The “Other” Olympic Medalists From The Caribbean

November 27, 2018 by

Reynold S. “Rey” O’Neal, OBE

By Rey O’Neal

The first Olympic athlete from the Caribbean to win an Olympic medal while representing his own country was the Haitian long jumper, Silvio Cator, who won a silver at the 1928 Games.

However the British sprinter, Harry Edward, who was born in British Guiana – now Guyana – had mounted the victory stand twice in 1920, winning bronze medals in both the 100 and 200 metre dashes. He would be followed eight years later by another Guyanese sprinter, Jack London, who won a silver medal in the 100 metres and a bronze in the 4×100 metre relay for Great Britain.

The list of athletes from the Caribbean who have won Olympic medals while representing other countries includes:

Athletics

100m (Men)
Harry Edward (GBR/GUY) -Bronze 1920
Jack London (GBR/GUY) – Silver 1928
McDonald Bailey (GBR/TRI) – Bronze 1952
Ben Johnson (CAN/’JAM) –  Bronze 1984
Linford Christie (GBR/JAM) – Silver 1988*
Linford Christie (GBR/JAM) – Gold 1992
Donovan Bailey (CAN/JAM) – Gold 1996

*Ben Johnson won the event in  1988.Later disqualified for doping violation. Christie was upgraded from bronze to silver medal status.

200m (Men)
Harry Edward (GBR/GUY) – Bronze 1920

800m (Men)
Phil Edwards (CAN/GUY) – Bronze 1932
Phil Edwards (CAN/GUY) – Bronze 1936

1500m (Men)
Phil Edwards(CAN/GUY)- Bronze 1932

110m Hurdles (Men)
Mark McKoy (CAN/GUY) – Gold 1992
Orlando Ortega (ESP/CUB) – Silver 201
Dimitri Bascou (FRA/MRT)- Bronze 2016

400m Hurdles (Men)
Kerron Clement (USA/TTO) – Gold 2016
Yasmani Copello (TUR/CUB) – Bronze 2016

High Jump (Men)
Germaine Mason (GBR/JAM) – Silver 2008

Triple Jump (Men)
Keith Connor (GBR/AIA) – Bronze 1984

4x100m Relay (Men)
Jack London (GBR/ GUY) – Bronze 1928
Roger Bambuck (FRA/GDL) – Bronze 1968
Hermann Panzo (FRA/MRT) – Bronze 1980
Ben Johnson (CAN/JAM) – Bronze 1984
Tony Sharpe (CAN/JAM) – Bronze 1984
Desai Williams (CAN/SKN) – Bronze 1984
Max Moriniere (FRA/MRT) – Bronze 1988
Robert Esmie (CAN/JAM) – Gold 1996
Glenroy Gilbert (CAN/TRI) – Gold 1996
Bruny Surin (CAN/HAI) – Gold  1996

4x400m Relay (Men)
Phil Edwards (CAN/GUY) – Bronze 1932
Roger Velasquez (FRA/GDL) – Bronze 1972

200m (Women)
Marie-Jose Perec (FRA/GDL) – Gold 1996

400m (Women)
Marie-Jose Perec (FRA/GDL) – Gold 1992
Marie-Jose Perec (FRA/GDL) – Gold 1996
Sanya Richards (USA/JAM) – Bronze 2008
Sanya Richards (USA/JAM) – Gold 2012

100m Hurdles (Women)
Patricia Girard (FRA/GDL) – Bronze 1996

400m Hurdles (Women)
Sandra Farmer-Patrick (USA/JAM) – Silver 1992

Javelin Throw (Women)
Tessa Sanderson (GBR/JAM) – Gold 1984

4x100m Relay (Women)
Beverly Goddard (GBR/BAR) – Bronze 1980
Marita Payne (CAN/BAR) – Silver 1984
Angella Taylor (CAN/JAM) – Silver 1984
Beverly (Goddard) Callender (GBR/BAR) – Bronze  1984
Christine Arron (FRA/GDL) – Bronze 2000 +
Sandra Citte (FRA/GDL) – Bronze 2000 (ran heats but not final and upgraded from fourth place after disqualification of the third-place USA team retroactively owing to a doping infraction).
Christine Arron(FRA/GDL) –Bronze  2004

