Background
The Island Games started in 1985 on the Isle of Man, as a venture to boost sports and tourism. Islands around Britain and from Scandinavia, plus a few others, were invited to compete in six events over a week.

Since then, the games have been held every other year, with a constantly increasing number of participants, islands, and events. At present there are 22 islands competing in 14 different events. Gotland has taken part right from the beginning, attending all seven Island Games so far.

Aim
The aim of the NatWest Island Games is to give sportsmen and sportswomen from various islands a chance to participate in competitions at international level. The NatWest Island Games are not just a sporting occasion, however, but just as much a way to create friendship and establish contacts. The opportunity to meet and socialize outside the arena is just as important.

Member islands
There are 22 islands in the IGA. IGA stands for the International Island Games Association, the organization with the overall responsibility for the NatWest Island Games.

The following islands are members: Åland, Alderney, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Frøya, Gibraltar, Gotland, Greenland, Guernsey, Hitra, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Orkney, Prince Edward Island, Rhodes, Saaremaa (Ösel), Saint Helena, Sark, Shetland, Ynys Môn (Anglesey).

Events
Gotland is arranging competitions in the following 14 events: archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, football, golf, sailing, shooting (pistol, rifle, clay pigeon and blackpowder), swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The competitions will be held in various arenas in Visby, Slite, Lokrume and Fårösund. Golf will be played at Västergarn and Stånga.

Festivities and meetings for everyone
We are convinced that the NatWest Island Games will be a great experience, and we hope that as many Gotlanders as possible will use the opportunity to take part in the event in different ways. There will be many opportunities to establish contacts in areas such as business, tourism, cultural activities, forming networks, and so on. We are also convinced that as a visitor and spectator during a week of sports and festivities, you will witness exciting contests with tremendous competitive efforts in an international atmosphere.

Address: Neptungatan 4, SE-621 41 Visby, Sweden
Telephone: +46-498-20 70 71
Telefax: +46-498-21 54 74

This page was updated 2003-06-19
e-mail: islandgames@bigfoot.com