Fireworks explode during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, England, July 28, 2022. (MANISH SWARUP / AP)

BIRMINGHAM, England - A Commonwealth Games that once appeared doomed exploded into life with a dazzling opening ceremony on Thursday that put a modern spin on a sporting event often seen as a relic of the British Empire's colonial past.

Ten years after the 2012 London Olympics it was Birmingham's moment in the spotlight, as Prince Charles, reading a message on behalf of The Queen contained in a Baton that had traveled through all 72 nations and regions of the Commonwealth, declared the Games open

Ten years after the 2012 London Olympics it was Birmingham's moment in the spotlight, although a smaller one, as Prince Charles, reading a message on behalf of The Queen contained in a Baton that had traveled through all 72 nations and regions of the Commonwealth, declared the Games open.

Instead of the usual six-seven years to prepare, Birmingham had four and that challenge was multiplied by the arrival of COVID-19.

While the pandemic forced the delay of an Olympics and an Asian Games, Birmingham pushed ahead, delivering on its promise of an on time, on budget project.

"I'm a Brummy and this is a great city founded by people who just got on with," said Birmingham 2022 chair John Crabtree. "People just go on with it, that's why we're here frankly.

"Birmingham is a modest city that would like to have the spotlight on it for just a bit."

For one night at least, Birmingham got its due as 30,000 spectators packed into renovated Alexander Stadium to take in a slick show that would match up against any Olympic production, Organizers say it was watched by over a billion people.

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Athletes of England enter the stadium during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, England, July 28, 2022. (AIJAZ RAHI / AP)

Classic staples

The ceremony delivered all the classic staples of an opening night extravaganza from the parade of athletes to a shower of thundering fireworks.

But it was the high-tech story-telling of Stella and The Dreamers, a group of young athletes from around the Commonwealth who explore Birmingham’s history representing a better, brighter future that provided the backbone of the two and a half hour show.

The Birmingham Games will break new ground with more medals awarded to women (136) than men (134), a first for a multisport event.

Cast members perform during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, England, July 28, 2022. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP)

The evening began with a flyover by the Red Arrows and ended with West Midlands rock band Duran Duran revving up the crowd under a canopy of fireworks.

As always, however, the most anticipated moment of the night was the parade of nations as nearly 5,000 athletes from 72 countries and territories, who will compete for medals in 19 sports over 11 days, made their entrance.

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Australia, widely expected to battle for top spot on the medal table as usual, were first into the stadium while their great rivals England were last and greeted with a huge roar.