When we look to travel overseas are we aware that we are staying in a once remote, detached part of Britain? Some items in the Athletics world news made me think about this recently; not earth shattering items but interesting nontheless.
Familiar British Overseas Territories as they have been known since 1981, include Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands which, for political reasons we would probably cite as prime examples.
Other countries familiar to us as simply holiday islands may not fall into any governance category in our minds at all, however, some are possibly more traditionally British than we are back home! The crown is vehemently defended and the title of British Overseas Territory is proudly retained. In the Caribbean you will find Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla. All are governed slightly differently with British involvement now limited however our joint history will link us well into the future.
At Destinology we are particularly fond of these islands, for example the less well known and seriously laid back Anguilla has become one of those celebrity destinations frequented by those who prefer NOT to be seen.
At just one quarter the size of the Isle of Wight and with only 13,500 inhabitants this coral island has more of a small town feel than a country.
It has however made sporting news headlines in the UK over one particular young lady who wants to compete in the long jump event. Unsurprisingly, Anguilla does not have an Olympic Committee and as the International Olympic Committee does not recognise dependent territories it cannot send athletes to the games.
So 22-year old Shara Proctor transferred her allegiance to Great Britain last November in order to compete in the London 2012 Olympics and made her debut for the country last week at the European Team Championships in Sweden.
'My parents support my decision to come here because they knew I wasn’t getting the support where I was. If I win in London it would be for Britain but in my heart Anguilla,' Proctor said.
Maybe not as per the script but Shara was praised for her honesty in this statement; it is seen as preferable to the less than believable pledges made by some athletes who change allegiance in order to gain selection:
'To compete in the Olympics, possibly to win a medal, is a dream for me but the island didn’t have an Olympic federation. If I’d stayed with Anguilla it wouldn’t have happened so I made it happen.’ She has so far spent only three days in Britain - competing in Glasgow in January! And what did she think? ‘Very cold’!
Today’s weather in Anguilla was a balmy 84 degree average with gently breezes and no rain at all.
If you are curious about these little pockets of Britain abroad then why not visit our Caribbean section and check out our fantastic deals?