- By Gareth Wyn Williams
- BBC Wales live
About 120 athletes from Anglesey will compete against 3,000 athletes from 23 other islands when the events begin on Sunday
Representing an entire country is one thing, but what about showing up on your island at an international event?
About 120 Anglesey athletes, one of Wales’ smallest local authorities, are doing it at the Island Games.
This year held in Guernsey, the games brought together competitors from 24 islands around the world, including Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Greenland.
Teleri Sion sprinter Lewis Jones, 18, said “it’s great to have the opportunity to represent your island”.
“It was a special opportunity for Anglesey to play under her own name,” she said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m really excited… I’m just having fun, enjoying it all and that new experience.”
Teleri Sion Lewis Jones, 18, will compete in the 100m and relay
This is the 19th Island Games held since its inception in 1985, with around 3,000 athletes expected to travel to Guernsey this year, with events starting on Sunday.
Anglesey athletics coordinator Barry Edwards said the event was “the biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, it’s right up there”.
At the 2019 games in Gibraltar, Anglesey – which has a population of just under 70,000 – won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
But with a larger fleet this time around, it is hoped that many of the medals will once again make their way back across the Menai Strait.
Mr Edwards added: “The hopes are pretty high but the main goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves, do their best and achieve those personal best.”
Barry Edwards said team members made “friends for life” at games with people from other islands
Ffion Roberts, 23, who won a medal at the final games in Gibraltar four years ago, said she was “delighted to represent Anglesey”.
“I’m looking forward to the opening ceremony, it’s an unforgettable experience,” added Ffion, who is running the 400m, 200m and relay races.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing others take part, we’re all rivals on the track but we’re all there to have fun and compete.”
image source, Emma Roberts
Anglesey’s women’s soccer team has won silver medals in previous matches, losing 2-1 to the Isle of Man in the final.
Emma Louise Roberts, 23, plays football for Amlwch Town, was part of the women’s silver medal team four years ago and hopes to do better this time around.
“It would be great if we could take it one step further this time. The team was quite different but everyone worked hard,” she said.
“We hope to get something from the game again.”
Island Games 2023 will begin on Sunday, July 8 and run until Friday, July 14.