4x400m Relay (Women)
Joslyn Hoyte-Smith (GBR/BAR) – Bronze 1980
Charmaine Crooks (CAN/JAM) – Silver 1984
Jillian Richardson (CAN/TRI) – Silver 1984
Molly Killingbeck (CAN/JAM) – Silver 1984
Marita Payne (CAN/BAR) – Silver 1984
Sanya Richards (USA/JAM) – Gold 2004
Sanya Richards (USA/JAM) – Gold 2008
Sanya Richards (USA/JAM) – Gold 2012

Boxing Medalists
Jose “Chegui” Torres (USA/PUR) – Junior Middleweight – Silver 1956

Basketball (Men)
Patrick Ewing (USA/JAM) – Gold 1984
Patrick Ewing (USA/JAM) – Gold 1992

Fencing (Men)
Fabrice Jeannet (FRA/MRT) – Individual Epee – Silver 2008
Fabrice Jeannet (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2004
Jerome Jeannet (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2004
Fabrice Jeannet (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2008
Jerome Jeannet (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2008
Jean-Michel Lucenay (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2008
Ulrich Robeiri (FRA/GNE) – Team Epee – Gold 2008
Jean-Michel Lucenay (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Gold 2016
Daniel Jerent (FRA/GDL) – Team Epee – Gold 2016
Yannick Borel (FRA/ GDL) – Team Epee – Gold 2016

Fencing (Women)
Laura Flessel (FRA/GDL) – Individual Epee – Gold 1996
Laura Flessel (FRA/GDL) – Individual Epee – Bronze 2000
Laura Flessel-Colovic (FRA/GDL) – Individual Epee – Silver 2004
Maureen Nisima (FRA/MRT) – Individual Epee – Bronze 2004
Laura Flessel (FRA/GDL) – Team Epee – Gold 1996
Sarah Daninthe (FRA/GDL) – Team Epee – Bronze 2004
Laura Flessel-Colovic (FRA/GDL) – Team Epee – Bronze 2004
Maureen Nisima (FRA/MRT) – Team Epee – Bronze 2004

*Laura Flessel has won more Olympic medals than any other fencer in history.

Judo (Men)
Teddy Riner (FRA/GDL) – 100 kg Class – Bronze 2008
Teddy Riner (FRA/GDL) -100 kg Class – Gold 2012
Teddy Riner (FRA/GDL) – 100kg Class – Gold  2016

Swimming (Women)
Enith Brigitha (NED/AHO) – 200m Freestyle – Bronze 1976
Enith Brigitha (NED/AHO) – 100m Freestyle – Bronze 1976
Malia Metella (FRA/GNE) – 50m Freestyle – Silver 2004

Tennis (Women)
Gigi Fernandez (USA/PUR) – Women’s Doubles – 1992
Gigi Fernandez(USA/PUR) – Women’s Doubles-1996

Weightlifting (Men)
Louis Martin (GBR/JAM) – Middle Heavyweight – Bronze 1960
Louis Martin (GBR/JAM) – Middle Heavyweight – Silver 2004

Notes:
Guadeloupe: GDL
Martinique: MRT
French Guiana (Cayenne): GNE
Anguilla: AIA
Netherlands Antilles: AHO
Puerto Rico: PUR

Jesse Vassallo (USA/PUR) finished 4th in the 200m Individual Medley in swimming at the 1984 Games but subsequently set world records in that event and in the 400 metre Individual Medley.

