The XIX Island Games (also known as the 2023 NatWest Island Games for sponsorship reasons) were to have been held in Guernsey in 2021 however due to the COVID-19 pandemic the games were postponed.[1][2] This occasion will be the third time that the island has hosted the games, the first being in 1987, the second in 2003.
Rescheduled, the week long event welcomed around 2,500 competitors and officials from 24 islands to take part in 14 sports.[3][4]
Host
The Faroe Islands were initially chosen to host the games but pulled out of doing so in early 2015.[5] In July 2016 the Island Games AGM unanimously decided to award the games to Guernsey.[6]
The Guernsey organising committee chair, Dame Mary Perkins, supported by Peter Vidamour as sports director and Ian Damarell as Finance Director. The International Island Games Association (IIGA) advisor was Eric Legg.[7]
Opening of games
An opening ceremony was held on the seafront of St Peter Port on 8 July led by Gibraltar, where thousands turned out to greet the 24 teams taking part in the week's competitions. Each participating nation brought a sample of water from their own island to add to water from the previous games, in a fountain in a symbolic gesture, to announce the opening of the games,[8][9] a tradition started at the Åland 1991 games.
Volunteers
The games are only possible with the help of volunteers.
Over 1,200 Guernsey volunteers had been trained to provide assistance at the various games venues.[10] In addition, the Isle of Man had lent seven Police officers and Gibraltar and Australia, St John Ambulance staff to supplement the Guernsey facilities, with additional medical vehicles borrowed from the UK for the week.[11][12][9]
Participating islands
24 island entities of the IIGA, from Europe, South Atlantic and the Caribbean area compete in the Games. The newest entrant is Gozo.[13]
Guernsey
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