Island Games

{{Short description|International multi-sports event}}

{{About|the international multi-sports event|the Canadian soccer tournament|2020 Canadian Premier League season}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Infobox recurring event

| name = Island Games

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| logo =

| logo_caption =

| image =

| caption =

| status =

| genre = Multi-sports event

| date =

| begins =

| ends =

| frequency = Biennial

| venue =

| location = Various

| coordinates =

| country =

| years_active =

| first = {{start date and age|1985}}

| founder_name =

| last = 2023 Island Games

| prev =

| next = 2025 Island Games

| participants = ~ 2,000

| attendance =

| area =

| budget =

| activity =

| patron =

| organised = IIGA

| filing =

| people =

| member =

| sponsor = NatWest International

| website = [http://www.iiga.org Official IIGA website]

| footnotes =

}}

The Island Games (currently known as the NatWest International Island Games for sponsorship reasons) are biennial international multi-sports events organised by the International Island Games Association (IIGA). Competitor teams each represent different island communities (with one team from the peninsula of Gibraltar) which are IIGA members. Currently, all competitor teams represent non-sovereign territories of European nations—some within European waters and some further overseas.

The most recent edition was the 2023, which took place in Guernsey with around 2,200 competitors from 24 islands or island groups participating in 14 sports. The next games will be hosted by Orkney in 2025.

History

The Island Games began in 1985 as the Inter-Island Games, as part of the Isle of Man International Year of Sport, and were intended to be a one-off sporting celebration only. Geoffrey Corlett, who became the first Games Director, not only contacted the islands surrounding the United Kingdom, but also encouraged the countries of Iceland and Malta, the territories of Faroe Islands, Greenland, Saint Helena, the Channel Islands and others to participate.

Initially, fifteen islands with 600 competitors and officials took part in seven sports,{{cite web|url=http://www.iiga.org/games_profile_11997.html|title=Inaugural Inter-Island Games - Isle of Man 1985|work=iiga.org|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-date=19 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119013119/http://iiga.org/games_profile_11997.html|url-status=live}} with the total cost of staging the Games being put at £70,000. The track and field events were held on an eight-lane grass track, a far cry from the current games, which now use synthetic tracks in stadiums capable of holding thousands of spectators. The Games of 1985 were so successful that organisers decided to hold a similar event two years later.{{cite web|url=http://www.jersey2015.com/the-games|title=The Games|publisher=Jersey2015.com|access-date=30 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117091834/http://www.jersey2015.com/the-games|archive-date=17 January 2015}} The Games have grown from strength to strength, with limits now in place for the number of teams, and the number of sports at each Games, currently 12 to 14. Sark could be considered the most successful island, their population of 600 having acquired 20 medals by 2015, one for every 30 people.

NatWest International has been the main sponsor of the Games since 1999. In April 2018, they signed a deal extending their sponsorship until at least 2021. In 2020, Natwest International confirmed the Guernsey games, originally scheduled for 2021, but delayed to 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be the last tournament they would be sponsoring.{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2020-06-01/guernsey-island-games-in-2021-the-last-to-be-sponsored-by-natwest-international|title=Guernsey Island Games in 2021 the last to be sponsored by NatWest International|publisher=itv.com|access-date=1 June 2020}} At the time the replacement sponsor had not been confirmed.

A traditional symbol of the games was started in 1991 when Åland asked all teams to bring some water from their islands, which was then mixed in a fountain. All future games has water from the previous fountain added to water from each island competing in the new games, creating a symbol of "mixing together".{{cite web |title=Bailiff of Guernsey McMahon opens Island Games on St Peter Port seafront |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1138740/island-games-2023-opening |date=8 July 2023}}

Games venues

File:Faroe stamp 180 boat race.jpg to the 1989 Island Games: Rowing]]

File:Faroe stamp 182 football.jpg

Guernsey put in a bid for the 2021 Games following the Faroe Islands' withdrawal from hosting.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33759607 |title=Island Games: Guernsey to bid to host 2021 event |date=4 August 2015 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=10 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810233211/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33759607 |url-status=live}} The bid was approved in July 2016. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Games were cancelled and rescheduled for 2023 with Guernsey still as hosts, with future hosts pushed out by two years as well.

Orkney will host the 2025 Games.{{cite web |title=Dates for Orkney 2025 International Island Games Confirmed - News {{!}} VisitScotland.org |url=https://www.visitscotland.org/news/2021/dates-for-orkney-2025-international-island-games-confirmed |website=www.visitscotland.org |access-date=13 July 2023 |language=en}} They were awarded the right to host on 7 July 2018 at the AGM in Gibraltar.

