The small but mighty Channel Islands are gearing up for an electrifying performance at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletes from Jersey and Guernsey brimming with determination and national pride.

With 21 competitors from Jersey and up to 20 from Guernsey, both islands are poised to make a significant impact across multiple sports, including swimming, athletics, boxing, and bowls.

Team Guernsey manager Karina Jackson expressed boundless excitement about the upcoming competition. "We're all really excited. We've got athletes who are raring to go, get selected and make the steps over to Glasgow," she said, highlighting the islands' competitive spirit.

Alastair Chalmers, Guernsey's rising star athlete, is particularly motivated after his bronze medal triumph in the 400m hurdles at the 2022 Birmingham Games - the island's first-ever athletics medal. "I'm going to be going for that gold medal," Chalmers declared confidently. "My event's come on a long way over the last six, seven years."

While some sports like mountain bike cross country and road cycling have been cut from the scaled-down games, athletes remain optimistic. Team officials are particularly impressed with Glasgow's sporting facilities, with Guernsey's chef de mission Peter Jory noting the venues are "fantastic".

The games represent more than just athletic competition for these island athletes. Chalmers eloquently captured this sentiment: "It's a special feeling when I can be at a global competition against Jamaica, Nigeria, all these huge countries and I'm wearing the kit for Guernsey - a little island between England and France."

With team selections expected in April or May, both Jersey and Guernsey are looking forward to building on their previous successes and showcasing the remarkable athletic talent from these small but mighty islands.