The British Virgin Islands will be represented by ten athletes in two sports at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the east coast of Australia from 04-15 April, 2018.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance in the national and international arena:

Track and Field athletes include Ashley Kelly (400m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles).

Squash players include Joe Chapman (Squash Singles and Doubles), and Neville Sorrentino (Squash Singles and Doubles).

Commending the athletes on their selection, CGA President, Ephraim Penn said that, the Commonwealth Games is one of the five main international sporting events that VI athletes aspire to compete in and it’s not easy to be selected.

“We have a restriction on the number of athletes that can take part in the Games and the selected sports men and women should be justifiably proud that their hard work and commitment has paid off. We are excited to be heading off with what is perhaps one of the largest and strongest teams to represent the territory at these Games.”

Noting further that Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the BVI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said they recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes and their families.

“And not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels. The CGA highly commends and congratulates all those selected and looks forward to the positive impact a successful Games will have on the morale of all our athletes and the territory.”

He added, “Australia is a long-haul trip and many of our athletes will begin their journey in a few weeks so that they can settle in, acclimatize and get on with their training regime ahead of their events.
The GC2018 opening ceremony will kick off when the Queen’s Baton Relay – the pre-cursor to the Commonwealth Games which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials expected from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents to come together to participate in the Friendly Games, organisers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

Photo from BVI Platinum News

Talk about flying in the face of adversity!  I say “very well done” to these young people and their coaches who have had a very difficult few months, but have chosen to rise above everything that has happened and get on with their lives with grit and determination.  Good luck to them all!