With the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics now over the next major international multi-event summer competition on the sporting calendar is the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Isle of Man will be one of 71 nations competing in Glasgow between July 23 and August 3, 2014. The 11 days of competition covers 17 sports; 10 of which are core sports included in every Games and seven selected by the host city. In preparation for the Games, Glasgow is currently undergoing major infrastructure work including a new sports arena which will be one of the largest of its type in Europe and an athletes’ village capable of housing up to 6,500 visitors.
While the Commonwealth Games are on a smaller scale than the Olympics it is still a hugely popular and prestigious event. According to figures from Global Television and Sunset+Vine - host broadcasters for the 2014 Games - more than one billion TV viewers could be watching. Those figures should not be a surprise given that the Commonwealth itself includes 54 countries which have a total population of more than two billion - a third of the world’s population.
However, the Commonwealth Games will involve not just member states but also countries which have an association with full member states. For example, the Isle of Man competes at the Commonwealth Games as it is a Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom which is a Commonwealth member state.
For talented Manx competitors the Games represent the highest sporting stage upon which they can represent the land of their birth. But to make sure that all of those talented sports men and women have a chance to represent Team Isle of Man it is vital that the Island supports fundraising efforts organised by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association. The IoM CGA is a registered charity responsible for organising and raising funds for the Team Isle of Man.
Juliet Holt, President of the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association, said: “Representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games is a proud moment for all competitors, and with Glasgow being so close it could be a unique opportunity for family and friends of competitors to travel to the Games to see them represent the Island. But there is still a significant cost to cover travel expenses for the team, purchase of sports kit and to fund projects to help our team members prepare for the Games. We’re fortunate the Government has provided some excellent sports facilities such as the NSC, The Bowl, and the Institute of Sport, but the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association has the primary responsibility for funding Team Isle of Man.
“The fundraising events we organise - together with the generous support of the Manx public - are vital to our Commonwealth Games team. Every pound we receive in charitable donations goes towards helping talented competitors realise their dream of competing for the Team Isle of Man. And every pound will be well spent when you consider the benefits the Isle of Man receives by competing at such a massive sporting event, and the lifelong memories and sense of achievement our athletes will take away from the Games.”
The Isle of Man has been proud to participate in the Commonwealth Games (or the Empire Games as they were then known) since 1958, the first time the Island sent a team to take part and when Stuart Slack won a bronze medal in the cycling road race. The Games began in 1930 and are now a huge sporting event with global appeal. At the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi two years ago Team Isle of Man won two bronze medals - Mark Christian in the track cycling scratch race, and Tim Kneale in the double trap shooting event. Many Isle of Man athletes have used the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone towards careers in professional sport and to compete at the Olympic Games. Mark Cavendish MBE, the cyclist who became World Road Race Champion in 2011, was a 21-year-old amateur when he won gold on the track at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Donations to support Team Isle of Man can be made at www.cga.im.
