Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Alexander Stadium

Perry the Bull is the Birmingham 2022 mascot and Hem (pictured in the centre) isn't the only early adopter. There are quite a few Perry hats around - I'm a fan.

The Khatana family (Arron on the left and Seema on the right) got on the Commonwealths bandwagon early too.

The whole family, who live in nearby Aldridge, are excited about the event putting Birmingham on the map.

Hem has had the hat for months. Seema isn't keen on it being worn outside of this and the closing ceremony, which they also have tickets for.

Image source, BBC Sport

Lenny Henry
Actor and comedian on BBC TV

Image source, Getty Images

Comedian and writer Lenny Henry on taking part in the Queen's Baton Relay: "It was very, very exciting. I was exhausted by the end emotionally. The vibe, the Brummies, the big smiles. Brilliant. It was such an exciting thing."

Andy Martindale: What An Introduction.

BBC One

Denise Lewis, who won Commonwealth gold at Victoria 1994 and Kuala Lumpur 1998, grew up in Wolverhampton.

She is part of the BBC One coverage tonight and I don't think she is getting through without some tears.

Emotions are high. And why not? If not now, when?

Click at the top to start watching...

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Alexander Stadium

This Birmingham 2022 slogan sits on the wall of the Alexander Stadium.

Legacy already hangs heavy in the air, with Birmingham residents attending the opening ceremony excited about what the Commonwealth Games could bring to their city.

The newly renovated Alexander Stadium is one thing - it will hold 30,000 for the duration of the Games and will remain an 18,000-capacity stadium after.

Image source, BBC Sport

So, what is the reason for this party?

Watch below for a debrief on the Commonwealth Games...

By the way, the montage minds in the BBC Sport department have pulled another blinder and we are only four minutes into the coverage.

A beautiful blend of Birmingham, old, new, fictional, real and the highs and lows of sport.

They can pull on the heart strings and milk the tear glands those guys.

Tune in as I say...

BBC One

Tune your telly-boxes to BBC One or simply click at the top of this page, where Clare Balding is introducing coverage of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

It is really something you want to see, rather than read.

Image source, Getty

Instead spiralling costs, and nose-diving confidence in meeting them, meant Durban gave up the Games five years ago. , external

Birmingham picked up the baton.

This evening, it will be the Alexander Stadium that will open the 22nd edition of the Games.

A global stage for one of the world's great cities.

Image source, Getty

A gleaming arch stretches high across the stadium roof. Below dancers and drummers prepare for the opening ceremony. Beyond the Indian Ocean glitters and crowds gather.

Somewhere in downtown Durban, a presidential motorcade inches through the evening traffic as Cyril Ramaphosa reads over his speech in the back seat.

2022 should have been South Africa's year and Africa's turn.