Senior athletes Eldred Henry, (and pictured l-r) Ashley Kelly, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chantel Malone and Kyron McMaster flanking BVIOC President, Ephraim Penn are part of the team of 13 to represent the Virgin Islands at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia July 19 – August 3). Photo: BVIOC
The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has confirmed that 13 athletes will represent the Virgin Islands at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games which will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 – August 3, 2018.
The team comprising 7 track and 6 field athletes will arrive into Colombia between July 18 and July 26 ahead of their events which take place in the Roberto Melendez Stadium starting July 29. Chef de Mission, Michael Farrington and Coach Winston Potter are in Barranquilla ahead of the athletes in preparation for their arrival.
“We are completing some final tasks and making sure that the athletes will be as comfortable as possible in their surroundings before and during their events,” said Farrington. “We are looking forward to the arrival of the rest of the delegation and can confirm that the CAC Games organisers and hosts are excited to welcome the VI team.”
Senior track athletes include Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Ashley Kelly (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles). While Barranquilla 2018 will be the first CAC Games for Ashley and Kyron, it will be the fourth appearance for Tahesia, a two-times gold medal champion at the Central American and Caribbean Games Cartagena de Indias 2006 and Mayaguez 2010 and finalist at Veracruz 2014. The 4 national track athletes who also qualified to represent the territory at the Games for the first time are Deya Erickson (100m hurdles), Shaquoy Stephens (100m), Ronique Todman (200m and 400m), and Adriano Gumbs (400m).
The senior field athletes are Chantel Malone (long jump) who debuted at the CAC Games with a gold medal finish at Veracruz 2014 and Eldred Henry (shot put) who will make his first appearance at a CAC Games and will be the Flag Bearer in the Opening Ceremony on July 19. Tynelle Gumbs (hammer throw and discus), Trevia Gumbs (shot put and discus), Kala Penn (long jump and triple jump), and Akeem Bradshaw (long jump and triple jump) complete the VI’s roster of field athletes.
“This is yet another strong team that will be representing the VI in what is the territory’s second international event this year following on from the Gold Coast 2018 Games in April,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “All the athletes have been doing well at their various meets this season and the BVIOC congratulates them on making the team. We are looking forward to their performances as we hope for another successful outcome across the board.”
The VI delegation to Barranquilla 2018 also includes Ephraim Penn, Lloyd Black (Secretary General, BVIOC), Lindel Hodge (Sub Chef), Omar Jones, and Anna-Belle Skelton-Malone (Athletics coaches), and Doug Arter (Physiotherapist).
The CAC Games are the oldest continuous running regional games dating back to 1926. Held every four years, the Games typically host competitors from countries in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda and the South American countries of Suriname, Guyana, Colombia and Venezuela.
The CAC Games are considered the starting point of international competition for athletes from the region who are seeking to represent their countries at the Olympic level. They are designed to provide a step between sub-CAC region Games held the first year following a Summer Olympics and the Pan American Games, which are held before the Summer Olympic. The next Pan American Games are slated to take place in Lima, Peru, July 26 – August 11, 2019.
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