The International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the Youth Change-Makers (YCM) programme (previously Young Ambassadors Programme) for the 3rd Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Buenos Aires in 2018.

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) nominated Mr. Keanu George of the Valley, Virgin Gorda who was selected as one of the 80 Youth Change Makers (YCM) from across the globe. This is the first time someone from the BVI has been selected.

Mr. George will be part of the BVI’s delegation at the 3rd Youth Olympic Games and will be empowered to motivate and inspire our YOG athletes and ensure that they get the most out of their YOG journey.

Pre-Games, Mr. George will help promote the YOG and its values and inform the athletes about the Learn & Share activities. During Games time, he will actively facilitate the BVI’s athletes’ participation in these activities and encourage them to truly experience the YOG spirit of Compete, Learn and Share.

Post-Games, all Young Change Makers will be invited to remain engaged and actively involved with the IOC and National Olympic Committees (NOC) in promoting sport, the Olympic values and the YOG spirit.

Mr. George is a graduate of the Bregado Flax High School with Honors. He obtained an Associate Degree in Computer, Graphic Information Technology at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). He was an athlete of the Raw Skillz Track Club of Virgin Gorda and presently works at the Wright Choice Canteen as a Manager.

In his response after learning he had been selected as a YCM, Mr. George said, “I am very honored to be selected as the YCM at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and humbled because this will be a life changing experience. The experience I gain will be used to encourage others to do their best and go after their goals. I hope to learn as much as possible and use that to inspire others to be the best that they can be”.

Ephraim Penn, President of the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee congratulated Keanu on his accomplishment of being selected as a Youth Change Maker. He stated, “I have no doubt that he will do his best and most importantly come back to the Territory and continue to help with the youth in development of sport in the Territory.”

The Youth Olympic Games will take place October 6 – 18, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

About the Youth Change Maker
The Young Change-Makers (YCM) Programme aims to empower young people and support them to become Change-Makers in their community, using sport for a better world. The IOC aims to create an ongoing and long-term engagement with these young talents beyond the YOG in October 2018, through regular opportunities to get active and to contribute.