The week long event, for which Jersey is again sending one of the largest teams, will be heralded by a spectacular opening ceremony – funded by an Arts Council grant of £94,000 – with Lord Coe’s appearance being a real boost to the organisers.
Lord Coe, who played a part in the Isle of Wight winning the bid to host in 2006, won four Olympic medals, including the 1500 metres gold medals at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and set eight outdoor and three indoor world records at middle distance.
He is now, of course, seen as the face of next year’s London Olympics.
Isle of Wight officials are claiming that 3,000 athletes and officials from the Island Games’ 24 member islands will attend to compete in a range of 14 sports over six days.
The last Games held in the Isle of Wight, in 1993, was opened by The Princess Royal, who did the same for the Jersey Games in 1997.
