BVI Olympic Committee

Live broadcast of VI’s four athletes competing in Rio 2016 Olympics

July 20, 2016 by Admin

Rio 2016 #TeamBVI – Live action on CBN Channel 51

Four athletes will represent the Virgin Islands at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games which take place in Brazil from August 5 – 21. The BVI Olympic Committee confirmed that the VI’s qualified track runners, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m) and Ashley Kelly (200m) will be joined by young swimmer, Elinah Phillip (50m Freestyle) and field athlete, Eldred Henry (Shot Put) competing through the universality invitation.

CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI) acquired the broadcast rights for the Rio 2016 Olympics and the local scheduling of live broadcasts of events in which Caribbean national athletes will compete. Events take place from 8.00am until 2.00pm and in the evenings from 7.00pm until 11.00pm.

The broadcast on ESPN Caribbean will cover all Olympic events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies but will focus on Caribbean sports as well as interviews of Caribbean athletes prior to the events. The live coverage can be seen on CBN Television Channel 51 and listened to on the radio by tuning into CBN Radio 90.9FM.

Furthermore, the BVI Olympic Committee has invested in a decoder to be used by CBN to ensure that fans in the VI can follow the live broadcast of all the events in which the VI’s athletes will be competing.

The first rounds for these events are scheduled to take place on August 12 with Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the Women’s 100m Preliminary Round / Round 1. The Women’s 100m semi finals and final will take place on August 13. Also on August 12, Elinah Phillip will compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle Heats with the semi finals taking place later that day. The final for the 50m Freestyle takes place on August 13.

On August 15 Ashley Kelly will compete in Round 1 of the 200M. The semi finals will take place on August 16 and the final on August 17. On August 18, Eldred Henry will be throwing the Shot Put.

Mr. Rey O’Neal will be in the studio during the competitions with commentary and analysis of athlete performances.

“This will be the first time that we will have live broadcasting of our athletes in competition at the Olympic Games,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “We invested in the decoder because we really want viewers and supporters to be able to watch the action for which our athletes have trained so hard. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle and goal of every athlete and it is no mean feat to have gained a spot in this global event. There are flexible, affordable advertising opportunities during the Olympic Games broadcasts on CBN Channel 51 and any interested persons should contact the BVIOC on (284) 494 6920 or by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org.”

CBN will also be broadcasting the semi finals and finals for the VI’s other national federation sports of Archery, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Taekwondo, and Volleyball. FLOW customers will also be able to watch alternative live feeds through the FLOW ID app.

Updates on the VI’s athletes at Rio 2016 will be posted on the BVIOC accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and can be found on these platforms under BVI Olympic Committee.

Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, Stephanie Russ Penn will be traveling to Rio one week in advance of the August 5 Opening Ceremony to prepare for the arrival of the athletes.

In addition to Mrs. Russ Penn, the official delegation to Rio 2016 includes Winston Potter, Athletics Coach, Omar Jones, Athletics Coach, Benoit Grattepanche, Swimming Coach, Tracy Bradshaw, Swimming Chaperone, Matthew McGrath, Physiotherapist, Dr. Harlan Vanterpool, Doctor, Mark Chapman, Olympic Attache, Ephraim Penn, President, BVIOC and Lloyd Black, Secretary General.

Filed Under: Athletics, Buy Tickets for Rio 2016, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News, Swimming Tagged With: #teambvi, Ashley Kelly, Eldred Henry, Elinah Phillip, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott

Olympic Day celebrated with National Federations and a focus on Rio 2016

June 29, 2016 by Admin

Runners on BVI Olympic Day 2016. Photo: BVIOC

Adults and children kicked off Olympic Day in the VI with an early morning run in Virgin Gorda on Saturday, June 25. In Tortola, a mix of all ages came out in the afternoon to celebrate the occasion at the Tortola Sports Club by watching demonstrations in rugby, archery, taekwondo, squash and having a go at each of the sports in advance of the symbolic 2-mile run through Road Town.

Representatives for the national federations for Rugby, Archery, Taekwondo and Squash also shared information on the sports and encouraged attendees to sign up and get moving with a new activity.

