AS THE 2022 Commonwealth Games kick off this week in Birmingham, Times Past took a hop, skip and triple jump back in time to 2014.

That summer, for 11 glorious days, it was Glasgow’s turn to be host city, and we delivered in style.

Glasgow Times:

The huge event transformed the city into a magnificent celebration of sport.

It kicked off with Rod Stewart, dancing teacakes and a delightful pack of Scottie dogs, and ended with Lulu, Kylie Minogue wearing Jean Paul Gualtier, and a massive rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

In between, 4800 athletes fought for 261 gold medals across 17 sports in 13 venues. Around 150,000 volunteers took part and it was the first time the Paralympic Games were integrated.

Glasgow Times:

More than 140 Commonwealth records were broken in Glasgow.

READ MORE: I Grew Up in Glasgow: Dennistoun man shares memories of dance halls and cinemas

During the 11 days the Games took over the city, nearly 3.5 million people passed through Central Station, more than 50,000 cuddly Clyde Mascots sold out and more than half a million people popped in to the Live Site at Glasgow Green.

Glasgow Times: Fireworks go off from the roof of Hampden stadium during the closing ceremony to mark the end of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games seen by a global audience.

The opening ceremony made headlines for a variety of reasons, including a slight hiccup when the baton passed from cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, to the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Prince Imran and Her Majesty the Queen.

Sir Chris and Prince Imran struggled to open the device containing the message within the baton, which announced a partnership with UNICEF, “to use the power of sport to reach every child in Scotland and benefit children in every Commonwealth nation and territory.”

Eventually, it was opened, and the groundbreaking partnership inspired millions to text donations to the charity’s shared ‘Put Children First’ campaign at the ceremony. It raised £3.5 million on the night and more than £5 million to date.

Chris Hoy had launched the Queen’s Baton Relay almost 250 days earlier, in London.

On a day described as a “historic moment” for the 20th Commonwealth Games, the Queen placed her handwritten message inside the baton before sending it off on its epic trip spanning 248 days, 123,000 miles and 70 nations and territories.

The weather pulled out all the stops during the Games, with rain only falling near the end of the run.

Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation said at the closure of the event: “Yesterday, the rain came down, but the spirit of these Games endured.

“Each medallist who returns to their community will get a hero's welcome, and encourage others to have a go – to pursue their dreams.

“This is one of the most powerful elements of sport – the ability to inspire our youth – and we have seen fantastic role models in action across these 11 days in Glasgow.

READ MORE: Records reveal amazing stories of Glasgow's air raid wardens

"With 52 medals, Scotland has at least doubled its tally from Delhi. To finish fourth overall on the medals tally is a great outcome for our hosts.

"I have no doubt that these have been great Games, and, in my view, are the stand out Games in the history of the movement.”

Were you at the Commonwealth Games?

Did you volunteer at the opening or the closing ceremony, or were you one of the Clydesiders who helped the event run smoothly?

Maybe you took part in the Queen's Baton Relay?

Whatever your Commonwealth Games story, we would love to hear it.

Get in touch with Times Past to share your memories and photographs. Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.