With one of the largest teams, Jersey’s athletes entered the tiny arena in Lerwick to a loud and friendly cheer from the crowds and fellow athletes, many kitted out in complementary ponchos.
The Jersey team was led by flag bearer Morag Obarska, who is the Island’s physio for the competition and a veteran of many Island Games.
Because of the bad weather the ceremony was cut short to just one hour – an act of common sense by the organisers.
After the traditional procession by the participating teams, there were a number of short speeches from local dignitaries before the Games were officially opened by Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell.
He said: ‘As London begins its preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games, Shetland today sees the culmination of five years of planning as the 11th NatWest Island Games, a biennial international multi-sport event, get under way.’ The entertainment and fireworks display have been put on hold until a clear evening in the week.
However, the traditional water ceremony, in which competing islands bring a sample of their local seawater to be mixed together in a fountain, did take place.
A special 30-foot steel map of the Shetland Islands formed the centrepiece of the fountain, but because of the constraints of the arena it was removed by crane as soon as the ceremony finished because the area is needed for the shot putt competition.
Pouring Jersey’s water into the fountain were the Island’s oldest and youngest competitors – Lauren Carré (13) and Myrtle Le Marquand (72).
Despite the weather, it was an uplifting ceremony and the Shetlanders’ friendliness shone through the gloom.
Now it was up to the athletes to provide the Games the islanders deserve.
