2011 Island Games
I wrote about and followed quite closely the Island Games two years ago. Yesterday was the last day and the closing ceremony of this year’s tournament held in the Isle of Wight.
25 island nations either part of, or associated with, the 9 sovereign nations of Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the Caribbean compete every two years in 14 sports (chosen by the hosts from a list of 18) and the next Island Games will be in Bermuda for the first time in 2013 – sod London 2012, I might just wait for the greatest show on the ocean to come here!
The 2013 Island Games will be a great opportunity to showcase the island, many venues will be used but the event will centre around the National Stadium. The 8,500 capacity stadium and the surrounding sports centre has always impressed me and includes within it hockey and rugby pitches plus soon a new full size swimming pool.
On the last day Of this year’s games Bermuda doubled their gold medal tally in the Isle of Wight as the men’s team successfully defended their basketball title, and Gavin Manders and Jenson Bascome won an all-Bermuda men’s doubles final in the tennis. Manders also walked away with a silver medal after losing his singles match against Cayman Islands’ Panav Jhr. The other gold was won in the team sailboarding.
That meant Bermuda ended the Games with 18 medals (3 golds, 5 silvers, 10 bronzes) which put them 13th in the medal’s table, which I would have said was disappointing when one considers the size of the island and the facilities available. The Shetlands won 4 more gold medals than Bermuda for example and Bermuda won 40 medals in Rhodes in 2007 and 32 in Åland in 2009.
Top of medals table were Guernsey, who won 41 golds and 107 medals all told with the Isle of Man way behind with 26 golds and 68 in total. Hosts Isle of Wight won 17 golds including the men’s football beating Guernsey 4-2 after extra time in the games finale last night at Newport’s St George’s Park.
As a resident of the Isle of Wight, and Charlton supporter, I had a great week watching a little tennis and five football matches. I didn’t mind who won, the camaraderie and friendliness was wonderful to experience. Further reports on the football can be found on my blog at http://www.wighteye.wordpress.com
I’m certain you’ll enjoy the games when they get to Bermuda in 2013 Chicago Addick!
Great to hear from you wighteye. Excellent blog too. COYR.
Thanks CA, looks like being an interesting season, sorry to see one or two players go, but onwards and upwards! Hope Chris Powell is given enough time to settle in with his chosen team, the Premiership seems such a long time ago now and perhaps we have to be a little more realistic, let’s hope it’s Championship here we come!!!
Do you get to many games wighteye?
Just 4 games last season, Bournemouth away and Saints away in the paint pot, Brighton at home (dismal) and Plymouth Argyle at home. I work Saturday mornings, so getting over the Solent for a game at 3 is a scarce opportunity! Have been a season ticket holder in North and East stands about ten years ago, much missed.
CA – I suspect a few days at the Island Games would be just s enjoyable as the Olympics and I bet the evening entertainment is a darn sight better! I note from the list of competing islands, that they are all represented by their own flags, although Wighteye needs to have a word because there’s a severe lack of imagination with theirs! (great local blog).
As a Shetlander, Addicks supporter & regular reader of this blog it’s nice that you’ve given a mention to our achievements in the Island games. These games mean a lot to the participating islands, and when they were held up here a few years ago we had a great day (& night) when we won the football gold medal, only slightly behind Wembley ’98. Let’s hope Cozy can make a team out of all these new players & we can start looking forward to a few more experiences like that again.
Any Addicks out there from Sark or the Faroes?
Seriously, Sam, wighteye, knowing that guys like you read and appreciate my blog makes it all worthwhile. Thanks. CA