Guernsey is staging the Island Games for the third time, 20 years on from the last edition held there.

This year's event was postponed from 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guernsey are among the 24 teams taking part whose athletes took part in a parade from North Beach along the seafront to the Albert Pier.

Entertainment in the form of music, magicians, bubbles and six island mascots was provided to those who gathered on the seafront to witness the Opening Ceremony, which officially began with a water ceremony.

The water ceremony dates back to the fourth edition of the Island Games in Åland in 1991, and involves mixing water brought from each of the 24 participants.

International Island Games Association (IIGA) chairman Jorgen Pettersson, who represented Åland in volleyball as an athlete, told athletes: "You have arrived in Guernsey as islanders and competitors, and you will leave as friends."

The IIGA Flag was also raised during the Ceremony before McMahon, Guernsey's judicial and civic head and representative in non-political matters, declared the Games open.

The athletes were then paraded along the seafront.

Competition is due to be held across 14 sports from tomorrow until Friday (July 14) at the Island Games, with approximately 2,200 athletes set to feature.

Jersey topped the medals table at the last Island Games in Gibraltar in 2019 with 33 golds, followed by Isle of Man with 29 and Faroe Islands with 22.