Coralie Balmy (FRA/MRT) finished  fourth  in the 400m Freestyle swimming event at the 2008 Games. She later set a world record in the 200m Freestyle.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: , , , , , ,

BVI Women’s Team Undefeated In Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fastpitch Tournament

October 30, 2018 by

By Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association

VISBA presents the BVIOC with the championship trophy won by they female team at the Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fastpitch
Tournament. (L-R) Mark Chapman (Treasurer, BVIOC), Kennisha Powell, Darier Malone, Bria Smith, Ephraim Penn (President, BVIOC), Denecia Hodge, Kimesha Adams, Tyalia Nibbs, Kaynesha Stoutt and Lloyd Black (Secretary General, BVIOC). Photo: VISBA

On Friday, October 19, 2018 the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball female team presented their championship trophy to Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC). Both male and female teams were invited to Anguilla to compete in the first Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fast Pitch Tournament from October 12th – 14th 2018. The teams played against Anguilla and two teams from St. Maarten for the title.

Upon completion of the tournament, the female team was victorious with an undefeated record, while the male team placed 3rd overall.

The final game ended with a competitive fight against St. Maarten Team F with a final score 4 – 3 giving the female team the title to return to the British Virgin Islands with. The team’s pitcher, Ms. Kennisha Powell was awarded Best Pitcher in the tournament. “The championship game against St. Maarten was pretty competitive as the game went extra innings
and the team did well,” said Ms Powell.

Mr. Penn encouraged the team to stick together and continue to prepare themselves for other competitions. He further explained that it is the BVIOC’s goal to work with the teams to have this completed well.

“While the team missed this cycle of the 2018 CAC Games held in Barranquilla, Columbia there are high hopes that they will continue to work hard to the qualify for the 2022 CAC Games in Panama City, Panama,” said Mr. Penn.  “We recognise  that it is very hard to keep a team sport going but we encourage the players to stay focused as the Olympic Committee fully supports the work done thus far.”

Mr. Penn also encouraged the involvement of youths and stressed the importance of having a program implemented as
soon as possible under the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association (VISBA) since softball is now in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the World Baseball Softball Confederation has made major changes in age brackets which everyone must adhere to.

The new competitions are 12 and under (mixed), 15 and under, 18 and Under, 23 and under, Open Male, and Open
Female and the VI must make the necessary changes with the youths in order to participate and to be competitive.

VISBA is in the midst of planning local activities and is hopeful that softball lovers will continue to exercise a bit of patience. In the meantime, the association plans to support other islands and tournaments.

“Although it has been an extremely tough year the team is excited about getting things in full motion,” said Terrence Chinnery, President, VISBA.

Team VI Returns with championship trophy from Anguilla’s Hit Your 2nd Shot 1st Fast Pitch
Tournament. Photo: VISBA

The 15 player team included Che’Vaunne Richardson, Claury Scatliffe, Darier Malone, Denecia Hodge, Bria Smith, Kennisha Powell, Deja Adams, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Tyalia Nibbs, Shaika Jeffers, Kimesha Adams, Makeda Fahie, Rogelle Edmonson and Shanika Forbes. Terrence Chinnery (President of VISBA) and the coaching team of Allen Smith and Jeremy
Penn accompanied the team.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Softball-Baseball Tagged With: , , ,

Death of Patrick Baumann, IOC Member sends shockwaves

October 15, 2018 by

Mr Patrick Baumann, IOC member and Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) died October 14, 2018 aged 51.

It is with the greatest sorrow and shock that the International Olympic Committee and its member NOCs learned of the death of Mr Patrick Baumann, IOC member in Switzerland, in Buenos Aires. He was 51.

Patrick Baumann was a central figure of the Olympic Movement.

Former player, coach and referee, Patrick Baumann dedicated his life to basketball and to the sport community. Deputy Secretary General (1995-2002) of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), he was then unanimously appointed Secretary General by the FIBA Central Board in 2002, a role he has held since. He has been greatly instrumental in the transformation and the growth of the sport in the international basketball community, successfully supporting for instance the popularisation of 3×3 basketball.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This is a great shock which has hit us all very hard. We can hardly believe this terrible news. Particularly since, even today, we have seen him working hard, as we always knew him, for the sport he loved. We lose a young and sympathetic leader full of hope who was standing for the future of sport. Our thoughts are with his wife, his children and his family.”

