the time trial.
Wiggins will be keen to prove a point after being overlooked by Team Sky for this year’s Tour de France.
The spotlight will be on the likes of Bolt and Farah, but the Games will provide a platform for athletes from the lesser-known sports to shine.
Squash is not recognised as an Olympic event and was rejected in favour of wrestling for the 2020 and 2024 Games, which means medals at the CWG are the top prize for international competitors.
England’s three-time world champion Nick Matthew, who won the men’s singles and doubles titles in New Delhi, is the top seed while Malaysia’s defending champion Nicol David leads the women’s draw.
With so many stars ready to battle it out, it promises to be a memorable Games.
