We must rally around the Games
THE timing of the information drop this weekend for islanders who will be affected by road closures for the NatWest Island Games this summer was either inspired or unfortunate.
The on-the-ball organisers of the long-awaited Games were well aware that there would be benefits in starting their communications a good four months before the roads will close.
But given the intemperate attitudes shown by some towards the weekend’s Guernsey Rally, this could be seen as a heated time to warn people about the problems they may have navigating in or out of their gateways.
The potential for damage to property and people from athletes on bicycles is clearly less than from speeding cars, but arguably the Rally proceeded with minimal impact on both counts, and offered a lot of enjoyment to many.
Organisers are aware that the Island Games can be, should be, a ‘great advertisement’ for the island. But people are already conflating the response to the Rally with the potential response to the Games’ closures.
The organisers will need support from islanders – and not only those who turned out in droves to support the sports 20 years ago, and surely will do again.
The public response and attitude shown towards the Games will reverberate around the globe – and Guernsey will want to be sure that it is seen at its best, in every way.