To honour the memory of Patrick Baumann, the IOC President asked for the Olympic flag to be flown at half-mast at the IOC Headquarters and at the IOC Headquarters at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires for three days. The IOC also held a memorial in the Youth Olympic Village.

IOC member since 2007, he had been recently appointed as a member (2016-2017) then president (2017) of the Evaluation Commission for the Games of XXXIII Olympiad in 2024, then Vice-Chair of the Coordination Commission for the Games of XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 after the French capital won the organisation of the Olympic Games 2024. He was also chair of the IOC Coordination Commission Los Angeles 2028, helping the two host cities to work closely with each other.

A swiss national, Patrick Baumann was also president of the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.
Patrick Baumann has continuously and actively participated in the IOC’s development throughout his mandate, as a member in the following IOC Commissions: Evaluation for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008 (as IF representative) (2000-2001), Coordination for the Games of the XXX Olympiad London 2012 (2007-2012), International Relations (2008-2014), Sport and Law (2010-2014), Evaluation for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020 (2013), Entourage (2014-2015), Marketing (2014-), Athletes’ Entourage (2015-2018); and Legal Affairs (2017-2018).

Able to speak five languages, Patrick Baumann was the owner of a remarkable academic curriculum: MBA from the Business School of the University of Chicago, a Masters in Sports Administration Management (MEMOS) from the University of Lyon in France and a law degree from the University of Lausanne.

A man of numerous talents, as a lawyer he always demonstrated a great sense of responsibility: he was appointed to the International Advisory Board of the World Academy of Sport in 2009, was a member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) since 2010 and was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Patrick Baumann was elected as a Council member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, he was elected in 2016 President of GAISF and in 2017, President of SportAccord.

“The BVI Olympic Committee joins the IOC in expressing deepest sympathies to Mr Baumann’s family,” said Ephraim Penn, President BVIOC.

Filed Under: Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With:

Opening ceremony and first event at Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games

October 9, 2018 by

BVI swimmer, Elinah Phillip (50m free & 50m fly) and Malik John (400m) at Buenos Aires 2018. Photo credit: BVIOC

Swimmer, Elinah Phillip was the face of the Virgin Islands when she served as flagbearer in the Opening Ceremony on October 6 at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She also was the first of the two VI athletes to compete in the third edition of the Games when she swam in the 50m butterfly (fly) heats on Tuesday, October 9.

Swimming in heat 5, Phillip touched the wall in a non-advancing time of 28.65 placing her 28/36. Her PB and national record of 27.31 in the 50m fly was achieved just 10 days previously at the FINA Swimming World Cup 2018 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Phillip, who was slated to compete in the 100m freestyle (free) on Monday was advised by her coach, Benoit Grattepanche to omit the race from her schedule and concentrate instead on the 50m fly and 50m free. The decision was made following a technical meeting ahead of the event.

Her next race is heat 5 of 7 of the 50m free which will start at 10:30am (9:30am BVI time) on Thursday, October 11. Phillip’s qualifying time for this event is 26.14.

VI track athlete, Malik John will also be competing on Thursday, October 11 when he runs in the 400m heats at 5.15pm (4.15pm BVI time).

The events can be viewed live on the IOC Olympic Channel.

The athletes continue to be fully immersed in the culture and experience of the Youth Olympic Games as they follow Young Change Maker, Keanu George’s recommendations of activities to enjoy and international athletes to meet. George has been trained to facilitate the VI’s athletes’ participation in “learn & share” activities and encourages them to embrace the YOG spirit of Compete, Learn and Share.

“There is a packed agenda of daily events and activities for the athletes to be a part of,” said Cleave Farrington, Chef de Mission, Buenos Aires 2018. “Working with Keanu, I try to ensure that Elinah and Malik make the most of their time at the Youth Olympic Games, which is much more oriented to facilitating the principles of Olympism for their age group than the Olympic Games which is geared towards older and more experienced athletes. I am pleased to report that the athletes are definitely engaged and appreciating all that is on offer.”

