The procedure was first seen at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last month and the move of putting athletes at the heart of the event has clearly not gone unnoticed in Delhi.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Michael Fennell said: "Both the CGF and the Organising Committee have agreed that the emphasis of the Opening Ceremony must be on the athletes of the Commonwealth, allowing them to be the focus of attention.

"The Games are about the athletes, the ceremony recognises the commencement of the Games, so it is appropriate that the athletes are honoured in this way."

Dignitaries attending the ceremony include Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Prince Charles and the Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex who is the vice patron of the CGF, will also be present as will Fennell and controversial CGF chief executive Mike Hooper.

The Queen’s Baton is set to arrive at the stadium at 8.26pm having completed a 170,000 kilometre journey across the Commonwealth’s 71 nations and territories.

The baton will be received by the Prince of Wales who will read the Queen’s message before the President of India delivers her address to signal the commencement of the Games.

Welsh bowler Robert Weale, who boasts an impressive collection of Commonwealth Games medals, told insidethegames: "I think it’s going to be quite a different experience.

"In previous Games, we’ve been waiting in holding areas and, as Wales, we’re quite often last to go in.

"Sometimes, I’ve got back home to Wales and watched the DVD!

"So it’ll be a great opportunity to see the ceremony itself.

"I think Delhi will bring something special to the event too.

"It will be so different culturally - I’m expecting lots of colour as well as Bollywood dance and music."

Kate Walsh, captain of the England women’s hockey team, added: "The opening ceremony will be a fantastic spectacle and it will be so great to be sitting there watching the entire thing.

"I hear this is going to be an amazing opening and I’m really looking forward to it."

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