Commonwealth Games 2002: Day one

Today's highlights

The main event is, of course, the five-hour extravaganza that is Manchester's opening ceremony, scheduled to start at 7pm. But by then the first two gold medals will have been decided on the diving boards, which means some people's games will be over before they've even begun. Back at the stadium, David Beckham may upstage the Queen with a surprise appearance, but even he could be put in the shade if Barry Davies gives another of his classic opening ceremony performances.

Star attraction

Blythe Hartley (Canada)
The quality of some events may have been mocked, but Hartley is the first of many world and Olympic champions competing in Manchester. The 20-year-old won the one-metre springboard at the world championships last year.

Today's schedule

Diving: Women's 1m springboard from 10am, final at 3.35pm. Men's 1m springboard from 11am, final at 4pm.
Opening ceremony: 7pm

TV and Radio

BBC1 8.55pm-11pm
BBC2 4.30pm-6pm
Radio 5 Live 7pm-9pm

Notes about a small country

No1: Bermuda
Location 755 miles south-east of New York
Population 62,912
Today's medal hope Katura Horton-Perinchief (women's 1m springboard). Her dives will take less time than it takes to say her name, but a medal is not out of reach and she has been training with the Canadians, which can only help.

Quote of the day

"It could pour down with rain and you could dress me up in a duck suit and I'd still enjoy myself. I give Manchester a huge thumbs up."

Australian hurdler Fiona Cullen gets into the swing.

And finally...

Police are investigating reports that cycling competitors from an unnamed nation were spotted travelling at 40mph on the hard shoulder of the M61 near Bolton, venue for the cycling events.