September 8, 2003

The sixth Indian Ocean Island Games came to a close Sunday evening, September 7th with Reunion (joined this year by Mayotte), finishing in their traditional spot at the very top of the medals table having won the most gold medals in this year's edition. Reunion has won the most gold medals at each edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games, with the exception of 1990, when host Madagascar took the honors. This years host Mauritius won the most total medals but was behind in the gold medal race.

Maldives failed to medal in this years edition of the games, only the second Indian Ocean Games that it has failed to win a medal.

Madagascar has been chosen as the host of the next Indian Ocean Island Games. It was announced the games will be scheduled for 2007.

2003 Indian Ocean Island Games Medals

Indian Ocean Island Games off and running in Mauritius

September 3, 2003

Halfway through the Indian Ocean Island Games in Port-Louis, Mauritius, and all is well. Some 1400 athletes from Reunion and Mayotte, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Maldives and Mauritius are participating in the games.

The opening ceremony was enthusiastic, with some 10,000 Mauritians shouting "Allez Maurice!, Allez Maurice!" to cheer on their athletes. A small crisis was avoided when, inexplicably, only five of the six nations flags were flying in the stadium. Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth, and President of the organizing committee Roger Henri, had to issue an apology to the delegation from the Comoros for the gaffe.

Richard Sunee and Josiane Nairac-Boullé shared the honor of lighting the games flame. Sunee became Mauritius's first gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 when he won in boxing. Boullé was an athlete in the first Indian Ocean Island Games in 1979.

Reunion and Mayotte (a French overseas department) are currently leading the medals table. Reunion sent a large delegation of over 400 athletes to the games. World boxing champion Willy Blain is Reunion's best known athlete at the Games. The Maldives sent a small delegation of just nine athletes.

A brand new 2-million dollar complex with boxing and weightlifting gymnasiums, and a fitness center was opened for the games. It was built 25 km south of Port Louis.

It was announced (this past May) that Madagascar was awarded the honor of hosting the seventh edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games, but no date has been chosen.

Indian Ocean Island Games Web Site