Huge cheers for Team Isle of Man at Opening Ceremony

Team Isle of Man were greeted with large cheers from a packed out Alexander Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Cyclist Mark Cavendish and swimmer Laura Kinley carried the Manx flag around the stadium during the Athletes parade.

34 athletes will compete for the Island across eight sports including swimming, boxing and cycling.

Chef de Mission Erica Bellhouse said: “We’re immensely proud that for a small island with a population of only 85,000, we will have a total of 34 athletes competing in these games."

Basil Bielich, President of the Isle of Man CGA said: “Team Isle of Man were overwhelmed by the reception we received as we entered the stadium and the excitement on the faces of our team members was wonderful to see. The Opening Ceremony itself was stunning. This is going to be an awesome Games! We now look forward with much anticipation to the start of competition on Friday.”

The Red Arrows, a video of the Queen and music from Duran Duran and UB40 kicked off the event.

Organisers are hoping the competition becomes Britain's biggest sporting event since the London 2012 Olympics.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “Our 72 nations and territories are all here – and Birmingham looks magnificent. The city and wider region will provide the perfect stage for our athletes to compete. I believe this event will be one of the greatest and most important editions of the Commonwealth Games in our 92-year history.”