Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has offered his best wishes to the Isle of Man competitors taking part in the London 2012 Olympics.
Cyclists Mark Cavendish MBE and Peter Kennaugh will carry the hopes of the nation in events on the road and track next week.
Both are reigning World champions and enter London 2012 with genuine medal aspirations.
In fact, Cavendish – the BBC Sports Personality of the Year – could become Britain’s first gold medallist of the Games in Saturday’s road race.
The Manx Missile will be aiming to produce one of his trademark sprint finishes when the 250km race enters its closing stages on The Mall.
Kennaugh will also be going for gold as a member of the British quartet competing in the team pursuit at the London Velodrome.
The 23-year-old Manxman was part of the line-up that powered to victory in a world record time at the 2012 Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne in April.
The Chief Minister said: ‘It is a truly remarkable achievement for a small nation such as the Isle of Man to have two home-grown representatives at the biggest sporting event in the world. The fact that Mark and Peter are already world champions and are considered medal prospects at London 2012 shows the tremendous depth of sporting talent we have in the Island, especially in cycling.’
He added: ‘Mark’s exploits in particular have raised awareness of the Isle of Man around the world. He continues to be a great ambassador for the Island and a fantastic role model to our young sportsmen and women. As a nation, we work hard to create an environment that nurtures talent and allows our young people to flourish, and it is extremely satisfying to see them succeed at the very highest level.
‘On behalf of the people of the Isle of Man, I’d like to say how proud we all are of Mark and Peter, and to wish them all the best in the days ahead.’
A third Isle of Man cyclist, Onchan’s Ben Swift, is in the GB men’s squad and is on standby for the road race, and the team pursuit and omnium events on the track.