Photos and updates are posted regularly on the BVI Olympic Committee’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Filed Under: Athletics, Buenos Aires news, BVI Olympic Committee, Swimming Tagged With: , , , ,

McMaster wins 2nd consecutive IAAF Diamond League Trophy in tight race

September 3, 2018 by

Kyron McMaster (right) on his way to winning the 400m hurdles at the IAAF Diamond League final in Zurich (Mark Shearman) © Copyright

Kyron McMaster won the 400m hurdles International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) Diamond League Trophy for the 2nd consecutive year on August 30th in Zurich, Switzerland. McMaster crossed the line in a time of 48.08, narrowly beating current IAAF European and World champion, Karston Warholm from Norway who placed 2nd in 48.10.

“I have been growing a lot. I really enjoyed every experience I have been through. I feel good about today’s race. But I am very tired of course. It went exactly how I wanted. I got a good rhythm,” said McMaster on completing his race.

This was a tighter race between McMaster and Warholm than in 2017 when McMaster won his first Diamond Trophy in a time of 48.07 over Warholm’s 2nd place time of 48.22.

The 2 will meet again at the IAAF Continental Cup Ostravia 2018 in the Czech Republic on September, 8th. The competition will be charged with the inclusion of the Qatari 400m hurdles phenomena, Abderrahman Samba, who was absent from the Diamond League final, but will rejoin them at the start line in Ostravia.

The 2018 Diamond League finals was McMaster’s 7th major international competition this year the first of which was the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April where he won the territory’s first ever Commonwealth Games medal with a first place finish. Podium finishes in all subsequent competitions included 1st place finishes at the CAC Games in Barranquilla, Colombia on July 31 with a time of 47.60 and at the NACAC Track and Field Championships in Toronto, Canada on August 10 with a championship record time of 48.18.

McMaster is one of five BVI senior athletes who is a beneficiary of the BVI Olympic Committee Elite Athlete Program and a recipient of an Olympic Scholarship through Olympic Solidarity.

 

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: , , , ,

VI national team competing in 2018 NACAC Athletics Senior Championships, Toronto, Canada

August 10, 2018 by

The ladies of the BVI National team competing at the NACAC Senior Championships 2018 in Toronto, Canada include (r-l) Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Chantel Malone (Long jump) , Tynelle Gumbs (Hammer, disus), Trevia Gumbs (Discus, Shot put), Deya Erickson (100m Hurdles), Kala Penn (Long jump, Triple jump), Tarika Moses (400m), (not in picture) Ashley Kelly (400m),). Photo: Dean ‘The Sprotsman’ Greenaway.

The BVI Athletics Association’s national team is at the North America, Central America, and Caribbean (NACAC) Athletics Senior Championships, August 10-12 in Toronto Canada.

With the recent success of the territory’s track and field athletes at the Central Caribbean and Caribbean (CAC) Games, in Baranquilla, Columbia similar success is anticipated at the Championships which will include added competition from the United States of America and Canada.

The BVI National team consists of Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Chantel Malone (Long jump) , Ashley Kelly (400m), Tynelle Gumbs (Hammer, disus), Trevia Gumbs (Discus, Shot put), Deya Erickson (100m Hurdles), Kala Penn (Long jump, Triple jump), Tarika Moses (400m), Eldred Henry (Shot put), Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles), Shaquoy Stephens (100m) accompanied by team officials Willis Todman, Cliff William and Shaun Williams.

Follow reports on the event on CBN 90.9FM at 10:00am, 2:00pm and 9:30pm.

 

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: ,

Gold, Silver and Bronze for Virgin Islands at Barranquilla 2018 CAC Games

August 1, 2018 by

Medals at Barranquilla 2018 – Kyron McMaster, 400m hurdles gold and new CAC Games record with a time of 47.60, Chantel Malone, long jump silver (6.520, Eldred Henry, shot put bronze (20.18). Photo: CM Farrington/BVIOC

With one day of competition remaining for the Virgin Islands’ athletes at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, the territory’s senior athletes have set new records for the Games and for the nation so far as they secure three medals of gold, silver and bronze.

