2006 Commonwealth Games open in Melbourne
{{Date|March 15, 2006}} 
[[Image:Melbourne2006.svg |150px|right]]
[[Image:Comm Games 2006 flying tram.JPG|thumb|Flying tram at the opening ceremony]]
The [[w:2006 Commonwealth Games|XVIIIth Commonwealth Games]] were opened officially by [[w:Queen Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] tonight, in [[w:Melbourne|Melbourne]], [[w:Australia|Australia]] in a two-and-a-half hour spectacular Opening Ceremony held at the [[w:Melbourne Cricket Ground|Melbourne Cricket Ground]]. About 80,000 spectators were in attendance, and hundreds of thousands lined the riverbank of the nearby [[w:Yarra River|Yarra River]], watching as the [[w: Queen's Baton Relay|Queen's baton]] made its way to the stadium. 

The Queen's Baton final runner was [[w:John Landy|John Landy]], the current [[w:Governor of Victoria|Governor of Victoria]], and a Bronze medalist in the 1956 Summer Olympics.

The ceremony began with the flags of [[w:Flag of Australia|Australia]], [[w:Flag of England|England]], (previous host) and [[w:Flag of India|India]], (next host) being raised.

In a change from the traditional format, the teams did not enter in [[w:alphabetical order|alphabetical order]]; instead, they entered in order of regions of the Commonwealth, starting with the European nations. Then Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean and finally Oceania entered the stadium.

Melbourne funk band The Cat Empire provided musical accompaniment as the athletes marched into the arena, playing music specifically written for each continent.

The Queen, dressed in gold and accompanied by the [[w:Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]], received the baton, which has travelled to all 71 competing nations, where she read the message placed within the baton (366 days earlier on Commonwealth Day, March 14, 2005).

The Queen's said "I am glad to have this opportunity to offer my best wishes to every athlete and official taking part in these friendly Games .... It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 18th Commonwealth Games open."

The Queen, who is 80 next month (21 April), was taken aback when the audience joined in a tribute of [[w:Happy Birthday|Happy Birthday]], ending with eight bars from [[w:God Save the Queen|God Save the Queen]], led by [[w:New Zealand|New Zealand]] opera singer [[w:Dame Kiri Te Kanawa|Dame Kiri Te Kanawa]].

4,500 athletes representing 71 teams from 53 [[w:Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries will be competing at the games this year. A potential global television audience of 1.5 billion is expected to tune in.  The Commonwealth Games will run through to the 26th March.

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==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142420587493&call_pageid=968332188492|title=Spectacular ceremony opens Commonwealth Games|author=Julie Scott|pub=Toronto Star|date=March 15, 2006}}


[[Category:Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:New Zealand]]

[[es:Se inician los XVIII Juegos de la Comunidad Británica de Naciones en Australia]]
[[zh:2006年第九届英联邦运动会在墨尔本开幕]]
right
Flying tram at the opening ceremony
The XVIIIth Commonwealth Games were opened officially by Queen Elizabeth II tonight, in Melbourne, Australia in a two-and-a-half hour spectacular Opening Ceremony held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. About 80,000 spectators were in attendance, and hundreds of thousands lined the riverbank of the nearby Yarra River, watching as the Queen's baton made its way to the stadium. 

The Queen's Baton final runner was John Landy, the current Governor of Victoria, and a Bronze medalist in the 1956 Summer Olympics.

The ceremony began with the flags of Australia, England, (previous host) and India, (next host) being raised.

In a change from the traditional format, the teams did not enter in alphabetical order; instead, they entered in order of regions of the Commonwealth, starting with the European nations. Then Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean and finally Oceania entered the stadium.

Melbourne funk band The Cat Empire provided musical accompaniment as the athletes marched into the arena, playing music specifically written for each continent.

The Queen, dressed in gold and accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, received the baton, which has travelled to all 71 competing nations, where she read the message placed within the baton (366 days earlier on Commonwealth Day, March 14, 2005).

The Queen's said "I am glad to have this opportunity to offer my best wishes to every athlete and official taking part in these friendly Games .... It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 18th Commonwealth Games open."

The Queen, who is 80 next month (21 April), was taken aback when the audience joined in a tribute of Happy Birthday, ending with eight bars from God Save the Queen, led by New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

4,500 athletes representing 71 teams from 53 Commonwealth countries will be competing at the games this year. A potential global television audience of 1.5 billion is expected to tune in.  The Commonwealth Games will run through to the 26th March.
Commonwealth Games Sports Oceania Australia New Zealand