TWO Guernsey Island Games team medical officers have serious concerns about the heat in Rhodes next year, but are shocked that the island football sides have pulled out. On Monday, the Guernsey Football Association announced that they would not be sending their men’s or women’s teams to Rhodes for July’s Games.

No official reason has been given yet, but apparently there were health worries that the sides could have been playing in 30C- plus temperatures.

Physiotherapist Pete Lawlor and Dr Jonny Pearce have been to the last four Games with the island squad.

‘I’m surprised they are not going – it seriously devalues the status of the football competition,’ said Lawlor.

‘But I’m seriously concerned about the heat and how we’re going to acclimatise all our athletes.’

He used a comparison to last September’s Great North Run.

‘Look at last year’s Great North Run,’ he said.

‘It was run in 20C and there were four fatalities. We’re going to be running around in 30C plus.

‘I’m so scared that we could have some serious dehydration problems.’

Pearce was also disappointed with the GFA’s decision that has been met with criticism from the island teams’ players and supporters.

‘I’m disappointed that football have pulled out,’ he said.

‘[Heat] is going to be an issue but it really devalues the whole competition. They have been going for 12 years.

‘It wouldn’t be the same without the football. I think the decision doesn’t reflect the wishes of the players and the coaching staff.

‘I do share Peter’s concerns, though. I think the Games have got more competitive and people push themselves harder.

‘It’s an awful shame about the football but I think we could have prepared them for it. It changes the face of our team.’

Both men see proper preparation as key to helping to avoid serious health problems.

Lawlor recommends that athletes who will be competing in the Mediterranean island should train in environments similar to what they will be experiencing next summer.

It is understood that some sports are looking at using greenhouses to aid getting used to the heat and the humidity.

‘We’re hoping to fix a gym where we can put a treadmill near a heater,’ said Lawlor.

‘They also need to get used to cooling down in that heat.’

Pearce believes that competitors and support staff need to get together and discuss what needs to be done.

He wants the island’s top athletes who have experience of extreme conditions to pass on some of their knowledge.

‘There are massive issues and we have to address them,’ he said.

‘We plan to have some kind of symposium around Christmas. That’s our starting point.

‘We need to get the best information on Rhodes so that we can assimilate it. It’s going to take some planning and thinking.

‘Before we get there, they have to be fit and practised in their fluids and hydration.

‘They have to be fit for the conditions they are going to be competing in.

‘They are not going to give themselves a chance if they are not ready for it.’

The pair’s worries are not just for those who will be competing outside but also for the indoor sports such as basketball and volleyball.

‘Even for people who will be in air-conditioned halls it’s still going to be hot,’ Pearce said.

‘It’s going to be an issue for everyone.’