Last night, Kyron McMaster, ranked by the IAAF as the third fastest man in the world, set a new CAC Games record when he won the gold in the 400m hurdles with his second fastest time of 47.60. The new record, set in the final race of the night, surpassed the standing eight-years old Games record of 48.47 by almost one second.

On Monday evening, Chantel Malone leapt her way to a silver medal in the long jump with a seasonal best of 6.52. This was her second medal of the CAC Games after winning gold in the same event in Mexico in 2014.

The first win for the VI and new national record was set with Eldred Henry’s bronze medal finish in the shot put on Monday night when he hurled the orb a distance of 20.18m to break his previous national record of 20.00m.

This is the fifth consecutive CAC Games in which the VI has won gold medals starting with Dion Crabbe in the 100m at San Salvador 2002. Tahesia Harrigan-Scott continued the gold medal win when she came 1st in the 100m at Cartagena 2006 and again at Mayaguez 2010. Chantel won the fourth gold in long jump at Mexico 2014 and now the VI has its fifth gold with Kyron’s win. It is the first time at the CAC Games that the territory’s athletes have won 3 medals.

“It has been quite emotional here as we celebrated the 3 medals won at these games so far. I am exceptionally proud of the athletes’ achievements and I along with the VI delegation are looking forward to cheering on Ashley Kelly, Trevia Gumbs and Kala Penn in their upcoming events. I know the same is true for all their supporters back home and elsewhere.” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee.

Ashley Kelly will run in the 400m finals tonight while Trevia Gumbs will compete in the shot-put final and Kala Penn in the triple jump.

“To date, all 13 of the VI’s senior and national athletes at Barranquilla 2018 have competed in their track and field events and a full report will be distributed at the conclusion of the Games but I can confirm that all athletes have worked hard and have been excellent ambassadors for the territory,” said Cleave Farrington, Chef de Mission for Barranquilla 2018. “We have Kyron’s medal ceremony later today followed by 3 more track and field events which we are excited about. The majority of the delegation will depart Colombia tomorrow.”

Updates are posted on the BVIOC social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Filed Under: Athletics, Barranquilla 2018, BVI Olympic Committee, CAC Tagged With: , , , , ,

13 athletes to represent Virgin Islands at Barranquilla 2018 CAC Games

July 16, 2018 by

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.

Follow the BVIOC page on FaceBook for regular updates and results https://web.facebook.com/BVIOlympicCommittee/

Filed Under: Barranquilla 2018, BVI Olympic Committee, CAC

Community joins BVIOC in celebrating Olympic Day with Sports Festival

June 28, 2018 by

Participants of the 2018 Olympic Day Sports Festival. Photo: CM Farrington/BVIOC

Olympic Day in the Virgin Islands hosted by the Olympic Committee kicked off on June 23 with an early morning run and walk. This was followed by a Sports Festival to mark the globally celebrated day which locally, took place at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds featuring several National Sporting Federations and their athletes.

Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC also used the occasion to hand over new equipment donated by PanAm Sports to benefit the track and field athlete members of the BVI Athletic Association. Kit included shot puts, discus, hammer, and electronic starting blocks.

Around 70 runners and walkers registered for the 6.30am 10km/5km run and 1 mile run/walk on Saturday with top finishers receiving special edition BVIOC shirts and bags as prizes. More people arrived at the recreation grounds and the multi sports complex mid-morning to watch demonstrations and try their hand in athletics, archery, basketball, football, rugby, tennis, and volleyball.

Mr. Penn summarized the activities and achievements of the national federations over the last 12 months and invited attending national federation representatives to provide additional information on their progress.

“The public may be forgiven for thinking that sports had been put on the back burner since the August floods and Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said Mr. Penn. “However, this is not the case as illustrated by the National Federations’ reports of individual and team success. We are encouraged and excited that not only did the coaches and athletes show their resilience and determination to continue with their sports following the natural disasters, but they went on to win medals, titles and trophies and improve on their previous scores and times! Congratulations to all involved.”

