The first Games to be held in on the western side of the Atlantic received a colourful and lively start, with around 1,250 competitors from 22 islands swelling the crowd to over 3,000. Team Jersey, smaller in numbers than usual, but still one of the larger teams, were led in by flag-bearer Madeleine Lee, with gymnasts Lee Adamson and Bonita Shurmer, the two youngest Island competitors, performing their part in the water ceremony.

Competition starts today with triathlon, cycling, tennis, squash, sailboarding, gymnastics, shooting and beach volleyball.