The entry form which we have composed is mainly for Internet use. For those Islands who cannot register this way, they must revert to the old fashioned way, i.e. by sending the form by post or facsimile.

Each contact person on their respective Islands has received their respective password and log-in code, and with this they have access to the web net. From there all participating can be registered in their respective sport. Everyone, all participants, coaches and leaders must be registered; even those accompanying the teams must be registered.

The registration forms need not be returned to us with this system, instead they accompany the general team manager to Gotland when they arrive to Gotland this summer. The only exception is that if you do not have any access to Internet, then the forms MUST be returned to us as soon as possible.

Doping
The question of Doping Control at the forthcoming NatWest Island Games which are to be held in Gotland was considered by the Executive Committee at its meeting of the 14th of February, 1999.

After studying reports which had been received from various authorities, the Committee agreed that procedures of Doping Control will be implemented at these Games under the direct control of an appointed Medical Adviser.

A specific directive had been received from the IAAF via the Swedish Athletic Association, that in accordance with their regulations, there was the heed to conduct doping control tests during the Athletics competitions.

It is the intention of the Executive Committee to have the whole question of Doping Control at future Island Games discussed by representatives of all member Islands at the General Meeting of the Association which will be held in Gotland on the 1st of July 1999.

Attachés
To help and assist the General Team Managers in their work, a host/hostess will be assigned to each member Island for their disposal during the NatWest Island Games. The reason for this is to create a feeling of good will between each team and the Organisation Committee, at the same time ease the work load for each General Team Manager. We are now appointing these hosts/hostesses, in plenty of time before the Games get started, and in due time we will inform who is appointed to which Island.

Each Team Manager will also have a car at his/her disposal during the week with a host/hostess as chauffeur.

New sport coordinator for archery
Because Daniel Lindh has been job relocated and had to move to the mainland, a new co-ordinator has been assigned for Archery, her name is Eva Söderberg and her address is noted here below:

Address:
Bogegatan 85
SE-621 42 VISBY
Sweden

Telephone +46 498 21 28 81
e-mail: eva_sberg@hotmail.com.

TenPin Bowling
The Executive Committee have received an appeal from the Island Games Association of Mann (9th of February) to allow a late entry for a team from the Isle of Man Ten Pin Bowling Association to take part in the event in the NatWest Island Games in Gotland.

After giving due consideration to all the facts presented, the Executive Committee agreed that it would be in the best interests of the Association and in the spirit of the Games to uphold the appeal and allow the sport to take part.

The Executive Committee would however wish to stress that their decision should not be taken as a precedent to any future appeal.

Regarding authorisation of admitting weapons into Sweden
In order to admit weapons into Sweden, a specific permit must be obtained from the local Police on Gotland, which includes a fee of 100 DM/permit. Upon negotiations with the local Police authority, an agreement was reached that one fee per team could be charged, if the entire team crosses the border into Sweden at the same time. Different regulations will also apply on where the competitors start out from.

The following rules will apply to the particular participant categories:

• For the Nordic competitors, a compiled application will be used.
• For EU Citizens, a valid EU weapons license plus an entry form should be obtained.
• For all other competitors, an entry form should be obtained.

After that the registration date has gone out, we will forward the applicable registration forms, which should be returned back to Gotland in good time, to the local Police authorities. After approval, the forms will be returned to the respective competitor so that the forms may be shown upon entering Sweden.

At this time, we can forward the authorisation forms to the Island who has made clear who is to participate in NatWest Island Games - Gotland.

Hertz car rental
An agreement has been reached between the Organising Committee and Hertz car rental, which will be the official car rental firm during Games week.

You may book a car today by contacting Hertz Rent a Car in Visby: Mr Mats Funck, Tel: +46 498 248 550, fax: +46 498 284 610 or by e-mail: hertz@gotlandica.se

Read more about Hertz and their offer on: www.hertz.nu and then click at "Erbjudanden" and you will find information in English about car rental during the Games.

You may, also, do your bookings through Gotlandsresor AB, Cecilia Sätterström, phone +46 498-20 12 60 or 20 12 53.

Wisby this week
Every week now, on our homepage, you can see pictures or a video snatch from Gotland. Pictures that show NatWest’s preparation progress this spring. Go in on www.gotlandweb.com/islandgames and click on "Latest". The picture display is done by a video group that has been put to work by Arbetsförmedling (our Job Connection office) and Visby Videoproduktion. NatWest Island Games is under obligation to produce a video film which presents the opening/closing ceremonies plus various highlights from the competitions. Of course, this video film will also reflect other activities during the Games week, for example the social activities, an so on.

A training programme in the art of filming has been started that will cover everything from an idea to a finished video cassette. That means instructing in visual/audio, photo, production, editing, etc. The project is including 5 people today, and during Games week there will be at least three teams with three persons in each team.

Mr Putte Friberg is in charge of the project.

