The question on the minds of some residents has been why are some of the big names from the British Virgin Islands not present at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games representing the territory.
The Pan Am Games is considered to be the biggest multisport competition in the region for athletes, with this year’s Games featuring nearly 8000 athletes from across the Americas and the Caribbean.
The BVI presently has four athletes at the Games, namely Deya Erickson in the women’s 100-metre hurdles, Eldred Henry in shot put, Djimon Gumbs in the discus throw and Thad Lettsome in sailing.
Speaking on the subject in a recent interview with 284 Media was President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Mr. Ephraim Penn, who explained why athletes such as Kyron McMaster, Adaejah Hodge and Rikkoi Brathwaite are absent from this year’s Games.
He said the timing of the Games poses a challenge for elite athletes, not only in the BVI, but across the Americas as seen in some of the other teams who are also missing their star athletes.
This he explained is due to the usual ending of the athletic season which normally comes to a close between August and September for North America and Caribbean athletes.
Also adding context to the subject was BVI’s Chef De Mission for the 2023 Pan American Games, Mr. Mark Chapman.
He shared a similar sentiment to Penn during a recent interview with 284 Media’s Kamal Haynes.