Two-time Commonwealth Games swimming gold-medallist David Carry has admitted that Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games was once just a fanciful idea.
Carry said that a number of competitors discussed the prospect after the 2002 Games in Manchester, but never expected it to become reality.
"Twelve years ago there was a discussion around a breakfast table and the idea was: after 2002 in Manchester, what if Scotland could take the Commonwealth Games north of the border?" he told BBC Sport.
"It was an audacious idea, it was a bit of a pipe dream, but we are delighted it is here now. I was absolutely struck by the variety of last night's opening ceremony, it was like a West End musical in the East End of Glasgow.
"It covered the colours, the history and the culture of Glasgow with respect, humour and celebration."
The swimming competition gets started on Thursday.
