A squad of 75 island competitors are taking part in the NatWest Island Games in Sweden this summer. A further 15 people will accompany the squad as coaches, management and medical team.
The Western Isles are competing in eight sports during the week long event on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea at the end of June.
The squad will be accompanied by a small number of family members and supporters.
The games allow island athletes to compete at a high level international event, which
will be one of the biggest multi-
Gotland organisers expect over 3000 to participate, plus many more officials, supporters and media, making this summer’s event the biggest to date.
General team manager, Iain GG Campbell, said: “With just 75 days to go before the opening ceremony in Gotland preparations are in full flow. The announcement of the squad is always eagerly awaited and I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected.
“This is an exciting moment for the selected team members, they all thoroughly deserve their chance to compete in Gotland. It’s another young squad with half of them aged 21 or under, which is great to see and very encouraging for the future.”
He said team managers had “difficult decisions” to make with some people left disappointed.
Mr Campbell added: “The managers have worked hard to ensure that all those who qualify to compete have had the opportunity to be considered.”
“The hope now is that everyone’s final preparations go well and that they all stay injury free. We are really looking forward to seeing this group represent our Islands in Gotland.”
Craig Anderson, chief executive of team sponsors, The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “With sites throughout the Western Isles we are proud to support the local communities where the athletes live and work alongside our staff.
“We wish all athletes and their teams the best of luck with their training and we will be following their progress as the event approaches in June in Gotland.”
Members of the Western Isles squad and main sponsor for this summer’s NatWest Island Games
Western Isles squad announced for international island games competition
11 April 2017