For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) will have two sets of twins representing the territory following the announcement of a 19-member team that will be traveling to Birmingham.
They are Trevia Gumbs (shot put), Tynelle Gumbs (hammer throw), Diamante Gumbs (discus) and Djimon Gumbs (discus, shot put), who are all part of the track and field team.
There are 7 other persons representing the territory in track and field, which include: Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles), Eldred Henry (shot put), Rikkoi Brathwaite (100m), Beyonce Defreitas (200m), Deya Ericson (100m hurdles), Adriano Gumbs (400m) and Arianna Hayde (heptathlon).
The track and field team will be accompanied by coaches Lennox Graham, Joey Scott, Ralston Henry, and Eric Matthias.
The BVI will also have representation in Basketball 3×3 for the first time in Commonwealth Games history.
That team will include Shauliqua Fahie, Mahkayla Pickering, Keithrece Smith, and Joy Victor.
Squash will also be represented by the territory with Joe Chapman (singles, men’s doubles) and Luca Reich (singles, men’s doubles). Adam Murrills will be coaching for squash.
The final discipline which will have representation from the BVI is cycling, and it is the second team to be selected from the BVI in the history of Commonwealth Games, with the first dating back to 2006.
The cycling team includes Darel Christopher Jr (time trial – 37km/23m, road race – 160km/100m) and Sam Talbot (time trial – 37km/23m road race -160km/100m). Paul Cullimore will be coaching this team.
President of the BVI Commonwealth Games Association Mr. Ephraim Penn reflected on the growth of sports in the territory over the past 12 years.
He said to carry a team of 19 is a huge accomplishment for sports in the BVI, considering that in 2010 the BVI only had a team of two representing at the Commonwealth Games.
Penn also spoke about the new inclusion of women’s 3×3 basketball into the Games and highlighted the return of cycling after a 16-year absence.
Meanwhile, Minister for Sports Honourable Sharie De Castro congratulated the athletes and encouraged them to remain focused on their athletic goals.
Birmingham 2022 will be the 22nd edition of the Games and the third time to be staged in England following London 1934, and Manchester 2002. It will be the largest multi-sport competition to be held in England in 10 years with a global broadcast audience of 1 billion.
72 nations and territories will be represented at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with around 6,500 athletes and team officials.
The Games are set to commence from July 28 to August 8, 2022.