More than 10,000 athletes from 80 countries paraded at the Ceremony.

More than 7,000 Jewish athletes are representing their countries, along with 2,500 competitors from hosts Israel.

According to the Jerusalem Post, video messages of good luck were offered by British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the Ceremony and gave a speech to the packed crowd.

Organisers are claiming the 20th anniversary edition will be world’s third-largest sporting event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

The first gold medal of the Games was won by South Africa in the rugby sevens. 

They beat Israel 19-12 in the final

Athletics, archery, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, bridge, chess, cricket, cycling and equestrian are among the 42 other sports due to be contested at the Games.

Fencing, hockey, football, fustal, golf, gymnastics, half marathon, handball, ice hockey, judo, karate, lacrosse, lawn bowls, netball and aquatics competitions will also be held, along with table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, wrestling and volleyball.

Preliminary competition has already begun in several other sports.

The Games are due to take place until July 18.