Video: Island Games Opening Ceremony

Dozens of Bermuda’s athletes took part in today’s [June 25] opening ceremony for the 2011 Natwest Island Games being held in the Isle of Wight. They join 4,000 athletes from over 20 islands in the inter-island games.There was a carnival atmosphere as the teams and entertainers walked through the Isle of Wight as thousands of spectators lining the route.

Sullivan Phillips – one of the few Bermudians to have played professional basketball – was given the honor of being the Bermuda Flag Bearer, while Tara Lambert was the Bermuda representative in the water ceremony.

Watch the Bermuda team walk in below:

Update: MP Charles Swan is in the Isle of Wight supporting our athletes and sent us the photo and said, “The Isle of Wight in its entirety is galvanised for this event, which commences today and finishes on July 1st. Bermuda’s team was led in by John Beard, and our athletes will be competing in a variety of sports including basketball, track and field, sailing, volleyball, shooting, archery, cycling, golf, squash, tennis, and sailboarding.”

“Our team is very strong..and we should be proud of ALL the athletes representing us. These games have provided a huge boost to the Isle of Wight’s economy, with hotels full and all manner of transport (both public and private) marshalled. It is important to realise that the young athletes here today are ambassadors.”

“As such they reflect our people and our island overseas. They should be encouraged and supported. Further, they will return home with valuable experience not only from competition, but also from their knowledge of how the 2011 games are organised.

“Bermuda hosts these games in 2013. Our teams will do their best here in the Isle of Wight…they have had a great welsome, and we should look forward and be prepared to welcome all the participants in 2 years time.”

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