By DAVID LEGGAT in MANCHESTER
Manchester's favourite son gave the Commonwealth Games a heart-warming start as he helped 6-year-old heart patient Kirsty Howard present the Queen's baton to Her Majesty.
Soccer is not on the menu of Games events, but few would have disputed the crowd-pulling appeal of teaming the England captain
in the opening ceremony with the sick girl for whom he has helped to raise money.
The pomp and pageantry in which Britain specialises were on display during the four-hour ceremony in front of a packed crowd of 38,000 at the new City of Manchester Stadium.
New Zealand - between Nauru and Nigeria in the parade of the 72 competing nations - made its presence felt with a haka in front of the royal box.
Ma'am seemed to enjoy the challenge, led by New Zealand sevens player Bruce Reihana, and it didn't hold up the traffic.
But the real stars were Beckham and Kirsty.
The story of the brave schoolgirl who was given six weeks to live three years ago after being born with her heart back-to-front is a favourite in Britain.
She has survived 11 operations, helped to raise £1.5 million ($5.1 million), and aims to reach £5 million for a children's hospice.
It is through this fundraising, supported by Beckham and his Spice Girl wife, Victoria, that the link between the little girl and the soccer star was forged.
And when the Essex man, now the idol of Manchester because of his deeds with United, bent to greet Kirsty again, the crowd's roar reached a climax.
Only a heart of stone would not have been moved as Kirsty, with the 17kg oxygen cylinder to which she is permanently attached wheeled behind her, tentatively stepped towards the Queen.
That led to the one awkward moment of the night. The atmosphere cried out for the Queen to make the right gesture.
She could have patted Kirsty on the head, given her a hug or a kiss.
Instead, she momentarily looked unsure what to do.
Then a lifetime of formality took over, and she turned and walked back up the stairs to the microphone. A moment missed.
But the Games have now begun.
Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002
Commonwealth Games info and related links
