Team Guernsey have travelled to Glasgow ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games - the biggest stage on which the island's athletes compete.
It's less than two years since the city, which also hosted in 2014, stepped in after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, plunging the whole future of the sporting spectacle into serious doubt.
That's led to a scaled-back event this year, but the important thing is that it is going ahead - and it arrives amid a renewed sense of optimism around Commonwealth sport, with Amdavad in India already lined up to host the centenary edition in 2030.
When do the Games take place?
The Games will be officially opened on Thursday evening with a ceremony at the Hydro arena in Glasgow - the first time the formalities have been conducted at an indoor venue.
The King and Queen will be there as His Majesty reads the message he wrote in March 2025 before the King’s Baton Relay began its journey around all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories - including the Bailiwick.
It is a slimmed-down affair compared with previous years, with bowls is the first sport to get under way with its opening session on Thursday morning.
The bulk of the action begins on Friday, unfolding over 10 days of full competition before the Games close on Sunday 2 August.
What do this year’s Games look like?
Glasgow 2026 will be quite a lot smaller than Birmingham, with 10 sports on the programme compared with 20 four years ago.
It is being billed by organisers as ‘a leaner, more sustainable model for major events’ - but it does mean some traditional Commonwealth sports have been left out.
Among the disciplines to miss out this time are badminton, road cycling, shooting, and triathlon - all sports in which Guernsey have been well represented at previous events.
What does Team Guernsey look like?
Guernsey will be represented by 20 athletes across four sports in Glasgow - with some stars of local sport among them, alongside new faces set to make their Commonwealth debuts.
The island’s swimmers arrive with the biggest contingent, Orla Rabey on her final outing among them, while boxers Tommy Teers and Niall Adams will be ready to give it their all on their maiden appearances in a Commonwealth ring.
After Team Guernsey brought back two medals from Birmingham 2022, ending a 28-year wait for a Sarnian to climb on a senior Commonwealth podium, can the class of 2026 repeat that feat?
Athletics: Alastair Chalmers, Abi Galpin.
Indoor bowls: Alison Merrien, Rose Ogier, Ian Merrien, Jason Greenslade.
Boxing: Tommy Teers, Niall Adams.
Swimming: Tatiana Tostevin, Oriana Wheeler, Orla Rabey, Delphine Riley, Emma Bourgaize, Molly Staples, Elodie Riley, Talullah-Mae Rautenbach, Charlie-Joe Hallett, Ronny Hallett, Zachary Maiden, Henry Bolton.
Who are our best medal chances?
There’s no doubt 400m hurdles star Alastair Chalmers is aiming for success. He won the island’s first ever athletics medal in Birmingham, taking a terrific bronze and celebrating in his trademark exuberant style at a packed Alexander Stadium.
Now 26, he’ll hit the track at the more boutique Scotstoun Stadium aiming to at least match that achievement - if not, go at least one better. He arrives in Glasgow having just reclaimed the British title - and becoming a father for the first time.
Bowls, meanwhile, the source of Guernsey’s other history-making medal four years ago thanks to the brilliant Lucy Beere, could offer more hope of Sarnian success.
This time the action has moved indoors and, while Beere withdraw from the selection process, there a chance for Guernsey legend Alison Merrien, at 51, to add Commonwealth glory to her glittering CV. Team-mate - and adopted Guernseyman - Jason Greenslade, who won a world title on home soil not long ago, will also be one to watch.
Which big stars will Guernsey’s athletes be competing alongside?
Beyond Guernsey’s own contenders, there is no shortage of star power to watch out for.
Athlete - and home favourite - Josh Kerr is likely to be among the biggest draws after breaking the one-mile world record in London only a few days ago.
Swimming icon Adam Ramsay-Peaty will also be there to race in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events, where he will come up against Jersey’s rising star Filip Nowacki, a world junior champion who will be aiming to end his island’s long wait for a medal.
At the bowls, Guernsey’s Merrien is a star name in her own right, but she will be wary of Katherine Rednall - England’s now seven-times indoor world champion.
Where can you watch the action?
For the first time since 1954, the BBC won’t be showing any of the action from Glasgow. TNT Sport is where you’ll find live coverage - with over 600 hours of action and every medal event set to be broadcast live.
Channel 5 will be also showing daily highlights on free to air - and will have the opening ceremony live from 8pm on Thursday.
Our sports team will also be right across events in Glasgow, so stay tuned to our website and social channels throughout the Games.
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