Members of the BVIOC Executive with Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal, OBE at a tribute evening hosted for him by the BVIOC on January 23, 2016 where he received the IOC Pierre de Coubertin Trophy in recognition of his outstanding efforts in promoting and encouraging the practice of sports in the British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, and for being an inspiration to all involved in sports.

Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal, OBE was the guest of honour at a tribute evening hosted for him by the BVI Olympic Committee on Saturday, January 23. The formal affair celebrated Mr. O’Neal’s lifelong work in sports with the presentation of the Pierre de Coubertin Trophy awarded to him by the BVIOC on behalf of the International Olympic Committee in recognition of his outstanding efforts in promoting and encouraging the practice of sports in the BVI and the Caribbean.

O’Neal, who started his career as a teacher at the BVI High School in 1969 with a passion for sports and a remarkable gift for statistics, was a founding member of the BVIAA in 1970 and of the BVIOC in 1980. He has delivered 45 years of notable achievements for the territory and the Caribbean and continues to exert positive influence and inspiration on athletes, coaches and organisations.

145 guests attended the event held at Maria’s by the Sea including the Premier, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Mrs. Lorna Smith, and Mr. O’Neal’s family.

Four notable regional leaders in international sporting organisations were also in attendance. Dr. Amadeo

(L-R) BVIOC founding member, khalil ‘Johnny’ Hassan, Sir Austin Sealy, IOC member, Mr. Victor Lopez,VP PUR NOC, Member IAAF Council, Mr. Keith Joseph, VP NACACA, General Secretary SVG NOC, Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal, OBE, Premier Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, Dr. Amadeo Francis, VP IAAF pictured at the tribute evening for Rey hosted by the BVI Olympic Committee.
Photo: CM Farrington / BVIOC

Francis, Vice President, IAAF was the guest speaker and was joined by Sir Austin Sealy, International Olympic Committee member and founder of the Carifta Games, Mr. Victor Lopez, Vice President Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, President of NACACAA, and Mr. Keith Joseph, founder and General Secretary, St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, Vice President of PASO and Vice President of NACACAA.

Dr. Francis took the audience through the timeline of the history of sports in the Caribbean, explaining the challenges that were prevalent in the 1960s and the introduction of international standards, increasingly competitive games and the early days of doping control. He went on to recognise Mr. O’Neal’s determination and efforts alongside those of his counterparts, Mr. Khalil ‘Johnny’ Hassan and others in steering the BVI in the right direction to becoming a competitor in major regional and international games.

“In light of all the challenges and demands that had to be met, Rey must be congratulated on achieving status for the BVI,” said Dr. Francis. “It was no easy feat but your perseverance paid off with becoming the smallest nation and youngest NOC to become a member of the IOC in 1982.”

Ephraim Penn, President of the BIVOC in his remarks said “As the BVIOC’s longest serving president from its inception in 1980 to 1984 and again from 1989 – 2006, Rey continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes. His efforts have ensured national representation in all major Games held since 1982 including the Pan American Games, the Carifta Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the Olympic Games, as well as the Commonwealth Games. His opinions, suggestions and willingness to help at every turn are invaluable to me, the BVIOC and many other organisations and individuals.”

Penn also reiterated the call from a written tribute by two-times Olympian, Keita Cline in the event booklet who called for the naming of the track at the A.O. Shirley recreation grounds as the ‘Rey O’Neal track’.

Premier, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE spoke of Mr. O’Neal’s sporting legacy in the BVI and the wider Caribbean region and shared congratulatory remarks. “Mr. O’Neal opened the doors for the BVI flag to be proudly represented whenever our athletes competed during regional and international sporting events abroad. On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, we salute Mr. Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal for his outstanding sporting legacy, and his monumental contributions to our sports tourism product,” said Premier Smith.

Mr. Colin O’Neal, younger brother to Rey, spoke of Mr. O’Neal’s lifelong passion for sports and natural talent for statistics and analysis on all things connected to sports. “This tribute evening comes as no surprise to us and as a family we are proud of what Rey has accomplished,” said Colin.

BVI’s prolific 100m sprinter, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott presents Rey O’Neal with the IOC Pierre de Coubertin Trophy. Photo: CM Farrington/BVIOC

The evening concluded with the presentation of the IOC Pierre de Coubertin trophy to Mr. O’Neal on behalf of the BVIOC by the nation’s dual Olympian and global games sprinter, Mrs Tahesia Harrigan-Scott. In her remarks shared on behalf of her fellow athletes, Tahesia said, “Mr. O’Neal, you have challenged our boundaries and made us all push harder. You allowed no complacency. Extending us all further and through stats and analysis, you’ve made all of us look deep within ourselves. You are the reason many of us were able to take our athletic career to a levels unimaginable.”

On accepting the trophy, Mr. O’Neal offered his thanks stating “I am accused by my friend, Victor Lopez of hiding awards and such but I think this is one I will not be able to lose.” He went on to share his memories, recalling his colleagues efforts over the years and the accomplishments and the progress of athletes with pride, humour and affection.

The toast was proposed by two-times Olympian and past athlete, Dion Crabbe and the vote of thanks was given by Mrs Rose Adams, past athlete, friend and protégé of Mr. O’Neal. MC for the evening was Mr. Lloyd Black, General Secretary, BVIOC and Pastor Calvin Mills offered the invocation at the start of the proceedings. Well wishers at the function included the BVI’s Olympians, athletes, coaches, colleagues, friends and members of cabinet.

Mr. O’Neal has held various positions on numerous regional and international sporting committees including the CAC Technical Committee, the CAC Statistics Committee, the North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NACAC) Confederation, and the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association Confederation (CACAC) Executive Committee. He also led the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Athletics Commission in 1991, coincidentally during the last year of the OECS Championships.

In 2003 O’Neal was awarded the IAAF Veteran’s Pin and the following year was named to the CAC Hall of Fame. In 2005 Rey O’Neal was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Mr. O’Neal’s full biography and several of his articles can be found on www.bviolympics.org.

Contributions can be made year round towards an athlete scholarship to be awarded in Rey O’Neal’s honour. Contact Cleave Farrington by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org for more information.

The tribute event was organized by the BVI Olympic Committee Executive, led by 1^st Vice President Neville Smith and assisted by Executive Director, Cleave Farrington as part of its Olympic Legacy initiative.

The evening was sponsored by the Ministry for Education, Culture and Sports, Caribbean Securities Ltd, Mr. Lloyd Black, Mr. Ephraim Penn and the Penn Family and S & D Security Alarm Systems. Event supporters included Caribbean Cellars, RTW Ltd, Oren Hodge, Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson, Hezekiah Maddox Photography, Contemporary Events, and Broadsword Communications. Volunteers included Ritseeniyah Georges, Stephanie Russ Penn, Carol Mitchel of the BVI Tennis Association, Coach Solo and members of the BVI Rugby Federation, Ms. Bianca Duggan and Ms. Keisha D’Aguiar. Photos for the evening slide show were courtesy of Dean Greenaway, Guy Hill, Johnny Hassan and Rose Adams.

Edited Jan 29, 2016