Stage set for Commonwealth Games 2018

Gold Coast:-More than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations and territories will compete for 275 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, which begin on Wednesday.

There will be the same number of men’s and women’s medal events for the first time at a major multi-sport event.

Gold Coast 2018 also includes the largest ever programme of disability sport at a Commonwealth Games.

More than 2.4 billion people – nearly a third of the world – will be represented over 12 days in Australia.

Swimmer Adam Peaty, gymnast Max Whitlock, triathlete Alistair Brownlee and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson are among England’s high-profile attendees.

Scotland’s team includes athlete Eilidh Doyle, cyclist Katie Archibald and swimmers Hannah Miley and Ross Murdoch.

Wales, who include 11-year-old table tennis player Anna Hursey in their squad, will be captained by triathlete Non Stanford, while swimmer Jazz Carlin leads the team at the opening ceremony.

Northern Ireland shooter David Calvert competes in a record-extending 11th Commonwealth Games, seeking a fifth gold medal, while Michaela Walsh is one of several medal hopes in boxing.

Basketball returns to the roster of sports, with judo dropped in favour of beach volleyball.

The opening ceremony for the 21st Commonwealth Games takes place at the Carrara Stadium from 10:00 BST on Wednesday, and the first gold medal will be contested in the women’s triathlon at 00:31 BST on Thursday.