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GLASGOW -- Chantal Petitclerc has watched the Maple Leaf go up to the sounds of O Canada countless times over her illustrious 20-year career as a wheelchair racer. NBA Jerseys . Monday afternoon, she wore the smile of a proud parent when the Canadian team marched in for the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Commonwealth Games athletes village. "Its really an amazing experience being here, watching the athletes getting ready," Petitclerc said. "Ive been retired six years now, so its enough distance to actually know what its like, but not wanting to be there myself because Ive done it, but really wishing the best for all of them." The 44-year-old, who won 21 Paralympic medals including 14 gold, is Canadas chef de mission in Glasgow. She led some 100 Canadian athletes plus coaches and staff members into Mondays welcome ceremony. "Its a very new feeling for me, because as you know athletes can be very egocentric. So after 20 years of thinking about myself and my own performance, it is a great feeling caring and wanting the best for all the other athletes," Petitclerc said. Canada is fielding a team of 265 athletes for the Games, and those in attendance Monday, decked out in their white and red Canada T-shirts and white track pants, were all smiles as the Canadian flag was raised and O Canada played. Bal Gosal, Canadas sports minister, greeted the athletes with a handshake. The festive ceremony on a sun-drenched afternoon featured a performance by young singers and dancers, some with fiddles and guitars. Susan Nattrass, a veteran of six Olympics and now five Commonwealth Games, will carry Canadas flag into Wednesdays opening ceremonies. She took the opportunity to mingle with her teammates. "Its such an honour and you want to be very appreciative. And then you also really encourage everyone to enjoy it," Nattrass said. "Its fun. I was talking to the (lawn) bowlers today. And the rugby guys. Its really fun and its really interesting to see and meet with people and hear of their experiences." The athletes village, which sits in the shadow of Celtic Park -- normally home to Celtic FC soccer club and the venue for Wednesdays opening ceremonies -- was abuzz with athletes milling about at the nearby shopping area and hair and nail salon. "Were really excited. The village has been great -- feels like youre at home," said Kate Gillis, captain of Canadas womens field hockey team. The positive vibe was a departure from four years ago when organizers were still rushing to finish the athletes village -- amid complaints of unsanitary conditions -- and sports venues at the Games in New Delhi. An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, made headlines in Glasgow last week after 53 employees at the athletes village fell ill. But Glasgow officials said the virus was under control, and shut down a temporary toilet facility that was identified as the likely source of the bug. Preparation for Glasgow has been otherwise smooth sailing. There have been no grumblings about venue construction, tickets are sold out for many events, and the athletes have raved about the athletes village. The only minor concern has been about the weather in a country known almost as much for its soggy conditions as its Scotch and its shortbread. But there was no rain in sight Monday as temperatures reached 22 C. And the forecast is even brighter, calling for sunny skies and temperatures that could soar as 26 this week. The Games feature some 4,500 athletes competing in 17 sports over 11 days. Its the only fully integrated major Games, with 22 Paralympic events in five sports. Petitclerc, who carried Canadas flag into the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia, won gold over 800 metres at the 2002 Games -- when Paralympic sports were given official status -- and then again in 2006. The welcome ceremony, she said, represented the "last countdown" before the athletes competitions begin. "So every athlete is really trying to focus on their event and getting a little bit of butterflies, so its a very important moment," she said. "At this point, physically, theres not much they can do except for resting, so it becomes a mental situation where youre really trying to find that good place in your head and just be good. "Thats how the village and the team is important because it can provide a home away from home." The Canadian teams goal is to reclaim its traditional spot among the top three in the medal table after finishing fourth four years ago in New Delhi behind Australia, England and host India. Canada claimed 76 total medals in 2010, including 26 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze. NHL Jerseys . Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was also taken to three sets but emerged with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win over Tobias Kamke of Germany, while second-seeded David Ferrer joined Murray in making an early exit after a 6-4, 7-5 loss to Daniel Brands of Germany. Cheap Jerseys . So he and his Toronto FC teammates say they will have no problem getting up for their Amway Canadian Championship final against rival Montreal Impact, even if the result doesnt count toward Major League Soccer standings. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ .J. -- Tom Coughlin doesnt have many options at halfback for the winless New York Giants.CLEVELAND -- Before leaving frigid Progressive Field, Nick Swisher delivered a final message in his signature style. "Happy Bro-pening day everyone," he yelled. Swisher made the Indians home opener one to remember. Clevelands first baseman with the infectious attitude hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, two batters after Yan Gomes connected for a solo shot, leading the Indians to a 7-2 home-opening win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Swishers homer off Mike Pelfrey (0-1) allowed the Indians to cap a day of pomp and pageantry as they celebrated Progressive Fields 20th anniversary. Before the sixth, the Indians had been shut out by Pelfrey and were in danger of disappointing a sellout crowd that stuck around following a 2-hour, 13-minute rain delay and plummeting temperatures. But Swisher, who added a run-scoring double in Clevelands four-run seventh, helped the Indians win their first home opener since 2008. "I was just so proud of the way the guys fought, man," Swisher said. "Maybe that will be the identity of this team -- the fact that were gonna fight. And regardless of the situation or the obstacle in front of us, were always gonna take that head-on." Indians reliever Josh Outman (1-0) recorded two outs after coming in for starter Danny Salazar in the sixth and got the win. Michael Brantley hit a two-run single in the seventh for the Indians, who were flat and hitless through four innings. But Gomes and Swisher woke the Indians up in the sixth when they finally figured out Pelfrey. "Guys were talking in the dugout and theres the fifth inning, were down 2-0, havent even gotten a hit at that point," Swisher said. "Guys were saying, Hey, we stick around long enough, were gonna get this. And thats a great feeling to have." Chris Colabello homered for the Twins, who jumped on Salazar for two runs in the first inning and were coasting toward a win when Pelfrey fell apart. "It kind of ruins the whole day, no matter how the first four innings went," Pelfrey said. "The game got away from me. It was kind of like a kick in the stomach." Gomes got things started in the sixth with his leadoff homer, a lined shot innto the centre-field bullpen to trim Minnesotas lead to 2-1. Stitched Jerseys. Lonnie Chisenhall walked and Nyjer Morgan sacrificed. Up came Swisher, who fell behind 0-1 before belting his homer, a towering fly pushed deeper into the right-field seats by the gusty winds. Swisher posed to watch the balls flight and then punctuated the homer by flipping his bat as he headed down the first-base line. After crossing home plate, the Ohio native saluted Clevelands crowd by raising his arms and making an "O" and then "H" an "I" and "O." It was typical Swisher -- animated and enthusiastic. "I think everybody gets a kick out of it," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Swishers theatrics. "Maybe not the other team. But I think our guys like it." Said Swisher: "Im going to be who I am." Before the game, Swisher complimented Clevelands front office for signing All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis to a six-year, $52.5 million contract hours before the opener. "Bro, I think its awesome, so amazing," he said. "I feel that were starting to create an identity of who we are." That process began last season, when the Indians won their last 10 games to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They lost the wild-card game to Tampa Bay, but Cleveland entered this season with expectations to go even further this October. Until then, Swisher wants everyone to stay warm. "Everybody go home and get a hot cocoa," he said. NOTES: Cleveland has won seven straight over Minnesota. ... Kipnis signing means 16 of the 25 players on the Indians roster are signed through at least 2016. ... Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has a special fondness for Progressive Field, known as Jacobs Field for most of its history. "I love this place," he said. "Its a beautiful atmosphere with the city in the background and the dude banging on the drum out there. Not too many ballparks have fans sitting right next to your dugout in a glassed-in area offering you a beer." ... Former Indians manager Mike Hargrove threw out the ceremonial first pitch, skipping it to first-base coach Sandy Alomar, who played for Hargrove. ' ' '