Gibraltar 2019: Island Games officially opened

The 18th NatWest International Island Games were officially opened today, 6 July, by Gibraltar's Chief Minister.

The opening ceremony took place at Europa Point stadium, with representatives from 22 islands attending.

The Royal Marines band began the ceremony, performing for the crowds whilst the athletes waited for their parade to begin.

And then the athletes followed, island by island, parading into the stadium.

Alderney were the first of the Channel Islands to enter the stadium, with 10 competitors in the team.

Charmaine Johnson, who will be competing in the athletics, carried the flag for the island.

Next came the Sarnians, 168 athletes and officials in total.

Bearing the flag for Guernsey was shooter Nikki Trebert, with youngsters Oriana Wheeler and Emma Sykes given the honour of being the team's water carriers.

Shortly after, Team Jersey entered the stadium.

Jersey has brought the largest travelling team to the Games with 215, made up of 161 competitors and 54 officials.

Hurdler Peter Irving was the flag bearer for the largest Channel Island.

And lastly came Sark, the smallest team with just two competitors: shooters Nick Dewe and Stefan Roberts.

After all 22 islands had arrived, it was time for the traditional water ceremony.

Each island brings water from home to pour into the host island's water fountain as a symbol of unity.

After speeches from organisers and the sponsor, it fell to Gibraltar's Chief Minister to declare Gibraltar's second Island Games open.

To close, Nathan Conroy’s Recycle Junkies took to the stage to perform, in keeping with this year's Games theme: 'Clean Seas'.

The sporting action gets underway on Sunday 7 July.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Island Games.

You can also keep up to date with all the news, results, and stories from the Games online here, on Twitter and on Facebook.