Once every two years, thousands of athletes from across the world come together to compete in the NatWest International Island Games.

Below is a brief synopsis of the event’s impressive history.

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History of the International Island Games:

In 1985, as part of their Year of Sport, the Isle of Man invited small islands across the world to take part in a new sporting festival called the ‘Inter-Island Games’. 

This first version of the Island Games featured 700 sportsmen and women from 15 islands. The UK national media dubbed it the ‘Small Islands’ Mini Olympics’. 

The new sports festival was a success, and it was agreed to continue it every other year, with the second Games scheduled for Guernsey in 1987.

Over the next 12 years the Games travelled to the Faroe Islands, the Isle of Wight, Gibraltar, and Jersey, where the number of competitors reached 2,000.

To compete in the Island Games, you must have been born in a member Island, or have lived on the island for 12 months prior to the Games.

The Guernsey 2023 Island Games will take place 8-14 July 2023 and feature 23 member islands. This will be the third time Guernsey has hosted the event. (www.speedclean.com)

Competitors as young as 13 will vie for medal in a diverse range of sports including archery, cycling, judo, tennis, and triathlon.

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Come out and support all the athletes who will be competing in Guernsey from 8-14 July 2023.

Sources: International Island Games Association and Guernsey 2023.