The 2017 NatWest Island Games officially began in Gotland on Saturday evening.

The 17th edition of the biennial multi sport event is being held in the Swedish island until next Friday, June 30 with more than 2000 athletes competing across 14 different sports.

The traditional opening ceremony saw 18-time Island Games medallist Hannah Riley being given the honour of carrying the Manx flag while gymnast Lucy Worthington was the water carrier as the youngest member of Team IoM.

After Island Games Association president Jorgen Pettersson had welcomed all 23 islands, the mayoress of Visby officially launched the Games.

The action gets underway in earnest on Sunday morning, with the Isle of Man’s triathletes hoping to get some early medals on the board for the Manx team.