Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 in Pictures: Here are 21 amazing photos of the Opening Ceremony the last time the city hosted the Games

As the city prepares for the Commonwealth Games this week - we’re taking a look back at the last time the eyes of the sporting world were on Glasgow.

Today (Thursday, July 23) sees the Opening Ceremony of this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games, firing the starting gun on 10 days of sporting action.

This year it’s been scaled back somewhat after Glasgow stepped in at the last minute when Victoria in Australia abandoned plans to host due to spiraling costs.

But there will still be lots to enjoy, with around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing across 10 different sports, from boxing to swimming.The 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony took place on July 23, 2014, at Celtic Park.

Last time the city held the event in 2014 it was a huge success - with many hailing it as the best Games ever.

Nearly 5,000 athletes from 71 different nations and territories competing in 18 different sports - making it the largest ever multi-sport event in Scotland’s history.

The Queen officially opened the Games, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, at an event that featured music from the likes of Rod Stewart and Amy Macdonald, along with hundred of dancing volunteers dressed up as everything from the Loch Ness Monster to Tunnock’s teacakes.

The Games were a huge success, with Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper hailing them as "the standout games in the history of the movement".

And it was a great event for the home nations athletes, with Scotland, England and Wales all achieving record-breaking medal hauls.

Here are 21 pictured to take you back to the Opening Ceremony.

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