Latest news with #InternationalIslandGames
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Princess Royal to open Orkney's Island Games in July
The Princess Royal will officially open the 20th International Island Games in Orkney this summer. Princess Anne will attend the opening of the week-long event at Kirkwall's Bignold Park on 12 will join TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will be hosting the ceremony in her role as Games Ambassador. About 2,000 athletes from 24 island groups will be competing in 12 sports including football, athletics, archery and swimming. It is the first time in their history that Orkney has hosted the Island islands include Shetland and the Western Isles with other athletes coming from as far away as the Falkland Islands, Greenland and the Caribbean. Kirsty Talbot, director of Orkney 2025, said: "We are incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to Orkney to open the 20th International Island Games."She added that anticipation was now "ramping up" for an event which could "showcase the vibrant spirit and culture" of the area.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Medals for International Island Games in Orkney unveiled
The medals for the first International Island Games to be held in Orkney will feature an image of the islands' famous standing stones. Jodie Brown, 23, from Kirkwall, designed the medals and won a competition to see them brought to life. The winning blueprint was picked by Orkney jeweller Sheila Fleet who described it as "iconic". Hundreds of athletes from island groups around the world are expected to descend on Orkney in July for the biennial sports event. "Jodie has created a very iconic design with so much that symbolises Orkney's rich cultural heritage," Ms Fleet said."The hollow circle stands for Orkney and the presence of the iconic standing stones."As a medal it has great impact." Kirsty Talbot, the director of Orkney 2025, added: "It is extremely fitting that the medals designed for the athletes celebrate Orkney's iconic landscape and will be a perfect tribute to the winning athletes who compete in our games."Presenter Lorraine Kelly will host the opening ceremony of the Games, which run from 12-18 athletics, badminton, bowls, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, sailing, squash, swimming and the triathlon will is only the second time the games has been hosted in Scotland. Orkney is one of the smallest group of islands in terms of population to have ever hosted the Island Games, which started in last Island Games were held in Guernsey in 2023.
