The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in collaboration with its member National Federations and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and in partnership with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, will host the 5th annual free Sports Festival celebrating Olympic Day. The event will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, across Tortola and include activities on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada. This family-friendly festival is open to the public of all ages and abilities.
This year’s celebration is particularly special as it marks the 40th anniversary of the Virgin Islands’ (UK) first appearance at the Olympic Games. In 1984, the territory was represented by speed skater Erroll “Canute” Fraser at the Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games and a team of four track and field athletes and five sailors at the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. The athletics team members included Lindel “Chef” Hodge, Guy Hill, Dean Greenaway, and Jerry Molyneaux, while the sailing team featured Robin Tattersall, Elvet Meyers, Keith Thomas, Keith Barker and the late Peter Barker. These past Olympians will be honored at the event.
Sports Festival Highlights
This year’s Sports Festival will be hosted from 9:00am – 12:00pm at the HLSCC campus grounds in Paraquita Bay, returning to the original site of the festival’s launch in 2012. A partnership with the college was agreed for co-hosting Olympic Day events, underscoring the relationship between the BVIOC and the HLSCC through the swimming pool project.
Interactive stations at the college grounds include archery, athletics, basketball, cycling, netball, softball and squash. The BVI Anit-Doping Commission and health and nutrition advisors will also be on site.
The Department of Culture will be showcasing an interactive maritime historical display with the Maritime Museum open for visits. The Heritage Dancers will continue to build on their participation with lessons in some of the VI’s traditional dance steps.
Additional activities will take place simultaneously at Brandywine Bay Beach with aquatic and marine sports including sailing and swimming stations, alongside beach sports hosted by the volleyball, rugby and football federations.
DYAS will be hosting corporate competitions with points to be accrued for the winner’s title.
Walk/runs will take place from 6:30am on Virgin Gorda starting at the VG Recreation Ground and on Anegada starting at the Claudia Creque Educational Centre. On Jost Van Dyke, the walk/run will start at 5:30am from the Albert Chinnery Admin Building, Great Harbour.
“Sports Festival is designed to showcase various sports and encourage the public to move, learn and discover as they try out different activities they can incorporate into their lifestyle for better fitness and health,” said BVIOC President Ephraim Penn. “There is a lot on offer, and it most definitely is a great opportunity for everyone in the family to get involved together. I encourage all to join us for a day of fun, fitness, and celebration of the Olympic spirit!”
Olympic Year Celebrations
2024 is an Olympic year, and the BVI will be represented at the Paris 2024 Games by two outstanding athletes: Kyron McMaster OBE OLY, a 400m hurdles 2x Commonwealth Games champion and World Athletics Championship silver medalist, and ILCA7 (laser) sailor Thad Lettsome. Chef de Mission Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will attend the Olympic Day celebrations with updates on the preparation for the Games with VI designer, Kristin Fraser unveiling the Opening Ceremony wear for the BVI team at Paris 2024.
Event attendees will have the chance to receive Olympic Day tee shirts (subject to availability) and enjoy Coca-Cola products including Dasani water and Powerade.
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, Friendship and Peace while celebrating the Olympic Day pillars: Move. Learn. Discover.
More information on Olympic Day and the event can be found here.
