Island Games medal count to be hurt by no gymnastics

Bermuda’s medal haul at the 2011 Island Games will be impacted by gymnastics not being an official event.

Bermuda won 32 medals in 2009 in Aland, taking home 14 gold, six silver and 12 bronze, to place seventh overall in the standings.

But gymnastics won the lion’s share of those bringing back 22 medals from Aland.

Having said that, there are still some bright hopes for Bermuda.

The men’s basketball team will be out to defend its gold medal and has never come away empty-handed from the Island Games.

Jon Beard, Bermuda Island Games Association president, said:  “It is difficult to say, although we generally do well, how many medals we will win.

He added basketball “is always the most exciting sport and they have a strong side again, the men’s particularly and the girls look like they have a good strong team this time too.”

Beard also pointed to the golf teams as potential medal winners based on past record. He said although Damiel Augustus and Jarryd Dillas are not there this time, Bermuda will still do well in the men’s event and he was hopeful that Laura Robinson will aid the women’s team to place on the podium as well.

“They have quite a young side in the mens, but some good golfers.”

At the 2007 Games Bermuda won both team golds while Augustus won the individual men’s gold with Dillas winning bronze.

Bermuda’s president added both Brett Wright and Sara Lane Adderley have traditionally done well in the sailing events and there was no reason why the pair should not again win a medal.

“The sailboarders with Neil (Burnie) and company will be an interesting battle.”

Beard said the women’s volleyball team should produce a strong result and the men’s volleyball team should do better than last time around.

“Volleyball has been strong for a number of years and they are certainly going through a transition.”

He said while not expecting a medal from Bermuda’s shooters, with 10 members, this is the largest team we have sent to the Island Games in this sport.“They are the unknown because they have 10 shooters going instead of the one or two from the last game.”