The Isle of Man made an official bid to host the Island Games in 2029 in July 2023.{{cite web |title=Official bid to bring Games back to Manx soil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j4zkpz031o |date=11 July 2023}}

In August 2018 it was reported that the Falkland Islands are considering hosting the Games in 2033.{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2018/08/27/falklands-wants-to-host-the-2033-island-games-visionary-but-with-great-local-enthusiasm|title=Falklands wants to host the 2033 Island Games|date=27 August 2018|access-date=28 August 2018|archive-date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035940/http://en.mercopress.com/2018/08/27/falklands-wants-to-host-the-2033-island-games-visionary-but-with-great-local-enthusiasm|url-status=live}}

In December 2023 it was announced that the Faroe Islands would replace Ynys Môn as the hosts of the 2027 games due to funding having been directed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Faroe Islands, who had submitted a bid for the 2031 games,{{cite web |title=Faroe Islands to host 2031 International Island Games |url=https://local.fo/faroe-islands-to-host-2031-international-island-games/#:~:text=The%20Executive%20Committee%20of%20the,ĺSF)%20stated%20in%20an%20announcement. |date=14 July 2023}} expressed a desire to host the games early, having previously guaranteed funding towards the games in 2018,{{cite web |url=http://aroundtherings.com/site/A__63640/Title__Faroe-Islands-to-bid-for-International-Island-Games/292/Articles |title=Faroe Islands to bid for the Island Games |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=7 July 2018 |archive-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172410/http://aroundtherings.com/site/A__63640/Title__Faroe-Islands-to-bid-for-International-Island-Games/292/Articles |url-status=live}} and were selected as a replacement for Ynys Môn.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/67804032|title=2027 Island Games: Faroe Islands to host after Ynys Mon pull out|date=22 December 2023|access-date=22 December 2023}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Year

!Games

!Host island

!Numbers of
participants

!Athletes

!Sports

1985

|align=center|I

|{{flag|Isle of Man}}

|align=center|15

|align=right|700

|align=center|7

1987

|align=center|II

|{{flag|Guernsey}}

|align=center|18

|align=right|1,049

|align=center|9

1989

|align=center|III

|{{flag|Faroe Islands}}

|align=center|15

|align=right|800

|align=center|11

1991

|align=center|IV

{{flag|Åland}}

|align=center|17

|align=right|1,500

|align=center|13

1993

|align=center|V

{{flag|Isle of Wight}}

|align=center|19

|align=right|1,448

|align=center|14

1995

|align=center|VI

|{{flag|Gibraltar}}

|align=center|18

|align=right|1,214

|align=center|13

1997

|align=center|VII

|{{flag|Jersey}}

|align=center|20

|align=right data-sort-value="2,000"|~2,000

|align=center|13

1999

|align=center|VIII

|{{flag|Gotland|games}}

|align=center|22

|align=right|1,858

|align=center|14

2001

|align=center|2001 Island Games

|{{flag|Isle of Man}}

|align=center|22

|align=right|2,020

|align=center|15

2003

|align=center|X

|{{flag|Guernsey}}

|align=center|23

|align=right|2,129

|align=center|15

2005

|align=center|XI

|{{flag|Shetland}}

|align=center|24

|align=right|1,658

|align=center|14

2007

|align=center|XII

|{{flag|Rhodes}}{{cite web|title=NatWest Island Games - Rhodes 2007 June 30th - July 6th|url=http://www.rhodesresults2007.com/|website=Rhodes Results 2007|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-date=5 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705203548/http://www.rhodesresults2007.com/|url-status=live}}

|align=center|25

|align=right|2,343

|align=center|14

2009

|align=center|XIII

|{{flag|Åland}}

|align=center|24

|align=right|2,286

|align=center|14

2011

|align=center|XIV

|{{flag|Isle of Wight}}

|align=center|24

|align=right|2,311

|align=center|14

2013

|align=center|XV

|{{flag|Bermuda}}

|align=center|22

|align=right|1,296

|align=center|14

2015

|align=center|XVI

|{{flag|Jersey}}

|align=center|24

|align=right|2,430

|align=center|14

2017

|align=center|XVII

|{{flag|Gotland|games}}

|align=center| 23

|align=right|2,333

|align=center|14{{cite web |url=http://islandgames2017.com/sports/ |title=2017 sports |access-date=21 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826234815/http://www.islandgames2017.com/sports/ |archive-date=26 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}

