Having previously earmarked Guernsey 2023 as her last hurrah, the veteran triathlete could have retired then with so much time and energy already devoted to the sport.
Instead, she will be representing her island proudly for a fifth Games, not only in the triathlon but with her special role at the opening ceremony in Orkney.
‘When I found out I was quite surprised, but it’s a real honour to be selected to be flag bearer,’ she said.
‘It marks a bit of a 10-year period of me training [for] or competing in the Island Games.
‘So it’s a really nice way to probably finish my Island Games career.
‘I think this is going to be the last one. It’s been five Games now, so to finish off with being flag bearer’s a real honour.
‘I’m always really proud to represent Guernsey, but to represent the whole of Team Guernsey, it’s really amazing.’
Critchlow’s sporting services also include running the Guernsey Triathlon Club’s junior section and leading the novice-focused Try A Tri – which has been a launchpad for numerous Games competitors.
As a Games competitor, her results have got better as the years have rolled on, from tenth at Jersey 2015 to her first individual medal at Guernsey 2023.
Beyond her individual ambitions, the 46-year-old will also be joining Hannah Kennedy, Lindsay Sword and Chloe Truffitt for a team title defence bid.
Guernsey Island Games Association chairman Jon Marley highlighted just how deserving she is to fly the flag.
‘She has medalled every year, including her individual medal in Guernsey,’ he said.
‘She puts so much into sport and gives so much back, and she’s an inspiration to everybody who watches her in terms of longevity and will to compete.’
This comes alongside 14-year-old Medha Vallapureddy fulfilling the role of water carrier.
She is the youngest member of Guernsey’s badminton squad but also, quite impressively, the reigning Island singles champion following her milestone triumph against fellow Games pick Grace Edwards last November.
So far this year, she has won eight gold medals in singles, doubles and mixed at U17 level in Guernsey and Badminton England’s tournament circuit. This includes her singles title at April’s Warwickshire U17 Bronze.
‘It’s such an honour to represent the island, especially going off-island,’ said a player that once represented Guernsey in the U19 inter-insular aged just nine.
Although equally nervous and excited for the Games, where she will be Guernsey’s top singles player, she feels she is ‘really lucky’ to have such supportive teammates.
‘I’ve got an amazing team and they're all really cooperative, so I think this will be a really amazing experience for me.
‘Especially socially, to integrate with other players internationally as well.’
In keeping with Island Games tradition, water from all of the competing islands will be combined as part of the opening ceremony.
The Games get underway on 12 July, running until 18 July, as Orkney hosts the international event for the first time.
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