Rio 2016 sailing hopeful, Chris Brockbank joined the Royal BVI Yacht Club to speak about the efforts he and his teammate, Alec Anderson had undertaken in their quest to qualify for this Summer Olympic Games. Whilst they did not meet the Rio 2016 qualification, Chris reiterated their commitment to pursuing qualification for Tokyo 2020. Club manager Tamsin Rand also spoke about the youth sailing programme.

The VI Swimming Federation represented by the president and members of the youth swimming team were also in attendance.

Ephraim Penn, president of the BVIOC gave a brief history of the BVI Olympic Committee and presented one of the founding members, Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal, OBE with a commemorative photo book of the tribute evening hosted for him by the BVIOC earlier in the year.

In keeping with the goal of Olympic Day to get the young involved and engaged in sports, Penn also spoke about the Long Term Athletes Development programme hosted by the BVIOC. The series of LTAD workshops will equip coaches with the resources to identify and develop promising youth athletes with a view to training them for major games such as the Olympics.

Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, Stephanie Russ-Penn followed with an update on the preparations for Rio 2016 confirming that the VI’s qualified track runners, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m) and Ashley Kelly (200m) will be joined by young swimmer, Elinah Phillip (50m Freestyle) who will compete as part of the universality invitation.

Russ-Penn then went on to reveal the outerwear for the Team BVi athletes participating in major games highlighting the integration of the Vigilante in the design.

Rounding off with information on attending the summer Games, Mark Chapman, Treasurer, BVIOC said, “Rio 2016 promises to be an exciting occasion and it’s not too late to get event tickets and support Team BVI in Brazil. The BVIOC has tickets for residents and anyone else who has a connection to the territory. Recent research also shows airfare via Panama is available starting at $1006 so anyone interested in getting tickets can complete an online request on bviolympics.org or contact the BVIOC office on 494 6920. The summer Games take place August 5 – 21.”

The afternoon set up at the sports club included tips and massages by La Ambiance Spa and an information booth run by the VI branch of the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO).

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and Red Cross volunteers were on hand to ensure the safety of the runners and walkers. Roadtown Wholesale distributed Dasani water and Powerade to participants along the route and at the sports club.

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, “Olympic Day is for everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability. The important thing is to get the couch potatoes off the couch. Although Olympic Day commemorates an historic event, its goals are aimed at the future and particularly at young people. Olympic Day is an opportunity to remind people that sport is not just for watching. We want to inspire all people to get active and to have fun. Thank you for doing your part by getting off the couch. Please encourage others to do the same — not just on Olympic Day, but as part of a healthier and happier life. Enjoy the day, and please keep the spirit of Olympic Day alive throughout the year.”

Filed Under: Buy Tickets for Rio 2016, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Swimming, Taekwondo Tagged With: #olympicday, BVI Olympic Committee, BVI Olympic Day, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 tickets

Olympic day activities celebrate the countdown to Rio 2016

June 21, 2016 by Admin

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) will be celebrating its annual Olympic Day event with multi-sport activities hosted at the Tortola Sports Club on Saturday, June 25th, 2016 from 2:30 pm – 6pm.

Based on the Olympic Day pillars of ‘Discover’, ‘Learn’, ‘Move’, activities kick off at 2:30pm with an opportunity for the public to discover a new sport and learn about Archery, Rugby, Taekwondo, Squash, and Sailing from the representative national federations and by taking part in the interactive demonstrations.

Other highlights include the announcement of confirmed athletes to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the Rio 2016 athletes’ slideshow, the unveiling of major Games uniforms, Rio ticketing information, tips and massages from Professionals for La Ambience Spa, the reading of the Olympic Day Message, and concluding with movement with the symbolic Olympic Day 2 mile run/walk through Road Town at 4:45pm.

The Virgin Gorda community will celebrate by assembling at the College grounds, Enid Pickering Building at the HLSCC Virgin Gorda Centre at 6:30am for the Olympic Day Run/Walk. Interested persons may contact Gloria L. Geoge at leolafoye@gmail.com and by mobile ‘phone on (284) 547 7404.

Free Olympic Day T-Shirts and Dasani water and Powerade, compliments of Road Town Wholesale (1975) Ltd., will be distributed to all participants.

Activities are open to adults and children of all ages and ability levels. Come out, take part and together let’s support the Olympic Movement!

