"Something we can look forward to"

Sunday 29 March 2020

It's not yet clear whether the decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will have an effect on next year's Island Games in Guernsey.

They are due to take place from 3 to 9 July 2021 and the organising team is liaising with the International Island Games Association Executive Committee on future plans.

"We are currently in a strong position with our plans ahead of July 2021," said Games Director, Julia Bowditch. "Our organising teams are now working remotely and are in regular contact as we are determined to keep the momentum going.

"We are continuing our existing communications with the islands and the participating sports associations."

Guernsey has spent months preparing to host athletes and team members from 23 islands across the world, who all confirmed they would be attending.

Pictured: The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo have been postponed for a year.

"The covid-19 pandemic has inevitably had an impact on sporting events throughout the world," Ms Bowditch added. "We are in constant liaison with the IIGA Executive Committee and we have agreed that their AGM, which was due to be hosted here in Guernsey in July this year, will be postponed.

"It is too early yet to know how much of an effect the Olympic decision will have on the Guernsey 2021 event, but we intend to carry on with our plans.

"We will continue to work with the IIGA and the member islands to ensure we deliver the best event possible in July 2021. It is something we can look forward to as a community and with over 650 people already registered as volunteers, we would like to encourage people to get involved."

More information on the Games is available here.

Pictured top: The Guernsey 2021 organising committee with the IIGA Executive Committee when they met last year.