The Commonwealth Games have kicked off in Birmingham, England.
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The opening ceremony featured the usual athletes parade and fireworks, but also flying acrobatics and a big mechanical bull.
The Games mascot Perry the Bull also featured.
Australian flag bearers, hockey and squash champions Eddie Ockenden and Rachael Grinham, were the first athletes to walk into Alexander Stadium.
Electric Light Orchestra's 'Don't Bring Me Down' played as the team in wattle green were the first country to march into the arena on Thursday night for the 22nd instalment of the Games
Australians are jumping straight into action on day one with our swimmers, cyclists, gymnasts and more competing.
During the opening ceremony, the history of the city affectionately known as Brum was represented by a 10-metre tall iron-clad bull that was detailed in front of 30,000 spectators.
The ceremony told the story of Stella and The Dreamers, a group of young athletes from around the Commonwealth exploring the working-class city's history of industrial innovation, struggles and success.
In a nod to Birmingham's car manufacturing heritage, locals drove 72 red, white and blue vehicles onto the arena to create a Union Jack and welcome the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Charles had earlier met with athletes in the village, joking with members of the Australian team that "all the rest are terrified of the Aussies".
He later declared the Games officially open, before Birmingham's own Duran Duran closed proceedings with a medley of their greatest hits.
It triggered the start of an 11-day sporting feast featuring about 5000 able-bodied and para-sport athletes from 72 nations competing in 280 events across 19 sports.
- with Australian Associated Press
Shivé Prema
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
