Best of luck to all involved. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Twenty young athletes from the Isle of Wight are preparing to represent their home on the world stage in Italy.
The annual World Youth Games take place between May 24 – 26 in Sardinia, with the Isle of Wight competing in four different sports.
These will be sailing, swimming and athletics, with the team also entering competitors in tennis this year.
David Pugh, Isle of Wight Council Leader wishes the team success, saying “The Isle of Wight showed in 2011 that local sports clubs and associations have an excellent record of nurturing and developing young sports people who have gone on to perform at the highest level.
“Any type of event where young athletes get to take part in a competition atmosphere can only be good for their development. I know all the athletes will do their best and I look forward to welcoming them home with a number of medals.”
Ninth World Youth Games for Isle of Wight
Other islands taking part in the competition include Jersey, Majorca, Corsica, Sicily and Sardinia.
This will be the ninth time the Isle of Wight has competed in the world youth games, with many young athletes going on to represent the Isle of Wight in other national and international competitions like the NatWest Island Games which was hosted on the Island last year.
Last year during the competition held in Sicily in Italy, with team bringing home four medals. Their best ever performance came in 2010 when they won nine medals. The Games are jointly funded by the host Island, New Opportunities fund and local sponsors Wightlink.
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