Coaches from Athletics, Archery, Football, Rugby, and Tennis spoke on the recovery of their sports following the August floods and September hurricanes and encouraged attendees at the Sports Festival to join in their demo sessions taking place on the field. A 12-month review of the National Federation activities is set out below.

The morning set up included a 10,000 Step Challenge and an information booth on anti-doping. There were children’s bouncy castles courtesy of Digicel and Red Cross volunteers were on hand to ensure the safety of all participants. Roadtown Wholesale provided Dasani water, Powerade, Coca Cola and Sprite throughout the day.

Olympic Day was established in 1948 as an annual occasion where everyone everywhere can get together in their communities to celebrate the Olympic values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship and also celebrate the Olympic Day pillars: Move. Learn. Discover.

In his Olympic Day message to people around the world, IOC President, Thomas Bach said, “For the past 70 years, Olympic Day commemorates the founding modern Olympic Movement. Olympic Day reminds us that anyone, anywhere, can enjoy and benefit from sport. In our fast-changing society, Olympic Day is an excellent way to encourage all people to lead healthy and active lives and to promote the role of sport in society. Our thanks and gratitude go to the National Olympic Committees who are bringing sport and its values closer to the people through the many sporting, educational and cultural activities that are organized throughout the year. Thank you for encouraging people of all backgrounds and ability to get up and get moving, to discover sport and to embrace Olympic Values. ”

Photo: BVI Rugby Football Union

Junior tennis players. Photo; BVI Tennis Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review of National Federation Activity June 2017 – June 2018

BVI Athletics Association
2017 OECS Track & Field Championships – Team BVI won the Meet title.

2017 Commonwealth Youth Games – Djimon Gumbs placed third in the discus with a distance of 56.24 meters. Beyonce Defreitas placed second in the 200m with a time of 23.88 seconds.

2017 Diamond League Championships – Kyron McMaster won the event with a time of 48.07 seconds.

2017 World Championships – Chantel Malone placed 7th with a jump of 6.57 meters becoming the first BVI athlete making it to a final of a Major Championship Outdoor Meet

2018 Carifta Games – Rikkoi Brathwaite placed third in the 100m with a time of 10.46 seconds (BVI’s first medal in the male sprints in 41 years)

2018 Commonwealth Games – Chantel Malone placed 5th with a jump of 6.48 meters
Kyron McMaster won the event with a time of 48.25 seconds

Virgin Islands Archery Association
2017 – National Archery introduced in the schools’ program and 21 Students received scholarships of the $20K that was awarded in 2017. Participating schools included Cedar International School, Elmore Stoutt High School, Bregado Flax, Willard Wheatley, and Francis Lettsome Primary School.

The National Archery Team competed in Puerto Rico at the JEB Cup Developmental Championships and brought home 16 medals competing against 17 other countries (
5 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze).

2018 – After the departure of a few members of the team due to hurricane Irma, only 3 members of the National Archery Team traveled to the Dominican Republic in April to compete in their first world ranking event. The team missed the mark by 1 spot for the CAC Games.

BVI Football Association
2017 – At the Concacaf U 15 tournament, the national team won 8-2 v. Montserrat, 2-0 v. Anguilla, and 8-2 v. Turks & Caicos and finished 4th out of 16 in Division C.
January 2018 – Played in the Premier U 12 Tournament in Puerto Rico and finished 3rd having won 1, drawn 1, and lost 1.
2018 U 14 Flanders Cup in St. Martin – Finished 2nd having defeated the favourites Martinique and St. Martin teams to advance in the finals.

At the 2018 World Cup, Deshawn Richardson, 13 and 12 year old Ryan Ramlall attended the Gasprom F4F 2018 program in Moscow, Russia as a footballer and journalist respectively. The boys participated in 3-day camps which focused respectively in journalism and soccer. The culmination were interviews by Ryan getting published and Deshawn’s team, the Humpback Whales, making it to the semi-finals of the F4F championship. Both Ryan and Deshawn represented the BVI well.

BVIFA also have successfully conducted the Senior Men’s National League and the Primary and Secondary School Leagues.

