IT was a day of thrills, spills and spectacular feats of aerial artistry as the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships got under way in Glasgow.

The 10-day event will see a record 594 gymnasts from 87 countries compete at the SSE Hydro.

In action on the opening day of qualification was the Great Britain women’s team.

The six-strong squad included reigning four-time Commonwealth Games champion Claudia Fragapane who delighted the crowds in Glasgow last summer.

She was joined by sisters Becky and Ellie Downie, Kelly Simm, Ruby Harrold and Amy Tinkler.

The British women now face a nail-biting 24-hour wait to find out whether they have secured a place in the top eight and the women’s team final on Tuesday.

There was tears among the Romanian women’s squad after a series of uncharacteristic errors in their routines left them on the cusp of potentially not making the team final.

Watching from the sidelines was sporting legend Nadia Comaneci who made history as the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

The five-time Olympic champion smiled when asked whether she would like to be competing in the modern era of gymnastics. “It was 14 or 15?” she said. “Yes.”

She paid tribute to the set-up at the SSE Hydro which includes a number of firsts for world gymnastics including premium floor seating that allows fans to come eye-to-eye with their heroes and heroines as the competition unfolds.

“Look at how nice it is,” said Nadia. “This is how gymnastics should have been presented at every competition. It is fun and a show. Gymnastics should be appreciated for being, what I think, is the hardest sport.”

Throughout the day spectators were also treated to on-stage performances from YDance, the national youth dance organisation, based at The Briggait.

Farnham-based Stellar Gymnastics Club enjoyed the privilege of officially opening the event as winners of a competition run by organisers and British Gymnastics.

Competing later today will be the USA women’s team which includes gymnastics global superstar Simone Biles. The two-time world champion will be aiming to make it three-in-a-row in Glasgow.

The 2015 World Gymnastics Championships take place at the SSE Hydro until November 1. For tickets, visit 2015worldgymnastics.com