India, July 22 -- The first signs of the Commonwealth Games appear almost as soon as one steps off the plane. Inside the Glasgow International Airport, athletes in national team tracksuits wait at the conveyer belts for their luggage even as volunteers in the Games' trademark purple uniforms welcome delegations arriving from across the Commonwealth.

Every few minutes, a team emerges through the arrival gates, adding to the steady stream that will soon swell to nearly 3,000 athletes.

Beyond the airport, however, the atmosphere is subdued. The city centre carries reminders that Glasgow is about to host one of the world's biggest multi-sport events in just about two days' time. Posters featuring the official mascot, Finnie the Unicorn, com...