For more information, please contact Cleave Farrigton, Executive Director, BVIOC by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org or by telephone on (284) 494 6920.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, BVI Olympic Day, Olympic Day, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 tickets

Coaches attend 2nd Long Term Athlete Development workshop

June 8, 2016 by Admin

The second BVI Olympic Committee Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Workshop was held at the Olympic Committee office May 27 – 28, 2016.

Representatives from the Football, Rugby, Tennis, Sailing, Basketball, Athletics and Archery federations attended the 2-day sessions which were facilitated by Mr. Istvan Balyi from Canada Sport for Life Society (CS4L), one of the initiative’s three co-sponsors.

The first session covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

Coaches were also taken through the process and measurements required to manage athletic development. They were instructed on how to optimise training and output based on the distinct capacities of male and female athletes according to their individual physical, mental and cognitive, and emotional development. By applying the appropriate ‘periodisation’ model, coaches can identify periods of optimal trainability throughout the life of an athlete to help them reach their full genetic potential.

The second session focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that were submitted for further development following on from the first workshop.

All the sporting organizations that were in attendance will now begin to work on the LTAD for their sport beginning with an assessment of “where we are now” to be followed by “where we want to be”.

The premise of the LTAD program is that it will pave the way for a healthier and more productive life and prepare the territory’s athletes for podium finishes at regional and international competitions.

“I was impressed with the workshop. I now see how Physical Literacy, the number 1 key factor of LTAD, is very important to the health of the nation, the development of sport and the concept of ‘Active for Life’,” commented Mr. Rhennie Phipps, a national Junior Basketball coach.

Other co-sponsors of the workshop include the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) with full endorsement from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The next workshop is set for September of this year and will cover Physical Literacy as a key factor for sport development.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: Canadian Olympic Committee, CANOC, CS4L, Long-Term Athlete Development, LTAD

Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy

May 5, 2016 by Admin

Front row (l-r): Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Richard Way, BVIOC President, Ephraim Penn, LTAD Coordinator, Angeleta Bernard and 68 participants including physical education teachers, doctors from the BVI Health Services Authority, nurses, chairpersons and members of national sporting federations and personnel from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare attended a two-day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy from February 29 – March 1, 2016.

Two-day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy from February 29 – March 1, 2016.

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in collaboration with Canada Sport for Life (CS4L), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and, with full endorsement from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare conducted a successful two day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy at the Fort Burt Hotel conference room on February 29 and March 1, 2016. Mr. Richard Way, CEO of Sport for Life Society, Canada was the facilitator.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee

Olympic flame arrives in Brazil

May 3, 2016 by Admin

The Olympic flame has arrived in Brazil. A special flight operated by LATAM Airlines landed in the capital Brasília early on the morning of Tuesday 3 May, carrying the flame from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland to its new home in Brazil.

Over the course of the following 95 days, the Olympic torch will visit more than 300 towns and cities all over Brazil, before arriving in the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro for the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on 5 August. The flame was taken to a welcoming ceremony at the Pálacio do Planalto, the official workplace of the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff.

President Rousseff used the flame to light the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch before passing it to double Olympic volleyball champion. Fabiana Claudino to start the Brazilian phase of the torch. relay.

“Brazil is now the country of the Games. We will remember this day and it will go down in history,” President Rousseff said, before using the flame to light the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch and pass it to double Olympic volleyball champion Fabiana Claudino to start the Brazilian phase of the torch relay.

Ephraim Penn, president of the BVIOC along with presidents of all other NOC’s, was in attendance at the welcoming ceremony.

The flame was lit at at traditional ceremony in the Temple of Hera in Olympia in Greece, on 21 April. Following ancient custom, a parabolic mirror was used to light the flame with the sun’s rays.The same day, a torch relay began that took the flame all over Greece, before visiting the United Nations in Geneva and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. On 5 August, the torch will be used to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony.When it travels by air, the flame is preserved inside special lanterns which sit on a dedicated seat inside the aircraft. Security forces guard the flame at all times to make sure it travels safely and never goes out.

Want to go to Rio? Click here to book your tickets and packages.