2019

|align=center|XVIII

|{{flag|Gibraltar}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33413446|title=BBC Sport - Island Games: Menorca pull out of hosting 2019 event|author=James Law|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712052048/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33413446|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33803539|title=BBC Sport - Island Games: Gibraltar bid to host 2019 competition|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=8 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808033734/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33803539|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.iiga.org/news_story_436285.html |title=Guernsey to host the 2021 Island Games |publisher=IIGA |access-date=22 September 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923124444/http://www.iiga.org/news_story_436285.html |url-status=live}}

|align=center|22

|align=right|1,700

|align=center| 14{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34584699 |title=2019 Island Games: Gibraltar axes football, cycling and volleyball |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=5 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205200328/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34584699 |url-status=live}}

2021

|colspan=5 align=center data-sort-value="XX"| Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic{{cite web|url=https://www.iiga.org/news_story_648590.html|title=Guernsey NatWest International Island Games 2021 postponed|publisher=International Island Games Association|date=26 September 2020|access-date=23 December 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031233547/https://www.iiga.org/news_story_648590.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/2020/12/15/stability-needed-after-games-postponement/|title='Stability needed after Games postponement'|publisher=Jersey Evening Post|date=15 December 2020|access-date=23 December 2020|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215165601/https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/2020/12/15/stability-needed-after-games-postponement/|url-status=live}}

2023

|align=center|2023 Island Games

|{{flag|Guernsey}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-36693949|title=Guernsey to host 2021 Island Games|publisher=BBC News|date=2 July 2016|access-date=4 July 2016|archive-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707030233/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-36693949|url-status=live}}

| align=center|24

| align=right data-sort-value="2,194"|2,194

| align=center|14

2025

|align=center|XX

|{{flag|Orkney}}{{cite web|url=https://www.orcadian.co.uk/orkney-to-host-2023-natwest-island-games/|title=Orkney to host 2023 Island Games|date=7 July 2018|access-date=7 July 2018|archive-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172555/https://www.orcadian.co.uk/orkney-to-host-2023-natwest-island-games/|url-status=live}}

|

|

|align=center|12

2027

|align=center|XXI

|{{flag|Faroe Islands}}{{cite web|url=https://ymiga.com/2020/09/28/ynys-mon-secure-rights-to-host-international-island-games/|title=Ynys Môn secure rights to host International Island Games|date=28 September 2020|access-date=4 November 2020|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228045828/https://ymiga.com/2020/09/28/ynys-mon-secure-rights-to-host-international-island-games/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iiga.org/news_story_814642.html|title=Island Games 2027 - New Hosts|date=22 December 2023|access-date=22 December 2023}}

|

|

|align=center|

2029

|align=center|XXII

|{{flag|Isle of Man}}{{cite web |url=https://bernews.com/2020/12/natwest-island-games-held-2023/ |title=2021 Island Games Postponed To 2023 |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121035144/https://bernews.com/2020/12/natwest-island-games-held-2023/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c6p2qm2gv97o|title=Isle of Man confirmed as 2029 Island Games host|date=15 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}

|

|

|align=center|14

Participation

A total of 28 islands, island groups or territories have participated in the Island Games; eleven of these have participated in every Island Games.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

{{Location map+

|World

|float=left

|width=420

|caption={{center|Locations of Island Games teams}}

|places=

{{Location map~|World|lat=50|long=10|label=

Europe
|mark =Diamond_sheer_red_37.png|marksize = 75}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=74|long=-45|label=

Greenland
}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=32|long=-64|label=

Bermuda
}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=19|long=-81|label=

Cayman Islands
}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=-15|long=-05|label=

Saint Helena
}}

{{Location map~|World|lat=-51|long=-57|label=

Falkland Islands
}}

{{location map~|World|lat=47|long=-63|label=

Prince Edward Island
|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

}}

{{col-break}}

{{Location map+

|Europe

|float=right

|width=420

|caption={{center|Locations of Island Games teams in Europe}}

|places=

{{location map~|Europe|lat=60.|long=20|label=

Åland
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=49.42|long=-2.12|label=

Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=62.|long=-6.4|label=

Faroe Islands
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=63.5|long=8.5|label=

Frøya
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=36.1|long=-5.3|label=

Gibraltar
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=57.3|long=18.3|label=

Gotland
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=63.3|long=8.9|label=

