The four athletes that make up Team BVI competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take part in the Opening Ceremony on a 3.7 miles parade along the Seine River in Paris, from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Pont d’Iéna starting at 7:30pm local time (1:30pm BVI time) on Friday, July 26. The named flag bearers are Olympic debutants Thad Lettsome, (ILCA 7 (laser)) and Adaejah Hodge, (200m). They will be accompanied by Kyron McMaster OLY (400m hurdles) and Rikkoi Brathwaite (100m), who will also be making his Olympic debut at the Games. Chef de Mission Tahesia Harrigan-Scott OLY will join the team.
“The Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games is always such an exciting time as it symbolizes the start of the biggest event of an athlete’s career in a quadrennial,” said Harrigan-Scott. “I am so proud to be walking with our team who have worked so hard to make it to the Olympics. We are also looking forward to stepping out in style in the Opening Ceremony wear which was specially created for us by Kristin Fraser of Trefle Design!”
This will be the first time that an Olympic Ceremony will be held outside of a stadium. The BVI team will be on one of 100 boats along with other small NOC teams and will pass under historic bridges and by iconic landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame and the Louvre and some Games venues. They will arrive opposite the Trocadero – the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower – where the official protocols will be carried out, the Olympic cauldron lit, and the Paris 2024 Games officially declared open.
Lettsome, who arrived in France in July 17, will be travelling to Paris from Marseille where the sailing events will take place. McMaster, Brathwaite and Hodge arrived in Paris on July 24 where they were welcomed by the Chef de Mission at the Athletes’ Village.
The schedule for the ILCA 7 races runs from August 1 – 6 in Marseille in the south of France. Track and field events for the VI athletes take place at the Stade de France in Paris and start on August 3 when Brathwaite will compete in the 100m rounds starting at 5:45am AST. Hodge will take to the blocks in the 200m rounds on August 4 starting at 4:55am AST. McMaster competes in the 400m hurdles heats on August 5 starting at 4:05am AST.
“The BVIOC is exceptionally proud of our four athletes that will be representing the territory at the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ahead of their events,” said BVIOC President Ephraim Penn. “The field of competition is tough, and we wish Kyron, Thad, Rikkoi and Adaejah the very best as they take to the biggest international stage in sport over the next couple of weeks. Their focus over the past quadrennial has been on securing their spots at the Games and to perform to the best of their abilities at the Olympics. We are excited to be cheering them on in each of their events.”
The VI delegation includes BVIOC President Ephraim Penn, Secretary General Lloyd Black, sailing coach Chris Watters, sailing assistant Tamsin Rand, National athletics coach Willis Todman, track coaches Gerald Phiri and Jean-Carlos. Sofia Fay attends as Press Attache.
The Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourabale Sharie de Castro will attend the Games from August 1 – 10.
Approximately 10,500 participants from over 200 Olympic Delegations will compete in 32 Olympic sports. The Games can be followed live on SportsMax Channels.
“With medals in mind, the BVIOC is seeking to boost the monthly stipend for the 6 athletes on our roster identified as likely to make the team for Paris 2024 which takes place this summer July 26 – August 11,” said BVIOC and BVI Commonwealth Games Association President Ephraim Penn. “The annual sum for the programme has already been allocated and we are very grateful for the sponsors that have come on board this year to help with the additional funds required by the athletes to continue to cover the services of their respective coaches and therapists over the next five months.”
Explaining more about the scholarship programme, BVIOC/BVICGA Treasurer Mark Chapman said, “The THSEAS stipend contributes to training and coaching, athlete support including access to sports medicine, physical therapy, performance analysis, nutrition counselling, and mental resilience training. These resources are critical in helping athletes reach their full potential and achieve success at the international level. Our reporting system for the grants ensures accountability and transparency in the distribution of funds.”
CTL has committed to supporting the THSEAS programme for four years with an annual sponsorship of $10,000. Mr. David Thomas, Operations Manager speaking at the media briefing said, “Clarence Thomas Ltd has always been at the forefront in trying to help any development that happens in our country. We believe in supporting and assisting where we can in the development of our future stars. We are in a unique position right now with our current world class athletes with more coming up so it wasn’t difficult for us to come on board and help.”
Conyers has contributed $10,000 to the programme for the road to Paris 2024 with an option to renew the commitment thereafter. Mark Forte, Managing Partner and Head of Litigation and Restructuring for Conyers said, “As a major employer within the community we believe strongly in supporting various initiatives in the community and are attracted to programmes that help develop, address the future and aspirations of talent. We identify with the notions of perseverance, commitment, achievement, dedication and no short cuts so we are proud to play a part and congratulate all those involved in the [THSEAS] programme. We wish all the best to our athletes and look forward to watching them strive in Paris – it’s not all about winning but it’s about development of the individual, the team, the community, and the country is the most important thing.”
