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With a year to go until the next Island Games, delegates have been touring Orkney to find out what is going to be on offer.
More than 2,000 competitors and officials from 24 islands will travel to Orkney in July 2025 for a week that will feature 12 sports.
Pictured: Orkney representatives from each of the 12 sports taking part in the Orkney 2025 Island Games gathered at the Standing Stones of Stenness to mark one year to go until the event.
Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted to be able to join so many international delegates and Orcadians to start the countdown to Games. This is an opportunity to showcase, not just Orkney, but also for Shetland and the Western Isles who will compete in 2025.
“The next 12 months will be so exciting as Orkney prepares to host competitors, coaches, officials, spectators and tourists from across the globe and show them a wonderful Scottish welcome. I look forward to us all working to make Orkney 2025 a huge success.”
Representatives from the participating islands are on a three-day tour looking at sporting venues, taking part in workshops, talks, and celebrations, including a formal dinner marking the start of the official countdown tomorrow.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon will be delivering a speech to attending delegates, discussing the significance of the Games both locally and nationally, and why the Scottish Government is supporting the event.
Gordon Deans, Chair of Orkney 2025, said: “We are thrilled to welcome delegates from so many of the island groups here to Orkney to help us celebrate the one-year countdown to the Games. The anticipation is ramping up as local businesses, tourism, and community groups are preparing to showcase the vibrant spirit and culture of Orkney.
Pictured: Georgie Edwards leaps at the Standing Stones of Stenness.
“Our community is eagerly preparing to welcome athletes, officials, and visitors from around the world and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who have worked so hard to set the Games in good stead with just a year left to go."
Orkney representatives from each of the 12 sports gathered at the Standing Stones of Stenness to mark the occasion.
Councillor Graham Bevan, Convener of OrkneyIslands Council said: "The Orkney 2025 team have been working incredibly working hard behind the scenes to bring together a memorable, world-class multi-sport event, which will not only celebrate the best of everything that Orkney has to offer but also provide unprecedented opportunities to create a lasting sporting legacy for the islands, whether through participation or the development of coaching and other supporting roles.
"Orcadians are passionate about sporting competition and the Island Games – we’ve been a permanent presence at the Games since they began. It’s been a long-term aspiration to bring the games here - soon to be realised. We're delighted to be supporting the Games to come here, placing our welcoming, hard-working and determined community right at the heart of the action.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes, officials and supporters to Orkney in one year’s time for the 2025 International Island Games.
“Today is the start of many exciting milestones as we countdown to Orkney 2025. We look forward to working with the organisers, partners and the people of Orkney over the next 12 months to deliver a unique and memorable event for everyone.”
For all information on the Orkney 2025 Island Games, please visit: https://www.orkney2025.com
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