Team 'ready to make Isle of Man proud' at Island Games in Orkney
"We're excited, prepared, and ready to make the Isle of Man proud," he added.
The multi-sport event is held every two years and is seen as a springboard for athletes to gain valuable experience for larger games.At the last games, held in Guernsey in 2023, the Manx team of almost 200 competitors earned a total of 63 medals, including 20 gold and 16 silver.The tally saw the island finish third in the overall standings, with the host nation topping he table ahead of fellow Channel Island Jersey in second.
Isle of Man team secretary Jill Gillings said: "For many people it's the pinnacle of their sporting careers. They've worked hard for many years and it means so much."It's a real motivator and a really good stepping stone for people on our island, like cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish, he won in Jersey in 2003 and went on to great, great things."We're so lucky we can offer this type of international experience to our sports people, its invaluable."
At Saturday's opening ceremony and athletes' parade in Kirkwall, set to be compered by Lorraine Kelly, swimmer Laura Kinley will carry the Manx flag at what will be her seventh appearance at an Island Games.Meanwhile, the team's youngest athlete, gymnast Phoebe Christian, will take on the role of water carrier on what will be her 13th birthday.The the water ceremony, which signifies the importance it plays in island life, traditionally sees water brought from each nation mixed together in a sculpture designed by the home nation.
About 600 competitors from 15 islands took part in the first games on the Isle of Man in 1985 in what was initially intended to be a one-off.But its success created an appetite for more inter-island competition and the Island Games have continued ever since.The Faroe Islands will be next to host the competition in 2027, with the Isle of Man set to welcome competitors in 2029.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
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