THOUSANDS packed a rain-soaked George Square last night to witness history in the making as the first-ever European Championships got under way with a huge opening party.
The event also kicked off Festival 2018, a programme of cultural events running alongside 11 days of thrilling sporting action, which will see Glasgow come bursting to life with international competition and festivals.
Crowds in the square were treated to dazzling performances from some of the most exciting names in Scottish music, with Nina Nesbitt, The Ayoub Sisters, C Duncan and Sacred Paws all wowing crowds.
Elephant Sessions, who swapped Glastonbury for Glasgow, finished their energetic set with a bang as a firework display lit up the night sky.
The sunny weather that marked the 2014 Games was absent as drizzle fell on spectators at the event billed the Great Big Opening Party.
Compere Sanjeev Kohli joked he had arranged the wet weather to keep in line with the traditional west Scotland climate. The actor, who was accompanied by sports broadcaster Alison Walker, paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers supporting the 11-day event which is being co-hosted by Berlin.
It sees the existing European Championships of cycling, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, triathlon and athletics brought together for the first time.
Kohli said: “10,000 people applied to volunteer, 4,000 of you got in, and a lot of you are here today. Thank you so much for your efforts, we really appreciate it.”
The BBC broadcast the event with wall-to-wall coverage from their George Square studio where the top commentary team, including Clare Balding and Hazel Irvine, received a warm welcome.
The exciting and innovative multi-sports event will see favourite Olympic and Commonwealth stars across 12 elite sports battle to become the champions of Europe, including swimmers Adam Peaty and Ross Murdoch, gymnast Max Whitlock and Jason and Laura Kenny at track cycling.
The Championships will have an unusually high number of free events for all the family to enjoy, including the cycling road races on the streets of Glasgow and beyond, and open water swimming at the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
More than 3,000 athletes are expected as part of a total delegation of around 8,500 including officials, media and others. Their journey toward European Championship success got off to the very best start as they were piped through Glasgow International Airport and welcomed by mascot Bonnie the Seal.
A further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin.
A host of family-orientated music, arts and sporting attractions will be on offer for the public to enjoy.
The cultural programme will see Glasgow Green become a key hotspot with a host of different zones at Go Live! at the Green.
Each zone will offer a different experience, including food and drink, live music, performance art, science exhibitions and much more.
The Championships are aiming to promote positive physical and mental wellbeing and want to encourage people to be more active in the daily lives.
There will be organisations on-site to engage the public in new sporting experiences which could lead to longer-term lifestyle changes.
The free challenges will be delivered in a fun, inclusive environment and will cater for people of all ages and of all levels of ability.
Deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, David McDonald, described the event as “a really exciting opportunity” for the city, which will see Glasgow host the event alongside Germany.
He said: “Not only will Glasgow get to work with a city like Berlin, but we will also bring yet another great sporting event to Glasgow, building on the past few years and the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.
“The great thing about these Championships is there’s so many free events, so you’ll be able to see some of the Europe’s top cyclists whizzing down your street. It’s going to be a great experience. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or not, it’s going to be a fantastic couple of weeks.”
It is expected that there will be a global television audience of one billion tuning in.
Mr McDonald added: “It’s crucial for us in Glasgow, with the facilities we have here that are suitable for elite-level athletes, that they’re also accessible to the public and that’s really special.
“We’re doing all we can to make sure that, after these Championships are over, people have the opportunity to come out and use these facilities.”
Championships director, Colin Hartley, said: “Glasgow and Scotland are ready and everyone is invited to be part of yet another incredible event.
“The months of planning and preparations have reached fruition and we are determined to deliver an incredible festival of sport and culture for the participants and spectators alike.”
With 52 nations taking part, Glasgow 2018 has already been labelled a must-watch, must-attend summer of sport and culture.
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