Filed Under: Buy Tickets for Rio 2016, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News Tagged With: Olympic flame, Olympic torch, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 tickets

100 Days To Go to Rio 2016

April 27, 2016 by Admin

Wednesday 27 April marks a significant milestone in the build-up to the Olympic Games Rio 2016. Only 100 days now remain until the Opening Ceremony, the countdown has well and truly begun. Friends and fans of the BVI can buy their tickets and Rio 2016 packages online via the BVI Olympic Committee web site at bviolympics.org.

With the lighting of the Olympic Flame in Ancient Olympia last week and the start of the Olympic Torch Relay, there is a growing sense that the Games are just around the corner. Another milestone in the countdown was completed today as the Flame was officially handed over to Rio 2016 – on 100 days to go – at a special ceremony held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the venue for the inaugural Olympic Games of the modern era back in 1896.

Before embarking on its three-month journey around Brazil, which starts in Brasilia on 3 May and will see it being carried by 12,000 people through every state capital and over 300 towns en route to the Maracana Stadium in Rio, the Olympic Flamewill make a short stopover in Switzerland. Following a ceremony at United Nations in Geneva on Friday, it will briefly go on display at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

In Rio, meanwhile, preparations are continuing apace. With the venues now 98-percent complete and most of them having been put through their paces at test events, the visual look of the Games is quickly taking shape, adding to the belief that the city is now ready to play host to the world’s finest athletes in August.

Though many have yet to qualify, a sizeable number of competitors have already made sure of their places at Rio 2016, with the likes of Jamaican sprinting icon Usain Bolt and British boxer Nicola Adams – a gold medallist in the women’s 51kg at London 2012 –set to grace the big stage in 100 days’ time. From the BVI, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott has secured her place in the 100m dash as has 200m runner, Ashley Kelly.

The qualification process is complete in a number of sports, however, namely artistic gymnastics, all the equestrian events, football, handball, hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, track cycling, trampoline gymnastics and water polo.

In particular, excitement is building among the home athletes. Speaking after Brazil’s women’s artistic team had sealed their place at Rio 2016 at the recent gymnastics test event, Brazilian gymnast Jade Barbosa said: “We all fought to the end and it was great. Now we’ve qualified we can train specifically in our events and with the Olympic Games in mind. This is a very talented team and we’re all focused. It’s all been worth it so far.”

As the final competition rosters start to take shape and the Olympic Flame makes its way around the host nation, Brazil’s dream of hosting the Games will become a reality. Check out www.olympic.org and www.rio2016.com for more ways to follow, as well as more information and the different ways you can take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

Filed Under: Athletics, Buy Tickets for Rio 2016, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News Tagged With: #100daystogo, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 tickets

Parents encouraged to increase physical activity in children

April 6, 2016 by Admin

Parents and guardians are encouraged to increase their children’s physical activities on a daily basis and support efforts to promote a healthier Virgin Islands.

The appeal was made as the Ministry of Health and Social Development joins with other organisations around the world to observe World Day for Physical Activity on Wednesday, April 6 under the theme, “Active Child Healthy Adult.”

Coordinator for Health Promotions Services and Focal Point for Non Communicable Diseases, Ms. Ivy George said the theme is welcomed as it is in keeping with the ministry’s objectives to promote the importance of physical activity in an effort to improve the health of the population from toddlers to seniors.

Ms. George said the Ministries of Health and Social Development and Education and Culture along with the sporting community are working with the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee to adopt the Canadian Sport for Life Long-term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy framework.

She said “The framework is comprised of seven stages and the first three targets children. Phase one is called the active years and targets children between zero and six. The second stage of development fundamentals targets males six to nine and females six to eight and the third stage focuses on training and targets boys ages nine to 12 and girls ages eight to 11.”

Ms. George outlined that the framework will also help to ensure that the Territory’s population becomes active for life. She said the programme will be delivered through health education and recreations agencies, and a number of awareness activities will be done throughout the year, to raise awareness of the importance of getting children to be more active throughout their childhood.

Ms. George added, “Parents can encourage children to play with a family pet rather than video games, take the child to the park, let the child choose activities that interest them, dancing, flying kites, riding bikes, swimming and walking the dog are all great activities that would promote physical activity for your child.”

World Day for Physical Activity seeks to reduce the rate of physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle in the general population, and promote the adoption of active lifestyles. The day’s activities also aim to raise awareness on the epidemic of inactivity and the importance of an active lifestyle in proving health and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases.