Hitra
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=54.15|long=-4.30|label=

Isle of Man
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=50.40|long=-1.1|label=

Isle of Wight
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=39.9|long=4|label=

Menorca
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=58.9|long=-3|label=

Orkney
|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=58.2|long=22.3|label=

Saaremaa
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=60.4|long=-1.1|label=

Shetland
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=57.7|long=-7.0|label=

Western Isles
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=36.2|long=14|label=

Gozo
|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=65|long=-18|label=

Iceland
|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=36|long=14.2|label=

Malta
|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=36.5|long=28|label=

Rhodes
|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=53.3|long=-4.3|label=

Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
|position=right}}

}}

{{col-end}}

= Medals =

Every island has won at least 4 medals with Alderney the only island awaiting their first Gold.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Island Games participants and total medals won (to 2023)

! Island(s)

! Country (and status)

! Population

! Years

! style="background-color: gold" | Gold

! style="background-color: silver" |Silver

! style="background-color: #CC9966" | Bronze

! Total

align=left|{{flag|Åland}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|FIN}} Finland (autonomous province)

|align=right|28,666

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" |191

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 200style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 190.5581.5
align=left|{{flag|Alderney}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (island; part of the crown dependency (Bailiwick) of Guernsey)

|align=right|1,900

|1987, 1993–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 0

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 2style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 35
align=left|{{flag|Bermuda}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"|British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are not part of the United Kingdom, but their sovereignty is the responsibility of the United Kingdom as they are not sovereign countries themselves.}} (overseas territory)

|align=right|64,200

|2003–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 107

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 115style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 119341
align=left|{{flag|Cayman Islands}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (overseas territory)

|align=right|56,700

|1999–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 133

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 107style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 91331
align=left|{{flag|Falkland Islands}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (overseas territory)

|align=right|2,900

|1993–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 2

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 11style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 1326
align=left|{{flag|Faroe Islands}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|DEN}} Denmark (autonomous territory)

|align=right|49,700

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 269

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 255style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 301825
align=left|{{flag|Frøya}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|NOR}} Norway (island municipality){{efn|name=Road|Connected to their main countries by road.}}

|align=right|4,300

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 1

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 1style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 24
align=left|{{flag|Gibraltar}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (overseas territory)

|align=right|30,000

|1987–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 77.5

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 86.5style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 119283
align=left|{{flag|Gotland|games}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|SWE}} Sweden (county)

|align=right|57,200

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 336.5

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 245.5style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 252834
align=left|{{flag|Gozo}}

|align=left|{{flagcountry|Malta}} (island)

|align=right|39,300

|2023

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 1

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 2style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 14
align=left|{{flag|Greenland}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|DEN}} Denmark (autonomous territory)

|align=right|56,081

|1989–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 24

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 31style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 38.593.5
align=left|{{flag|Guernsey}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (island; part of the crown dependency (Bailiwick) of Guernsey)

|align=right|65,800

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 536

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 549style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 5341619
align=left|{{flag|Hitra}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|NOR}} Norway (island municipality){{efn|name=Road}}

|align=right|4,250

|1985–1989, 1997–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 4

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 10style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 1528
align=left|{{flag|Isle of Man}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (crown dependency)

|align=right|84,500

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 530

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 495style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 460.51485.5
align=left|{{flag|Isle of Wight}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom (English county)

|align=right|138,400

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 203

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 208style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 220621
align=left|{{flag|Jersey}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (crown dependency, Bailiwick)

|align=right|105,500

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 634

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 625style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 560.31819.3
align=left|{{flagicon|Menorca}} Menorca

|align=left|{{flagicon|ESP}} Spain (island)

|align=right|94,400

|2007–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 57

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 57style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 71185
align=left|{{flag|Orkney}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom (Scottish council area)

|align=right|21,300

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;"| 23

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 41style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 44108
align=left|{{flag|Saaremaa}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|EST}} Estonia (county)

|align=right|31,000

|1991–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 126

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 129style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 101.5356.5
align=left|{{flag|Saint Helena}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (overseas territory)

|align=right|4,250

|1985–1987, 1997–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 3

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 3style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 511
align=left|{{flag|Sark}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom{{efn|name="UK"}} (island part of the crown dependency of Guernsey)

|align=right|600

|1987–2011, 2015–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 3

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 17style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 727
align=left|{{flag|Shetland}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom (Scottish council area)

|align=right|23,200

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 62

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 83style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 113258
align=left|{{flag|Western Isles}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom (Scottish council area)

