For more information about the Island Games, why not visit their official web site? It's at www.islandgames.org.im

In late 1982, the tourist department of the Isle of Man met to discuss the feasibility of having a year of sport. The idea was to have hundreds of sporting events held throughout the year.
The Isle of Man, of course, was already one of the world's most famous sporting centres. Everyone has heard of its motoring milestones – the legendary Isle of Man motorcycle TT and Manx Grand Prix, as well as numerous rallying and cycling events.

The Manx tourist department wanted to take things a stage further.
There was unanimous support for the idea from the 30 or so organisations involved in early talks: 1985 was chosen, since it fell between Olympic and Commonwealth Games years.

The people planning the year- long programme decided to include an 'Inter-Island Games'.
Invitations went out to Scandinavian countries which had historical links with the Isle of Man, plus those with Viking connections such as Orkney, Shetland, Iceland and Greenland.
These were followed by invitations to fellow Commonwealth Games federation members, Jersey and Guernsey. Other invitations went out as other islands got to hear of the idea.

Down here, the Isle of Wight's Director of Education was at a conference when he heard about the Island Games from another delegate. That was all the encouragement he needed!
When he returned to the Island, he contacted Vernon Shimmin, the IoW's Physical Education Adviser, and encouraged him to organise a team.

At the start, the Island Games were intended to involve a total of six islands. In the event, FIFTEEN took part!
They were: Aland, Faroe Islands, Froya, Gotland, Guernsey, Hitra, Iceland, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Malta, Orkney, Shetland, St Helena, Ynys Mon (Anglesey) and the hosts, the Isle of Man itself.

The first Games were a huge success. A committee was set up, and since then the Island Games have been held every two years. Like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, all kinds of sports take place at the Island Games – but athletics (track and field) are at the centre of events.

Here at IWAC, we're rather pleased about that!
After all, if it hadn't been for the Island Games in 1993, our All-Comers Records would look very different indeed...

 The Island Games 2001

The Isle of Wight has won 45 medals in this year's Island Games. Many of these successes came from Island Athletes. Andy Frost's effort in the hammer will go into the Island Games' record book as he beat his previous games record by more than three metres with a superb performance. Alas, there was no glory this time for Amy Church who was appearing in her first Island Games. She missed out on a medal by just 11 centimetres in her hammer competition. Next time Amy!

Our track competitors came home with many smiling faces. Not least Bryony Frost who won Silver in the 1500m and Bronze in the 800m. Bryony was leading the 1500m until the final bend and was just beaten in the home straight. It was a determined effort from the 17 year-old who later said she was disappointed.
We say "Well Done Bryony"!

The ladies 4 x 100m relay team became golden girls when they produced a shock victory. Katie Taylor, Claire Jones, Helen Davis and Emily Young had a magnificent run, taking just 49.64 seconds to win. For Emily the Gold medal was one better than the Silver she won earlier in the 100m.

On the final day of competition, Carly Pragnell joined the golden girls with a wonderful jump-off effort of 1.72m in the high jump. Excellent Carly!

Jonathan Blackledge found the 5,000m and the 10,000m a bitter sweet-experience. He managed fourth place in the 5,000m, but his reward for hard work was a Bronze Medal in the 10,000m.

Matt Barton was just centimetres from a medal in the triple jump in a hard fought competition. Well Done Matt!

This Island Games has been truly successful for the Isle of Wight and shows just how far up the table in athletic competition we are. Continued training and hard work, coupled with a genuine love of the sport will keep us high in the standings.

Well done to everybody who took part or helped behind the scenes, and thank you Isle of Man. Hello to all the friends we made and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2003 at Guernsey.

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