Reporting results during the games
To make it easier for journalists, whether on the spot or from a distance, to plan their work of covering the games, and for supporters back home, to follow the games, here is a brief description of our procedure for reporting results.

Results from the games will be reported/entered at each arena with a program specially developed for the games (created by Eastweb – for examples from other major events for which they have developed programs for reporting results, see their website, www.marathon.se).

Heat results will be reported from the arena to a shared database via an Internet connection. Results can be obtained via Internet as they appear. Heat results can be checked by anyone with an Internet connection, immediately after they have been reported from the arena. Final results will likewise be obtainable on Internet when the event is over.

The "Main Results Centre" will be located in Solberga School in Visby.
Mats Alstäde
Result reporting officer

Facts about Sweden and Gotland

Electricity
220 volts and 50 cycles (Hz) and round-pin plugs are standard in Sweden. As British and US outlets differ from Swedish ones, you may need an adapter for your electrical appliances

Water and food
Tap water is excellent in the whole of Sweden. Dairy products and Swedish meat are, due to the absence of feed additives and the careful management of fresh primary products, healthier, purer and better-tasting meat than in many other countries.

Driving in Sweden/Gotland
Sweden has right hand traffic. Drivers licences are issued from the age of 18. Foreign visitors driving in Sweden do not need domestic drivers licences, however you must carry a picture ID in complement to your own drivers licence.

Banking, Means of payment
The Swedish krona, or crown (SEK) is the national unit of currency. The exchange rates are about: 100 SEK = 7,64 GBP / 100 GBP = 1 308 SEK. Travellers cheques can be cashed into Swedish crowns at most banks. Normally, personal cheques cannot be cashed. Major currencies are accepted at larger tourist establishments, often at disadvantageous rates. Major credits are mostly accepted in shops and restaurants, look for door/window displays.

Volleyball referee
Every participant Island must provide a referee. Everything according to bye-law B29.16.4.4 (May 1998): Each participating Island must provide a referee with, at least, minimum qualifications from their respective national federations. This person must come purely as a referee and not have any playing or coaching roles.

We want to know the name of the referee your Island send to Gotland. Please answer as soon as possible to: tommy.andersson@gotlandica.se or on phone
+ 46 (0)708-28 77 45.
Tommy Andersson
Volleyball coordinator 

Since many of the participating islands share a Viking connection in their past, a better place than Gotland, could not have been chosen, as an arena for the Island Games. The Gotlandic Vikings were very active and travelled far and wide. The island’s position in the centre of the Baltic Sea was very suitable for trading, in a time when all major transports were carried out by boat. They traded mostly eastwards to bring home enormous wealth to their island. In proportion to its area, Gotland has the greatest abundance of treasure hoards in the world.

Around the coast, the Vikings founded harbours and trading-places where they met, exchanged goods and performed different kinds of handicraft. The Gotlandic picture stones are an exceptional introduction to their everyday life, their religious beliefs and the myths and sagas of the Vikings.

Welcome to follow the trail of the Vikings

Take a chance to follow the trail of the Vikings. Several arrangements will be available during the NatWest Island Games-week, where you will be able to learn about the gotlandic Viking heritage.

The following events will take place in Visby:

• A guided tour at the County Museum where you can see the Viking Age exhibitions.
• Join the guided tour through the old town and meet the Viking Age heritage in the medieval town of Visby.
• Listen to the myths and sagas of the Vikings in the beautiful surroundings of Visby

Join our excursions to the countryside of Gotland!

• Be an archaeologist for a day at the excavation of a Viking Age harbour at Fröjel
• Join our picnic to Fröjel where you will see an exhibition at the excavation site, meet the archaeologists in action and see the church with its fortificated warehouse.
• Visit a reconstructed Viking village and try some of the games and handicrafts of the Vikings
• Visit a Viking Age feast in a reconstructed hall of a gotlandic Viking chief.

The arrangements are organized by Gotland Tourist Association, Fröjel Discovery Programme and the County Museum of Gotland and can be booked through our local agents Gotlandsresor AB, Cecilia Sätterström , phone
+ 46 498-201260 or 201253.

From April 1th you can get further information at our homepage www.gotlandweb.com/islandgames.

Very welcome to Gotland!

For further information please contact:
Organising Committee NatWest Island Games 1999

Homepage: http://www.gotlandweb.com/islandgames
e-mail: islandgames@bigfoot.com

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

Newsletter
is distribuated by Gotland NatWest Island Games 1999 Organising Committee.
Next issuse: 7/5/1999

Legally responsible editor
Susanne Gustafsson,
Information Officer

International major sponsor: NatWest Offshore.
National major sponsors: Destination Gotland, Svenska Spel, Volvo.
National official suppliers: BRS Office AB, Gotlandsresor AB, Hertz Biluthyrning, Radio Four, Wisby Hotell AB, Wisby Mail AB, Wisby Screen