The President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), Ephraim Penn, has heaped praise on the four athletes who represented the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games.
Penn expressed immense pride in the athletes, who he described as exceptional ambassadors for the territory.
Among the standout achievements was Thad Lettsome’s impressive showing in the Men’s Dinghy ILCA7. Competing in his first Olympic Games, Lettsome secured a 2nd place finish in race four, marking the best race result of any Virgin Islands Olympic sailor.
Adaejah Hodge, the youngest female athlete in the Women’s 200 meters at just 18 years old, also made her mark in Paris, becoming the first female athlete from the BVI to advance to the semifinals in the 200 metres Rikkoi Brathwaite added to the list of groundbreaking performances by becoming the first Virgin Islander to reach the semifinals in the Men’s 100-meter event.
The most seasoned of the quartet, World Championship Silver Medalist Kyron McMaster, once again proved his mettle on the Olympic stage. McMaster became the first BVI athlete to reach the finals in consecutive Olympics, finishing 5th in the Men’s 400-meter hurdles.
Penn during an interview with BVIOC’s Public Relations Officer, Sophia Fay, spoke on the power of sports.
Minister for Sports, Honourable Sharie De Castro, who was present at the Olympics, also expressed her deep appreciation for the athletes’ efforts.
Minister De Castro also highlighted the athletes’ individual brilliance that was displayed during the Olympics.
She highlighted McMaster’s determination and his season’s best performance, which she described as a testament to his hard work and resilience.