Moss Burmester of New Zealand wins gold and sets a new Games record in the pool.
The first day of competition, watched by approximately 110,000 sports mad fans, saw new Commonwealth Games records set in both Swimming and Cycling.
A total of 10 gold medals were awarded, with Australia early leaders on the medal tally.
New Games records were set in the race for gold in the pool by New Zealand’s Moss Burmester in the Men’s 200m Butterfly and Scotland’s Caitlin McClatchey in the Women’s 200m Freestyle.
South Africa smashed the Games record set by Australia in Manchester in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
Australia won a total of 12 medals in four sports – three gold, five silver and four bronze. Stephanie Rice smashed the Games record in Swimming with gold in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley and on the Cycling track Anna Meares claimed the Games record from her sister Kerry.
Anna is now the holder of both the Commonwealth and world records. Also at the Cycling, Ben Kersten claimed gold in the Men’s Individual Pursuit.
In non competition events, Festival Melbourne 2006 kicked off with a bang and over 10,000 people saw reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff performing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
A total of 18 gold medals are up for grabs on the second day of competition. Athletes will be competing in 13 sports, with Netball, Boxing and Shooting events starting today.
The gold medal for Rugby 7s is decided today, and six gold medals will be awarded in the Shooting.
Australian gold medallists Ryan Bailey (Athens 2004 and Manchester 2002) and Katherine Bates (Manchester 2002) will take to the Cycling track to defend their medals.
In the pool, Australian golden girls Jodie Henry, Giaan Rooney and Libby Lenton will make a splash in the morning heats while fellow Aussie Leisel Jones will defend her Women’s 100m Freestyle world record.
With the Triathlon and Marathon events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, competition will be spilling out of the venues and onto the streets of Melbourne.
Festival 2006 also spreads beyond the city, with a live site kicking off today at South Beach Reserve in St Kilda.
For daily competition results, visit the Schedule and Results section of this Website.
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