This is the 10th edition of the Games and the second time they have been staged at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, which hosted the inaugural Games in 2005.

The Ceremony began with the Parade of Athletes which featured 324 competitors from 31 countries with Great Britain and the United States having the biggest delegations - 39 and 38 respectively.

Following a welcome address by chairman of the Buckinghamshire County Council, Zahir Mohammed, the "I am the Flame" video was played out tracing the history of disability and Paralympic sport at Stoke Mandeville.

IWAS President Paul de Pace then addressed the athletes and called on them to "do your best and learn one thing from this competition that will help you in your next, accomplish one act of sportsmanship to help a fellow competitor and make at least one new friend from another team as you will be competing against each other for years to come".

The IWAS Flag was then carried into the hall before the oaths were read out by Great Britain's Lauren Knowles on behalf of athletes, John Schoemaker of International Paralympic Committee Athletics on behalf of the judges and Canada's Paul Odermatt representing coaches.

High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Joe Barclay, then officially declared the Games open.

More than 300 athletes will take part in competition at the IWAS World Junior Games over the next five days in Stoke Mandeville ©Twitter




Commenting on the competition ahead, Great Britain Chef de Mission Steve Snelling, said: "The IWAS World Junior Games are a great opportunity for developing athletes to experience the demands of international competition amongst some of the world's best young athletes."

The age group of competitors is 14 to 22-years-old and the Games will provide valuable competition for all up-and-coming youngsters and Rio 2016 Paralympic prospects."

Athletes are set to compete across seven sports including archery, athletics, wheelchair fencing, powerlifting, shooting, swimming and table tennis.

Last year the event was held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico while the Games have also been held in Ireland, South Africa, the United States, Switzerland, Czech Republic, United Arab Emirates and Czech Republic again in 2012.

The 2014 Games take place until Thursday (August 7).

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