Rabey ready for one final Games with Guernsey

Orla Rabey says the lure of swimming at another Commonwealth Games was enough to tempt her out of retirement.

The 24-year-old had planned to step back from representing Guernsey last year after winning 29 medals at four Island Games.

But the prospect of representing the island on the biggest stage she can was too enticing to turn down.

"After the Island Games my coach sat down and talked to me, he was like 'just sign the form for the intention to compete in Commonwealths, you obviously don't have to do it, you don't have to commit to anything and if anything comes like a career change, a move or anything like that, then you obviously don't have to do it'," Rabey told BBC Guernsey.

"But the timings have worked out quite well, I've moved to London now, but I only have three weeks until I come back to Guernsey and compete for the island."

Rabey is part of a 12-strong swimming contingent that makes up the bulk of the island's 20-athlete team for Glasgow 2026.

She will compete in the 50m and 100m butterfly, as well as the 100m freestyle and in Guernsey's relay teams.

In Birmingham four years ago, Rabey set the Guernsey record in all three of the individual events she will race in Glasgow - 28.45 secs in 50m butterfly, 1 min 2.37 secs in the 100m event and 58.67 secs in the 100m freestyle.

"Some personal goals would be to try and maybe lower the Island records which I previously set in Birmingham," she said.

"Also in the relays, potentially Island records there - we obviously had the opportunity to be in the finals for those in Birmingham so that would be amazing for us as a team to go and do that again.

"I can't really describe the feeling of doing those finals, you just have to kind of be there to witness the crowds cheering you on.

"Even though you're not technically the Scots or England in that respect, they're always really happy to see the Channel Islands there as well, because obviously they're part of Britain."

While Rabey is hoping to go out on a high, she is realistic about her chances against some of the world's best in Glasgow.

"Obviously it's the Commonwealth Games, the calibre is a bit higher than probably what it is in the Island Games - medal positions and finals and stuff is probably a bit out of reach for me.

"But I think you're just going and enjoying yourself, being the best you can, having a great time with my team-mates and just also getting to witness some incredible sport," she says.

"Seeing world records being broken or seeing these high-calibre athletes who do this as a full-time career is always really impressive to watch."

But anyone hoping that this comeback could lead to Rabey strapping on her goggles again at the 2027 Island Games and more events beyond should not hold their breath.

"I have definitely made the decision to step back at representing Guernsey," she adds.

"I've definitively said I'm not going to go to the Island Games, I haven't signed the form or anything like that, and everyone's kind of aware of it.

"I'm moving to London, a new lifestyle, a new job, it's a real big change and I think it is a really good time probably to say goodbye to competitive swimming, at least for a good while.

"I love it. Who knows, you may see me racing in masters meets and stuff in the UK, but in terms of representing Guernsey, I think it's my time to take a step down and let the younger ones have an opportunity.

"I've loved representing Guernsey and I would love to have other people have the opportunity to do so as well."