Gibraltar 2019: Everything you need to know
More than 1,600 competitors from 22 islands, including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, will descend on Gibraltar this week for the 18th NatWest International Island Games.
The British Overseas Territory, which sits at the mouth of the Mediterranean, is hosting the event for the second time, having first staged the Games in 1995.
They take place every two years and see small islands from around the world compete across a range of sports.
How big are the Channel Islands teams?
Jersey’s 162 competitors make them the biggest travelling team at this year’s Games and will only be outnumbered by the hosts.
Guernsey, who will hold the Games for a record third time in 2021, are sending 150 athletes as they look to get revenge on their island rivals after finishing a place behind them in fourth in the medals table in Gotland two years ago.
Alderney have a squad of 12 competing, while Sark’s team of two shooters will make them the smallest in Gibraltar.
Which sports are they competing in?
For the first time in Games history, volleyball is absent from the schedule.
Football was also left out - although many of the islands competed in a replacement tournament in Ynys Mon last month.
Archery, golf and gymnastics also miss out from Gotland, with ten pin bowling back at an Island Games for the second time after a 20-year absence.
Judo returns after 10 years away and squash six years away, while sailing is also included after being dropped in 2017.
Athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis and triathlon make up the other 10 disciplines at this year’s Games.
What can they expect from the venues?
Organisers say all of the venues for the Games will be fully operational, though some of the planned infrastructure around them may not be completed.
The swimming events will be held in a newly-built pool at Lathbury Sports Complex, but - like Bermuda in 2015 - they will be open-air with the roof installation still to be carried out.
Athletics will also be staged at Lathbury, while the squash and badminton are being played at another new venue - the Europa Point Sports Complex.
In terms of spectacle, the cycling time trial will be one of the most impressive events, with the finish line taking riders to the top of the famous rock.
Where could the Channel Islands’ first medals come?
There is a very good chance that Team Jersey and Team Guernsey will enjoy their first medal successes on the first morning of competition.
Two years ago, Jersey took a clean sweep of triathlon gold, while Guernsey won a pair of team silvers, and both islands will be confident of securing more podium places when this year’s races go off at 07:00 and 07:40 GMT on Sunday.
Who are the athletes to watch?
As ever, the Channel Islands teams include a mix of Commonwealth stars, Island Games veterans, and newcomers.
Here is our rundown of six names to look out for, including a GB sailor, a budding professional tennis player and a jiu-jitsu champion who has turned his hand to a new discipline.
How can you follow the Games with ITV Channel TV?
We will be bringing you all the best action from Gibraltar each weekday night at 6:00pm on ITV Channel TV.
You can also keep up to date with all the news, results, and stories from the Games online here, on Twitter and on Facebook.