Commonwealth Games viewing guide: Canadians to watch on Friday

The Commonwealth Games are officially underway after today's opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

Along with the obligatory mix of musical and cultural performances, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were on hand to welcome the athletes from 74 countries and territories linked to the former British Empire who will compete over the next 10 days.

Wheelchair basketball star Kady Dandeneau served as Canada's flag-bearer for the parade of nations while lawn bowler Ryan Bester, appearing in his seventh Commonwealth Games, carried the country's ceremonial baton. Canada has sent a team of 149 athletes and is aiming for another top-three finish in the medal standings after finishing behind Australia and host England in 2022.

How to watch the Commonwealth Games on CBC

Competition began earlier today with some preliminary matches in the sport of bowls, which in Glasgow is being played indoors on artificial turf rather than an outdoor lawn. Bester lost a close men's singles match to an Indian opponent, while the Canadian women's doubles duo of Emma Boyd and Kelly McKerihen fell to Wales.

Paralympian Marissa Papaconstantinou and Devin Heroux watch bowls at the Commonwealth Games

The Games begin in earnest on Friday, with the first medals to be awarded in gymnastics, Para weightlifting, swimming and Para swimming.

Here's a look at the Canadians to watch:

Swimming

With track and field on hold until Monday, swimming will be the marquee sport for the first few days of the Games. The morning heats begin at 5:30 a.m. ET, and the finals are part of the evening sessions starting at 2 p.m. ET each day.

The first medal race is the women's 400-metre freestyle. With Canada's reigning world champion Summer McIntosh