Island Games 2023 Bring Record Crowds and Strong Performances to Guernsey

Guernsey hosted the Island Games from July 8th to July 14, 2023, welcoming over 2,000 athletes, according to BBC News and officials from more than 20 different islands. This was the third time Guernsey had hosted this spectacular event, with previous versions held in 1987 and 2003.

The Island Games happen every two years in a random location and bring athletes from island communities together to compete in multiple sports and to build friendships with other athletes. According to the International Island Games Association, this year’s event included 14 sports and more than 100 competitions, making it one of the biggest and most fun of the Island Games so far. Some of the sports include basketball, sailing, and even archery!

Thousands of spectators lined the streets of St. Peter Port for the opening ceremony. According to the BBC News, over 1,200 local volunteers helped organise and support the games. Events took place across multiple locations, including Footes Lane Stadium, which hosted events related to track and field.

Guernsey performed strongly in the medal count. According to Channel 103, the host team led the medal table by day three with 26 gold, 23 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Commonwealth Games athlete Alastair Chalmers broke the Island Games record in the four-hundred-meter hurdles and later celebrated with his fans by signing autographs.

The games also had a significant economic impact. ITV News stated that visitor numbers rose about 30% compared to the same period in 2019. Hotel occupancy reached about 80% during the games, helping boost local tourism and business recovery after the pandemic.

Each island poured water from its homeland during a symbolic ceremony introduced by the organisers of the game into a communal fountain, continuing a tradition started in 1991 in Aland. Officials described the event as a celebration of unity, identity, and community.

Guernsey officials and the Island Games Association said that the event was a success both on and off the field. The next Island Games will take place in Orkney, Scotland, in 2025.