Dying girl to star in
C'wealth Games opening
Sinead O'Hanlon
Six-year-old Kirsty Howard woke up buzzing with excitement as she prepared to be thrust on to the world stage in one of the Commonwealth Games's most important roles at Thursday's opening ceremony.
The terminally ill Manchester girl was chosen ahead of Britain's top athletes to present the Games's baton -- the equivalent of the Olympic torch -- to Queen Elizabeth at the opening ceremony before a television audience of millions.
"I'm extremely excited about meeting the queen and really looking forward to the Games," Kirsty said, preparing to spend the morning in hospital and the afternoon at the hairdressers.
Kirsty's role will be the climax of the lavish multi-million pound opening spectacle, which blends the nation's traditions of pomp and circumstance with Manchester's own reputation as Britain's party capital.
Organisers aim to turn the City of Manchester stadium into one big nightclub, with 5,000 athletes and volunteers taking part in a riotous mix of music, dance and light from 9p.m.(2000 GMT).
Sue Woodward, the Games' creative director, said organisers had thought hard about how to define the essence of Manchester.
"We're robust, resilient and inventive -- and we also have a bit of an attitude," she said.
TIGHT SECURITY
But the colourful spectacle will mask a massive anti-terror operation behind the scenes with police aware that the opening, to be attended by the queen, Prime Minister Tony Blair and foreign leaders from around the 54-nation Commonwealth, makes it a prime terrorist target.
A day after a parliamentary report found Britain was ill-equipped to cope with an attack on the scale of September 11, Manchester police believe they are ready to deal with all eventualities.
Manchester's Assistant Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes said there had been no specific threat to the games but police were taking no chances.
More than 1,000 officers -- many armed -- will be on the streets while specialist search teams scour the city from the air, water and land for explosives or weapons. Those attending sporting events will go through airport-style security.
Hughes said despite the need for caution, police would stay in the background as much as possible.
"We want people to relax and enjoy themselves -- that is the whole point of the Ggames," he told Reuters .
But no hint of such adult worries is likely to cross Kirsty's mind in the run up to her big moment.
The Manchester girl was born with her heart back to front and needs an oxygen tank to breathe. Three years ago, doctors gave her six weeks to live.
Kirsty is no stranger to the spotlight -- having befriended England soccer captain David Beckham and his pop star wife "Posh Spice" Victoria.
Organisers refused to comment on reports that Beckham would be the final celebrity baton runner who would pass it to Kirsty.
"Kirsty has the spirit and courage of a lion. She is the perfect person to represent Manchester and its people," said Suzie Mathis who runs the Kirsty Appeal fund.
Kirsty, who has raised 1.5 million pounds ($2.4 million) for charity, was kitted out in a special Commonwealth Games uniform on Wednesday, ready for her big moment.
"The Commonwealth Games is all about determination and inner strength so Kirsty is the perfect person for this," Mathis said.