|align=right|27,400

|2005–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 28

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 26style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 2781
align=left|{{flagicon|Anglesey}} Ynys Môn

|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom (Welsh principal area){{efn|name=Road}}

|align=right|69,700

|1985–

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 43

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 42style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 57142
style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"

|align=left colspan=2|{{flag|Iceland}}

|align=right|329,000

|1985–1997

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 50

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 45style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 40.7135.7
style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"

|align=left colspan=2|{{flag|Malta}}

|align=right|445,000

|1985–1987

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 6

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 2style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 210
style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"

|align=left|{{flag|Prince Edward Island}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} Canada (province)

|align=right|140,000

|1991–2007

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 6

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 6style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 921
style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"

|align=left|{{flag|Rhodes}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|GRC}} Greece (island; Regional Unit (Περιφερειακή ενότητα))

|align=right|115,500

|1999–2011, 2015

| style="background:#F7F6A8;" | 53

style="background:#DCE5E5;" | 52style="background:#FFDAB9;" | 45150

Islands marked in grey are no longer members of the IIGA and so cannot compete at the Island Games.

= Participation in other games =

Of the 24 current IIGA members, two (Bermuda and the Cayman Islands) have competed in their own right at the Olympic Games.

Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey and St. Helena have each sent teams to the Commonwealth Games.

=Olympic athletes=

Islanders who have gone on to participate in Olympic Games events include:

  • Dame Flora Duffy (Bermuda) — triathlon (Olympic gold medal winner) - Tokyo 2020
  • Sir Mark Cavendish (Isle of Man) — cycling (Olympic silver medal winner)
  • Alastair Chalmers (Guernsey) - 400m hurdles - Paris 2024
  • Cameron Chalmers (Guernsey) - 4 × 400m - Tokyo 2020
  • Dale Garland (Guernsey) - 4 × 400m - Beijing 2008
  • Rebecca Heyliger (Bermuda) - swimming
  • Pál Joensen (Faroe Islands) — swimming (World Championship bronze medal winner)
  • Lee Merrien (Guernsey) - Marathon - London 2012
  • Cydonie Mothersille (Cayman Islands) — 200m (World Championship bronze medal winner)
  • Kelly Sotherton (Isle of Wight) — heptathlon and 400m (Olympic bronze medal winner)
  • Mattias Sunneborn (Gotland) — long jump and 200m (World Indoor Championship silver medal winner)
  • Albert Torres (Menorca) — cycling{{cite web |url=http://www.iiga.org/page_376170.html |title=About the Games |publisher=IIGA |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195200/https://www.iiga.org/page_376170.html |url-status=live}} (World Championship gold medal winner)
  • Andres Lauk (Saaremaa) − cycling − Atlanta 1996

Sports

The host island chooses between 12 and 14 different sports for their games from this list:

class="wikitable"

! Sport

! I

! II

! III

! IV

! V

! VI

! VII

! VIII

! IX

! X

! XI

! XII

! XIII

! XIV

! XV

! XVI

!XVII

!XVIII

!XIX

! Total

!

! style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|XX

! style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|XXI

Archery

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |16style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Athletics

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |19style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Badminton

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |18style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Basketball

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}

|{{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |11style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Bowls (Indoor‡,
Lawn∞, or Ten Pin*)

|

{{Y}}‡{{Y}}*{{Y}}‡{{Y}}*{{Y}}‡align="right" |5style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}∞style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;" |
Cycling

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |18style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Football

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |17style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Golf

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}

|{{Y}}

{{Y}}align="right" |14style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Gymnastics

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}|{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |12style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Judo

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |7style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Sailing (may include
Sailboarding*)

|

{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |14style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;" |
Shooting

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |19style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;" |
Squash

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |4style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Swimming

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |19style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|{{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Table Tennis

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |17style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Tennis

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}

|{{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |15style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Triathlon

|

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}

|{{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}align="right" |8style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| {{Y}}style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|
Volleyball (may include
Beach Volleyball*)

| {{Y}}

{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}*{{Y}}{{Y}}{{Y}}*{{Y}}*{{Y}}{{Y}}*align="right" |18style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"|style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;" |
Total sports

| 7

91113141313141515141414141414

|14

1414style="text-align:left; background:#afeeee;"| 13style="text-align:center; background:#dfdfdf;"|

Notably, the Island Games' football tournament is one of the most well-established tournaments of non-FIFA international football.

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}