ALMOST 100 of the best athletes from Ynys Mon arrived in Gibraltar today (Friday) ahead of their tilt at NatWest International Island Games competition success.

The bi-annual event, commonly referred to as a mini-Olympics for the small islands of the world, takes place in Gibraltar this year and includes a host of sports from track and field, badminton, swimming and much more.

Some of the biggest names in sport have found their grounding in the games, such as Isle of Man cycling superstar Mark Cavendish, and Ynys Mon have been competing at the showcase since its inception back in 1985.

In 2017, Ynys Mon won one gold medal, four silvers and four bronzes out in Gotland, who hosted two years ago.

Any success this time around would be a significant boost to the island, who are in the process of finalising their bid to host the International Island Games in 2025 and recently secured gold and silver from the Inter-Island Games football tournament.

David Tommis, Ynys Mon Island Games Association chairman, said: “We are really looking forward to arriving in Gibraltar and competing in the 2019 NatWest International Island Games.

“This is a very exciting time for sport on Ynys Mon already and to have our best and brightest athletes heading out to compete in a wide range of sports representing our island on the international stage over the next week or so only adds to that.

“This is going to be a hugely beneficial week for everyone involved in the 2019 games and we look forward to our athletes fully taking advantage of the experience and creating memories and friendships that will last long after this summer’s games conclude.”