Fans Flock For Games' Second Day

Tens of thousands of people have descended on Commonwealth Games venues for a second day of action with more than 20 gold medals up for grabs. Athletes will be hoping to set new records in the pursuit of medals after organisers hailed the first day as fantastic'', with 32 new Games records achieved. Earlier today it was announced European 400m hurdles champion Rhys Williams, the co-captain of Wales' athletics squad in Glasgow, has been provisionally suspended and will miss the event after failing a drugs test. The 30-year-old son of rugby union great JJ Williams becomes the second Welsh athlete to be forced out of the Games over an alleged doping offence, after 800m runner Gareth Warburton was withdrawn nine days ago. Williams said he was ''utterly devastated'' by the news of his failed test and insisted, like Warburton, that he had never knowingly doped. Elsewhere, Scotland's medal chances in the men's hockey contest were dealt a blow after they lost their opening match to South Africa, going down 2-0 at the National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green. The Scots still have to face the world's number-nine ranked side India on Saturday and then Wales before their final group game with world champions Australia, needing at least two victories if they are to make the semi-finals. Wales are also under pressure after losing 3-1 to India in their opener. Across the city at the SECC, Sarah Clark will fight for another Scotland judo Commonwealth Games gold later after coasting into the final of the under-63kgs. All of Scotland's six fighters claimed a medal yesterday, which was a first in the history of the Games, with sisters Kimberley and Louise Renicks both claiming gold to the delight of Glasgow. By the end of the first day of competition host country Scotland had amassed 10 medals - four gold, three silver and three bronze. England was in the lead amongst the home nations with 17 medals overall, six gold, seven silver and four bronze, while Wales had one silver medal and Northern Ireland one bronze. Speaking today, Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said:What a fantastic first day of the Games we saw yesterday, they are certainly off to a great start. In total we had 20 gold medals won across six sports - and it really is great to see the spread of medals on day one across 13 nations so far."It is worth emphasising the quality of competition that we have at these Games. Day one of the Games - 32 Games records is fantastic and on top of that we saw two world records, in the men's 100m freestyle S9 by (Australian) Rowan Crothers and of course the Australian team in the pool with the women's 4x100m freestyle relay." So, what a great start, a great day and the sun continues to shine.'' Over at Tollcross, Scotland's Ross Murdoch again beat rival Michael Jamieson in the pool during today's 100m breaststroke heat but it was England's Adam Peaty who thrilled the crowd with a Games record of 59.47 seconds. Murdoch, 20, took gold over Jamieson in last night's thrilling 200m breaststroke final. Both men qualified for tonight's semi-finals along with fellow Scot Craig Benson as well as James Wilby and Andrew Willis of England. Northern Ireland's Michael Dawson also made the cut as did Welshman Rob Holderness. There will be 22 gold medals for the taking today, with swimming at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, badminton at the Emirates Arena, boxing, netball and judo at the SECC precinct and track cycling at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome all taking place. Crowds can watch rhythmic gymnastics at the SSE Hydro and weightlifting at the Clyde Auditorium while hockey, lawn bowls, squash and table tennis action are all on show. Shooting will get under way at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre in Carnoustie, Angus. Organisers have revealed that there are still thousands of tickets for some events available. Jackie Brock-Doyle, of Glasgow 2014, said there werea couple of thousand'' of tickets for rugby sevens which starts at Ibrox tomorrow. There are still seats across the early sessions of weightlifting, badminton and squash. She said: There are still tickets available but they are selling fast.We are selling thousands each day and are probably sitting around a 95% sellout but, as and when we finalise each venue and open it up, we are looking at making sure that any tickets that are not restricted are released, so people should look every day at the website.''