Around 2,500 competitors from 24 islands paraded around St Peter Port on Saturday evening to mark the start of the 2023 Guernsey Island Games.
Thousands of enthusiastic spectators thronged the seafront and North Beach in St Peter Port. The crowds were entertained by the Big Band collective on North Beach and family entertainment along the seafront, including magicians, a selection of film characters and Disney princesses, and 6 island mascots.
The Games officially began at 18:30 with the water ceremony, short speeches, presentation of the Games flag and athletes oath. The Bailiff of Guernsey then declared the Games open.
The opening ceremony was followed by a procession of all athletes from North Beach and along the seafront to Albert Pier.
Sunday at the Guernsey Island Games
Competition in most disciplines begins today (Sunday 9th July) with medals to be won in Athletics, Shooting and Triathlon.
Andy Frost will be representing the Isle of Wight in the hammer competition. Andy is a previous gold medallist from the 2011 Isle of Wight Island Games and holds the hammer Games record with a throw of 70.61 metres.
The Isle of Wight football team play their 1st game at 10:30 this morning when they take on the Finnish Islands of Aland.
In basketball, the Isle of Wight face the Faroe Islands at 19:00 in the evening.
Island Echo wishes all our competitors the best of luck in every discipline and hopes to see them return to the Island with a substantial medal haul.
Log on to the Island Echo website for all the latest Island Games news and results.
Good luck all but goodness me, that flag design is shocking!
Does any one know if this on TV or the web?
You Sad little man , get your backside down there
What a waste of time just like the rubbish in ryde next week pride, oh yea what a joke
I make sure I get you a rainbow flag and wave it with pride you straight person who needs to grow up
How about little John we have a straight pride
What would be the purpose in the straight pride event?