Despite having trouble raising funds in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, Cayman is still sending a team to next month’s Island Games.
And although Cayman’s numbers are fewer than normal, the quality of competitor, like the expectation of medal success, is high, says assistant team manager Lori Powell.
This year, because of a lack of facilities at the main site, the games will be held in two locations.
While Cayman’s basketball and tennis teams head for Gibraltar, the other competitors – in swimming, shooting, volleyball and athletics – head for the main site in an altogether cooler and more windswept location – the Shetland Islands, off Scotland.
Cayman has a good record in the Island Games, finishing sixth at the last event, says Powell.
‘The team has been cut back in numbers quite a lot but we are going to do our best,’ she says.
‘They are called the friendly games. The people are very hospitable and we are very popular there,’ she says.
‘The Island Games are very good for Cayman because we can compete against countries with similar sized populations,’ she says.
Cayman’s team in Shetland will stay on board one of two cruise ships specially brought in to house competitors.
The team, which is taking Tortuga Rum cakes to distribute, is grateful to, amongst others, the Department of Tourism, the Ritz-Carlton, Deloitte and the CI Government for their help.
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