Taking part in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a proud moment for all the athletes from across the world who are competing, but for one it was bittersweet. During all the hype of the opening night, Canadian para-athlete Nandini Sharma explained why it was even more poignant for her, two months after the death of her father.
In an interview during the ceremony, the ice hockey player told the BBC about the last ever conversation she had with him, and said that she felt he was "watching over her" as she joined her fellow teammates for the spectacular ceremony. "I have never seen so many countries come together, it is beautiful," said Nandini. "I found out two months ago that my father had passed away. I was in Switzerland, and I had just found out that day before that I was coming to these Games.
"I had called him to let him know and it was the last conversation I had with him, so to be here means a lot. I feel like he is watching and he would be proud of me."
The Games kicked off in spectacular fashion on Thursday (July 28), with a celebration of everything Birmingham in the newly-refurbished Alexander Stadium.
Highlights included dance performances, drag queen Ginny Lemon in a lemon-shaped hot air balloon, fireworks displays, a union jack assembled by cars, and a captivating display with a 10-metre-tall raging bull. It was all before a parade of the the athletes taking part in this year's games, including the home nations of Wales, England and Scotland.
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