Team Guernsey in action as Commonwealth Games get under way

Bowler Lucy Beere won her first game in the singles before triathlete Josh Lewis lined up alongside some of the world's best for the men's race in Sutton Park.

The Games were officially opened with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium on Thursday night, celebrating the diversity and distinctiveness of the host region.

Team Guernsey — made up of 28 athletes from seven sports — were led out by joint flagbearers for the first time with badminton player Elena Johnson and cyclist Marc Cox sharing the honour.

Team Guernsey for Birmingham 2022:

Athletics: Cameron Chalmers, Alastair Chalmers, Peter Curtis, Abi Galpin, Joe Chadwick

Badminton: Stuart Hardy, Elena Johnson, Chloe Le Tissier, Emily Trebert

Boxing: Billy Le Poullain

Cycling: Sam Culverwell, Sebastian Tremlett, Marc Cox, James Roe, Michael Serafin

Lawn Bowls: Lucy Beere, Rose Ogier, Todd Priaulx, Matthew Solway

Swimming: Charlie-Joe Hallett, Ronny Hallett, Jonathan Beck, Samuel Lowe, Tatiana Tostevin, Laura Le Cras, Orla Rabey, Molly Staples

Triathlon: Joshua Lewis

Guernsey have not won a senior Commonwealth medal since 1994, but several local stars go in with an outside hope of making history.

Boxer Billy Le Poullain — who reached a national amateur final in December — starts his Games on Sunday against Northern Ireland's Jake Tucker, while British champion Ala Chalmers goes in the 400m hurdles, and cycling pro Sam Culverwell will hope to mix it with some greats of the sport in the road race.

The Games run until Monday 8 August.

• We will have comprehensive coverage in the Guernsey Press and regular updates from Birmingham across our socials channels (@gsypresssport)