Commonwealth Games: Athletes arrive

Thousands of the world's top athletes have started arriving in Glasgow ahead of the 20th Commonwealth Games.

Sportsmen and women from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories have been arriving at Glasgow Airport since last Saturday and transported to the Athletes' Village in the city's east end ahead of tomorrow's opening ceremony.

More than 4,500 athletes will be competing in 17 sports from July 24 to August 3.

 The Games officially begin tomorrow with a ceremony at the home of Celtic FC. Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald are billed to sing at the event, which will be broadcast to an expected one billion viewers. 

The competition is taking place across 11 venues in Glasgow plus two outside the city–diving will take place in Edinburgh and Carnoustie in Angus will host the shooting. 

Among the teams that arrived yesterday are Malaysia, Northern Ireland, New Zealand and Nigeria.