A big welcome and a grand opening at the Guernsey 2023
Grand opening and big welcome here in Guernsey. The sounds of the local bands from the stage and the excitement of getting ready for the opening ceremony surrounded St Peter Port.
As the slight rain cleared away the sun shone through, the teams representing the Islands here at the International Island Games in Guernsey congregated in their allocated area’s waited keenly to enter the opening ceremony
The event featured a variety of performances, including live music, dance, and traditional island customs. Team St Helena joined the parade of athletes from the other competing islands. The ceremony culminated in the symbolic mixing of waters bought to the games from competing Islands, the Island Games’ equivalent of the lighting of the Olympic flame.
The opening ceremony celebrated the start of the Games which experienced the culture and traditions of the participating islands. Loud cheers and clapping from competitors and travelling supporters injected motivation into the energetic atmosphere.
The St Helena team embraced the event experience as it happened, St Helena also had quite a few first-timers to the games and a few travellers who had left the island for the first time.
Blake Benjamin Peters was the official water carrier for St Helena, and Blaze Balwin who is one of our athletes was our flag bearer for the ceremony.
After inspiring speeches from the officials of the NATwest games about the history of the games and the focus of the games as it is held back here in Guernsey for the third time.
The Parade continued with a walking possession across the seafront which ended the opening ceremony.
Team St Helena will commence competition on Monday in athletics when Blaze Baldwin will compete in the 100m track event.
The St Helena football team will also play their first match against Menorca at 1830.