From the raging bull to the fruity hot air balloon, the opening ceremony in pictures
Birmingham 2022: From a raging bull to a fruity hot air balloon, the opening ceremony in pictures
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Birmingham. Birmingham. Birmingham. The opening ceremony was a love letter to the city.
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Fireworks explode above the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.Credit:PA
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The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony was held at the 30,000 capacity Alexander Stadium.Credit:PA
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Prince Charles drove himself and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in an Aston Martin through Birmingham’s Alexander Park in a convoy of 72 British-made classic cars. Credit:PA
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The Commonwealth Games flag is carried in front of the athletes.Credit:PA
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Australia are represented by their biggest team at the Commonwealth Games overseas – and the second biggest team ever – as one of 72 nations taking part in the event.Credit:Getty
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Australia’s team of over 430 athletes includes a record 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and 75 para-athletes.Credit:Getty
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The team will be hoping to top the medal table again after winning 80 gold medals and making 198 trips to the podium on home soil four years ago.Credit:Getty
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Flag bearers Eddie Ockenden and Rachael Grinham lead the team for the ceremony.Credit:Getty
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The Australian team enters the Alexander Stadium.Credit:PA
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A giant 10m tall mechanical “Raging Bull” was the highlight of the ceremony.Credit:PA
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The mechanical bull has taken up residence in the middle of the stadium.Credit:Getty
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The bull was tamed by an interpreter.Credit:Getty
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The bull, which took five months to build, loses its armor to symbolize the Birmingham strikes of 1910 when chain makers went on strike for better terms.Credit:PA
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The dancers perform during the ceremony.Credit:Getty
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Artists participate in the ceremony.Credit:PA
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An artist performs inside a hot air balloon.Credit:Getty
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Ginny Lemon had a starring role in a lemon-shaped hot air balloon.Credit:PA
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The dancers perform during the ceremony.Credit:Getty
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The performers carry large musical instruments.Credit:PA
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The performers carry large musical instruments.Credit:Getty
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Performers on a float during the ceremony.Credit:Getty
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The Birmingham Royal Ballet and dance group Critical Mass bring to life a dance that signifies the restoration of the Library of Birmingham and its canals. Credit:PA
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The Birmingham Royal Ballet and dance group Critical Mass bring to life a dance that signifies the restoration of the Library of Birmingham and its canals. Credit:Getty
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Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai – adopted by Birmingham after she was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan as a teenager – gave a powerful speech urging teams from all countries and territories to join the people of Birmingham in celebrating the friendship beyond borders.Credit:PA
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Opera singer Samantha Oxborough sings the national anthem – on a Land Rover.Credit:PA
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Prince Charles drove himself and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, through Birmingham’s Alexander Park in his 1969 Aston Martin DV 6 Series II Volante – a 21st birthday present from the Queen.Credit:Getty
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The Aston Martin joined a convoy of 72 red, white and blue British-made classic cars which, when parked, ended up forming a Union Jack.Credit:Getty
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A convoy of 72 red, white and blue classic British cars which when parked ended up forming a Union Jack.Credit:Getty
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A photo taken using a drone of the cars forming a Union Jack.Credit:Getty
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The famous red jets perform a flypast.Credit:Getty
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An artist at the opening ceremony.Credit:Getty
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Bike stunts during the opening ceremony.Credit:Getty
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The show told the story of the Birmingham Library fire in 1879.Credit:PA
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The library, which housed a large Shakespeare collection, was destroyed by fire.Credit:Getty
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A tribute to some of Birmingham’s most famous exports.Credit:PA
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A giant puppet representing Edwin Elgar.Credit:PA
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A tribute to some of Birmingham’s most famous exports.Credit:PA
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A tribute to some of Birmingham’s most famous exports.Credit:PA
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A drummer takes center stage during the opening ceremony.Credit:Getty
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Birmingham. Birmingham. Birmingham. The opening ceremony was a love letter to the city.Credit:PA
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The dancers gather in the center of the stage during the opening ceremony.Credit:Getty
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The ceremony paid tribute to Birmingham’s manufacturing and automotive industries.Credit:PA
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Perry is the official Birmingham 2022 mascot.Credit:Getty
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Spectators carry Australian flags as they enter Alexander Stadium.Credit:Getty
