THE custom of the majority of Jersey competitors living under one roof in a team hotel at the Island Games could come to an end next year when the event moves to Åland.
It is a possibility that, given the limits of the host island, the accommodation will be allocated to sports, rather than islands – a principle that worked well at the recent Jeux des Iles.
IGAJ chairman, Steve Jacobs, said: ‘Rhodes last year had a large capacity of hotels, it is a holiday resort, but they don’t have that in Åland. There are only about five large hotels, so they are going to have to use guest houses and schools, which other islands have used in the past.
‘It is all allocated by Åland and they haven’t confirmed anything thus far but they have mentioned it may be sorted by sports. For example all the archery teams from the different islands would be together rather than the Jersey team being located in one hotel.
‘If that happened it would have an effect on a big island like ours as there is a buzz and a great team spirit when you are in one place with everyone hearing all the results and seeing the medals brought back each day.
*Picture: Surfing competitors from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Isle of White and Jersey all stayed together during the recent Jeux des Iles in Guadeloupe
Article posted on 12th June, 2008 - 3.00pm
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