BVI Rugby Football Union
Rugby is now back in the schools and training is in full swing for all men and women.
In April 2018, BVI won the Kowloon 10s RugbyFest in Hong Kong.
In May 2018, the national team represented in an international match against Turks and Caicos Islands in the TCI.

Royal BVI Yacht Club
BVI youth sailing is ongoing at Nanny Cay Marina.
Thad Lettsome, representing the BVI at the 47th Youth Sailing World Championships in Sanya, China in December 2017 finished in 33rd position in the Laser Radial Class.
The RBVIYC hosted the annual Manhattan Yacht Club Trophy in February, the annual BVI Spring Regatta in April and the 2018 BVI Dinghy Championships in May.

BVI Squash Rackets Association
A new coach will start the squash program in July. Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino competed at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Joe won the Plate.
The VI team competed in the annual OECS Squash Championships in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in May.

BVI Swimming Association
Elinah Phillip won 3 silver medals in the 50m Fly, 50m Freestyle, and 200m Freestyle at the Carifta Swimming Championships held in Jamaica in April.

BVI Tennis Association
Tennis programme is ongoing at the East End Tennis Courts.
Deandrea Baijnauth competed in the C. O. Williams COTECC U14s International Junior Tennis Tournament in Barbados in April.
Three juniors competed in the 6th annual Caribbean 12 & Under Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament in Antigua in May.
The association successfully hosted open tennis days for Mothers’ Day and World Tennis Day.

Virgin Islands Volleyball Association
The association organised the 2 on 2 male and female Beach volleyball tournament which concluded earlier in June.

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball Tagged With: , ,

McMaster represents athletes of small countries winning first medals at Commonwealth Games

April 16, 2018 by

Kyron McMaster represented athletes of small nations winning their first Games’ medal in the official Commonwealth Games’ Federation wrap up press conference. (L-r) Andy Street, Mayor, West Midlands; Kyron McMaster, Gold Medalist 400m Hurdler, BVI; Mark Peters, CEO, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; Peter Beattie AC, Chairman, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; David Grevemberg CBE, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; Louise Martin CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation.

Kyron McMaster, the 400m hurdles champion and inaugural British Virgin Islands (VI) gold medalist sat on the head table with top executives of the Commonwealth Games Federation, GOLDOC, and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the final day press conference of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The line up included Andy Street, Mayor, West Midlands; Kyron McMaster, Gold Medalist 400m Hurdles; Mark Peters, CEO, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; Peter Beattie AC, Chairman, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; David Grevemberg CBE, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; and Louise Martin CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation.

The first half of the two-part conference focused on the wrap up of the Games and reflections of the event.

Speaking on two memorable events in what is being dubbed ‘Game of Firsts’, Ms. Martin said, “Forty-three countries have won medals. Five of these are first ever medals and they’re all small countries which, to me, is exceptional.”

Identifying the win of the first medal for the VI as one of the memorable moments of the Games, Kyron was asked to share his experience on winning and on the public’s reaction to it.

“Winning the first medal for the British Virgin Islands was big,” said Kyron. “Before the race, everyone was messaging me crazily saying, ‘no pressure, but we want the medal’.”

“Winning it after what we have been through (Hurricane Irma), I was happy that I could deliver on that and especially the gold medal. Everyone was just so happy and so I was happy to bring some joy back to the BVI.”

A lot of the stories behind the athletes at the Games have been about triumph through adversity and Kyron explained what winning the medal has meant to him given the impact of Hurricane Irma.

“It gives athletes hope when they see me go out there and do it. Not only for the athletes back home but also those from other small countries who haven’t medaled yet, who can say ‘if this small-town boy can do it, we can do it’,” said Kyron. “For the athletes back home, I know that they are looking at it as motivation regardless of the standards of their training. They can use it and can progress.”

Kyron looks forward to competing at Doha 2018, Qatar on May 4 in one of the series of fourteen of the ninth edition of the annual IAAF Diamond League. It will be one of the biggest Diamond Leagues he has attended.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News Tagged With: , , , ,
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