CWG 2014: Kylie Minogue, fireworks bring Glasgow games to a glittering end

Glasgow: A glittering closing ceremony brought the curtains down on the 20th Commonwealth Games today with singer Kylie Minogue being one of star performers during the gala event. In presence of British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and vice patron of Commonwealth Games Federation, declared the Glasgow 2014 closed as a representative of the head of the Commonwealth to mark the end of the biggest sporting extravaganza Scotland has ever hosted.

“Every four years, these Games bring the spirit of our Commonwealth alive. I called sportsmen and women from all nations and territories of the Commonwealth to come together in four years’ time to celebrate the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in Australia. Until then, in the name of Commonwealth Games Federation, I proclaimed the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games closed,” he said.

Colourful fireworks on a cloudy Glasgow’s night skyline to signal the end of 11-day competition among 4929 athletes from 71 countries and territories of the erstwhile British Empire. More than 2,000 volunteers sang and danced to several numbers of Scottish singers in front of a packed crowd.

The athletes were ushered in at the beginning of the show and remained at the field for the entire one-and-a-half hour show. The Indian contingent, led by flag bearer Seema Punia, who won a silver in women’s discus throw, took part in the closing ceremony, all of them wearing track suits.

CGF chief Prince Imran described the Glasgow 2014 as the best ever Games. “Scotland and Glasgow, you have really delivered in every aspect the best Games ever,” he said in his brief speech to the applause of the crowd. “We have seen superb sporting action supported by fantastic organisation. Glasgow you were pure, dead brilliant.”

Rhythmic gymnast from Wales, Francesca Jones, who won one gold and five silver, was awarded the David Dixon Award for the best athlete in the Glasgow Games. CGF chief Prince Imran presented the award to her.

Australian Minogue’s performance symbolised the transfer of baton to Australia’s Gold Coast, which will host the 21st edition from April 4-15, 2018. The show, with the theme All Back To Ours, opened with Scottish singer and actress Lulu coming out onto the star-shaped stage amid a mass of tents around the National Stadium at hampden Park and belting her famous Shout.

Glasgow legends Deacon Blue took the centre stage belting out their famous song Dignity. The workers of Glasgow were given a place of pride with 220 of them entering the stadium carrying ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’ banner while Deacon Blue lead singer Ricky Ross asking the crowd to join him. A fleet of assorted council vehicles, led by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, appeared from another gate and Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde was in one of these vehicles.

Then, Glasgow rock band Prides hit the stage and they sang Messiah to set the scene for thousands of Glasgow 2014 volunteers, known as clyde-siders, gathered around the CGF flag pole, before two pipe bands took their turn to show the more traditional Scottish culture.

In a spectacularly choreographed sequence, the volunteer performers began to clear the field of play and the tents were gradually moved to the side before the festival site was transformed into a huge star around the Star Stage for the dignitaries present to speak according to the protocol.

Then the final moment came with the Earl of Wessex, the third son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburg, declaring the 2014 Commonwealth Games closed with a colourful fireworks adorning the cloudy Glasgow sky.

The rock concert-like party continued with Minogue performing on her seven songs one after another, beginning with the Look. Stand-up comedian Des Clarke came out of a tent with Team Scotland’s Scotty Dog ‘Hamish’ and introduced Minogue on the stage. A comet tail firework travelled through the crowd to mark the end of the colourful ceremony.

PTI