The Bermuda Games set us a number of challenges, mainly due to location and cost.  Following discussions with the potential teams, the committee made an early decision to send a greatly reduced squad to the Games.  The total number of team members who travelled to Bermuda was 28 competitors including the management/medical team, media and family support.

Our main expense for these Games was the travel and accommodation. We did make substantial savings on accommodation mainly by Mairi Levack making use of Uist connections to access a number of home stays on Bermuda for the athletics team.  Main contributors to our funds were Breedon Aggregates and Angus Macdonald/Moidart Trust.  We are, of course, very grateful to all contributors without whose support we would not be able to compete .

The Western Isles competed in a total of 60 events across Swimming, Athletics, Cycling and Triathlon, winning 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. There were numerous other close things, particularly in the pool where our two swimmers agonisingly missed out on medals on 3 occasions. In general the standard of competition is improving across all sports and the challenge remains for us to keep raising our own standards and expectations. 

There were many highlights through the week. Kerry’s stunning win in the Women’s Triathlon; Donnie’s blistering kick from 250m out to win the 800m (I can still hear the “wowww!!!!” from the crowd!); Eilidh retaining her 1500m crown; the smiles on the faces of the girls after winning bronze in the 4x400m relay; the mixed emotions of relief and joy from Dolina and Christina finishing the gruelling ½ marathon, to win team silver; Jenny’s blistering first leg in the 4x400m relay; and so many more….

Eilidh Mackenzie - Gold Medal - 1500m

Donnie Macleod - Gold Medal - 800m

Kerry Macphee - Gold Medal - Triathlon

Women's Triathlon Team - Gold Medal

Donnie Macleod - Silver Medal - 400m

Women's Half Marathon Team - Silver Medal

Women's 4 x 400m Relay Team - Bronze Medal

Eilidh Mackenzie - Bronze Medal - 800m

Women's Time Trial Team - Bronze Medal

Kerry Macphee - Bronze Medal - Town Centre Criterium

Looking back at the Bermuda Games, and the success achieved it would be easy to say that we have ‘turned a corner’ or ‘arrived’ as a team.  It’s probably fairer to say that we have managed to position the Games in its proper position – as a platform for our elite athletes to perform on (i.e. our most committed, talented and best prepared athletes).  At the time of the Bermuda Games nine of our eleven medallists were based on the mainland.  While our most talented athletes will continue to relocate to the mainland for one reason or another our continued aim must be to encourage and support the development of young talent on the Islands.