[13/07/2009]
“Together we made it happen !!” : Åland, NatWest Island Games

Description:
“The past week gave us one of the most memorable and exciting events that has happened on Åland in a very long time. Since the first teams stepped on our soil until the last ones boarded the ferry early this morning (08/07), there has been an explosion of smiles and laughter throughout the island.

Games record after games record was made and each day of competition showed all of us that the athletes are getting stronger and stronger for each year. The performances were spectacular and the spectators made sure that everyone felt as special as they really are!

When the final competition ended on Saturday (06/07) it was clear that this year the Faroe Islands was the over all winner with 81 medals all together, and an amazing 34 golds!! Well done! Isle of Man landed a well deserved second place with Jersey breathing down their neck on third.

The biggest surprise during the week must have been the weather, which presented clear blue skies and a sun that almost never set. With long nights and long days Games Street was a perfect place to relax and meet fellow sportsmen and friends. The music played until the early hours of the morning and the dancing probably lasted even a little bit longer for many.

The Games are now over - this time around. And what a week it has been. This could not have been possible without every single one of you that participated; athletes, volunteers, sponsors, organisers, spectators, friends and families. Every single one of you has been such an important piece of the puzzle and we did this all together! And together we have created memories and friendships that will last forever, bands between islands that will only grow stronger over the years and a vision of what we can be looking forward to when the next Games will take place - on the carnival island of Isle of Wight!

Thank you all for your participation and all of your smiles! Luckily it is only two years time until we all meet again on Isle of Wight for the NatWest Island Games XIV 2011.

Take care and again - Thank you!!”

Åland, 08/07/2009