The community is encouraged to engage with their children in observance of Physical Activity Day on Wednesday, April 6 as the Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to advocate for a healthier Virgin Islands.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: world physical activity day

BVI benefits from Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop

March 4, 2016 by Admin

Front row (l-r): Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Richard Way, BVIOC President, Ephraim Penn, LTAD Coordinator, Angeleta Bernard and 68 participants attended a two-day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy from February 29 – March 1, 2016. Photo credit: BVIOC

At the Opening Ceremony Mr. Ephraim Penn, president, BVIOC, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Education & Culture and Ms. Ivy George, National Coordinator, Health Promotion Services, Ministry of Health and Social Development addressed the gathering.

The 68 participants comprised physical education teachers, doctors from the BVI Health Services Authority, nurses, chairpersons and members of national sporting federations and personnel from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Physical Literacy which means ‘having the fundamental movement and sport skills and motivation that enable individuals to read their environment and make appropriate decisions, while moving confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activities’, was of major interest to the participants.

The premise of the program is that it will pave the way for residents of the BVI to live a healthier and productive life that will help to manage the cost of health care.

Five sporting federations successfully submitted applications to benefit from the LTAD programme. Athletics, Rugby, Football, Tennis and Sailing will shortly embark on the planning of the multi-stage training, competition and recovery pathway for their sport.

Mr. Andy Bickerton of the BVI Football Association said, “The workshop was educational and very relevant. If we practice what we learnt and employ them in our sport, our athletes should be healthier and the occurrence of non- communicable diseases would lessen. It has pointed us in the right direction and we of the BVI Football Association will ensure that we work with participants instead of concentrating only on the elite players, in an effort to sustain our sport.”

Nurse Cherry-Ann George Smith of the BVI Health Services Authority said, “It is timely and applicable to what is being done with community healthcare. It is a means of primary prevention in non- communicable diseases and chronic ailments. I see where it may be used for all our clients. This has opened an avenue for networking with different sports. It was an eye opener and I am pleased to have been a part of the experience.”

“The workshop was informative and well structured,” said Mr. Elsworth Phillips, president of the BVI Swim Federation. “Mr. Richard Way made the concepts easy to understand. I now see where the BVI Swim Federation can partner with the sailing association with strength and conditioning, their swimming skills and water safety.”

Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, local coordinator of the LTAD, BVI was pleased with the enthusiasm of the participants and will be meeting with the committee, chaired by Mr. Penn to initiate the launch of LTAD, BVI and Physical Literacy in the national federations, schools and communities.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Rugby, Sailing, Tennis Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Long-Term Athlete Development, Physical Literacy

BVIOC to host Long Term Athlete Development workshop

February 17, 2016 by Admin

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in conjunction with Canada Sport for Life (CS4L), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and with full endorsement from the Ministry of Education & Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will host the first Workshop on Physical Literacy and Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD).

LTAD IS A MULTI-stage training, competition and recovery pathway guiding an individual’s experience in sport and physical activity from infancy through all phases of adulthood. It is based on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children. It is inclusive, addressing the needs of individuals with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and seeks to promote a healthy, physically literate nation whose citizens participate in lifelong physical activity taking them from healthy active lives to elite sport performance from the cradle through all the phases of adulthood and from the playground to the podium.

The workshop seeks to empower community leaders, athletes, teachers, coaches, parents, and others to train, educate, promote, and integrate concepts of physical literacy into our society.

This concept of Physical Literacy is just as important as the ability to read and write. It emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamental movement skills at a young age.

The Virgin Islands is one of six Caribbean nations selected by CANOC to benefit from the LTAD programme for two years from 2016-2018 in the first instance.

Research shows that without the development of Physical Literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time. The rates of childhood obesity and inactivity are clearly on the rise and if we hope to combat this epidemic, we must take action NOW. Therefore the LTAD workshop could not have come at a better time.

The aims of the Workshop are to revolutionize our thinking towards coaching and promote an active lifestyle which will improve the health, well-being and sustainability of life in the Virgin Islands.

The Workshop conducted by Mr Richard Way MBA, Ch.P.C, CEO Sport for Life Society, Canada, will be held from 29th February to 1st March, 2016 at the Fort Burt Conference Room from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Long-Term Athlete Development, Physical Literacy, Richard Way