The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has announced that BVIAA track athlete, Taraji George will represent the Virgin Islands in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. George will be the territory’s sole athlete at the Games, which take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
George, who is 16 years of age, will be accompanied by Chef de Mission Ericca Frederick and Team Official Tameeka George. The team will depart the BVI on November 5 and return on November 15. BVIOC President Ephraim Penn is scheduled to arrive in Dakar on October 30, ahead of the Opening Ceremony on October 31. George is set to compete at 10:05am BVI time (2:05pm local time) on November 8.
Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event held in Africa and will feature 2,655 young athletes, aged 14 to 17, representing 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs). It will mark the territory’s fourth appearance at the Summer Youth Olympic Games, continuing its participation since Singapore 2010, followed by Nanjing 2014 and Buenos Aires 2018.
Speaking about the opportunity, George said:
“The Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar means a lot to me. As the only athlete representing the British Virgin Islands, I have the opportunity to showcase my talent and compete alongside some of the best young athletes in the world. For me, it’s not just about competing but also about building friendships, learning about different cultures and giving my best on the track. Most importantly, I want to make myself, my mom and my coaches proud.
“I’m truly proud and grateful to be a part of this historic moment and to represent my territory on such a big stage. The experience would push me to work even harder towards my goal and achieving greater things in sports.”
Penn highlighted the importance of the BVIOC’s continued participation in the Games.
“We are proud to have been part of these Summer Youth Olympic Games since its inception in Singapore in 2010,” said Penn. “Our continued participation reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for young BVI athletes to develop through international competition. Dakar offers Taraji the opportunity to test herself on the track at a global meet, learn from athletes from around the world and experience the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. We congratulate her on her selection and wish her and the team a rewarding and successful Games.”
The BVIOC will also benefit from the ANOC–PEAK Uniform Programme, a partnership between the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and sportswear manufacturer PEAK. The programme provides uniforms for athletes and team officials from participating NOCs, with designs incorporating elements of each delegation’s national identity. The BVIOC uniform features the design created by national artist, Ms. Desiree Smith who took inspiration from the official national colours and key symbols of the national identity, including the sun, sea, emerald hills, the traditional island sloop, and the heart. These elements were thoughtfully incorporated to reflect the heritage and spirit of the Virgin Islands.
The BVIOC encourages the community and diaspora to join in supporting George as she prepares to compete in Dakar and represent the territory at this historic edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
