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EXCLUSIVE: Ashley N. Kelly talks to VINO on reaching Rio

- disappointment with lack of Gov’t support for VI’s world class athletes
Sprinter Ashley N. Kelly became the second Virgin Islands’ athlete to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics and local fans will be able to see her run at the July 1-3, 2016 OECS Track and Field Championships on the A.O. Shirley Grounds in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: illinois.edu
Virgin Islands News Online, who had featured Kelly as one of its Young Professionals in January 2015, spoke to the quarter miler about qualifying for the Olympics in Rio this August and her continued preparations for the biggest stage in athletics. Photo: onsideimages.photoshelter.com
Virgin Islands News Online, who had featured Kelly as one of its Young Professionals in January 2015, spoke to the quarter miler about qualifying for the Olympics in Rio this August and her continued preparations for the biggest stage in athletics. Photo: onsideimages.photoshelter.com
Ashley N. Kelly, who has been enjoying a phenomenal year in athletics, has put herself on the line for her fellow VI athletes competing at top levels, stating that she was disappointed with the lack of support from Government. 'I wish the BVI government were more supportive of the athletes as we are Ambassadors for the country. My teammates and I perform on stages that grant us the opportunity to be exposed to millions, and we are able to reach audiences that many tourism or marketing initiatives cannot, and I believe we should be treated as such.' Photo: Facebook
Ashley N. Kelly, who has been enjoying a phenomenal year in athletics, has put herself on the line for her fellow VI athletes competing at top levels, stating that she was disappointed with the lack of support from Government. 'I wish the BVI government were more supportive of the athletes as we are Ambassadors for the country. My teammates and I perform on stages that grant us the opportunity to be exposed to millions, and we are able to reach audiences that many tourism or marketing initiatives cannot, and I believe we should be treated as such.' Photo: Facebook
Ashley N. Kelly has been able to successfully balance athletics and academics and graduated in 2012 with a BA in Sports Marketing from the University of Illinois. Photo: File
Ashley N. Kelly has been able to successfully balance athletics and academics and graduated in 2012 with a BA in Sports Marketing from the University of Illinois. Photo: File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Sprinter Ashley N. Kelly became the second Virgin Islands’ athlete to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics and local fans will be able to see her run at the July 1-3, 2016 OECS Track and Field Championships on the A.O. Shirley Grounds in Road Town, Tortola.

Kelly and Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott are the two VI athletes who have so far qualified, with Chantel E. Malone looking like joining them. However, before the excitement of Rio, the trio- as well as Karene King- is putting in some hard yards as a relay team, competing at the Penn Relays and also looking ahead to the OECS Championships.

Virgin Islands News Online, who had featured Kelly as one of its Young Professionals in January 2015, spoke to the quarter miler about qualifying for the Olympics in Rio this August and her continued preparations for the biggest stage in athletics.

The inspiration

Kelly, who readily confesses to admiring Allyson Felix the most of all her contemporaries, has been running as fast as ever before and puts the inspiration down to reaching Rio 2016 and building a confidant and trusting relationship with her new coach.

“The Olympic Games are inspiring me. I started this season with the goal of qualifying for the Olympics. This is my second year with the coach I currently have, so we are no longer learning each other, we are building and the results are positive so far,” Kelly told Virgin Islands News Online during the exclusive interview.

“The people I am closest to in track, like my past coaches, always believe that I can achieve the things I am doing now so it not a surprise for many. I am just focused on progressing and being the best athlete I can be.”

As of January this year Kelly has been a full time athlete and, although still has a full daily schedule, is thankful for the support from the likes of the BVI Olympic Committee and the BVI Athletic Association.

“Prior (to January), I was still in grad school so from Sept - December my days consisted of me up at 5am for weight training at 7:30, Track practice at 9:30, then I had an internship from 1 - 5 and classes at 6:20 to 8:50. That was my normal for the fall. Now, I have the same up at 5 for weights, track practice, then physical therapy or recovery, such as massage and acupuncture twice a week."

Kelly disappointment with treatment from VI Gov’t

The speedster, who has been enjoying a phenomenal year, also put herself on the line for her fellow VI athletes competing at top levels, stating that she was disappointed with the lack of support from Government.

“The BVIOC is extremely supportive in my preparations for Rio. I am grateful for their support, in addition to the BVIAA because both know the effort and financial commitment it takes to dedicate yourself to training. I wish the BVI government were more supportive of the athletes as we are Ambassadors for the country. My teammates and I perform on stages that grant us the opportunity to be exposed to millions, and we are able to reach audiences that many tourism or marketing initiatives cannot, and I believe we should be treated as such.”

‘Loading phase’

As she qualified for Rio with her first outdoor track meet, Kelly has the luxury of planning her build up to Rio without the need to race every week. Currently though she is competing with the 4 x 100m Relay team (Kelly, Harrigan-Scott, Malone and King) at the Penn Relays and is going through a “loading phase” with her coach.

Her goals for the Olympics are to prepare as best as she can to do well and progress through as many rounds as possible
Next up will be a 200m Race at the Cayman Islands Invitational where she hopes for a great result and local fans will be able to see her “live” at the OECS Championships being hosted by the BVIAA on the A.O. Shirley recreation Grounds from July 1-3, 2016.

Never stop believing

Kelly, who just completed her Masters at NYU, already has balanced education with success in her sport and follows the mantra “hard work is the key to success, and never stop believing in yourself."

“Those are the words I tell myself each time I feel defeated and I believe every athlete should know that. I would tell young athletes to have fun and enjoying working hard. If they find a passion for this sport at a young age, keep it joyful because it can open a number of doors for you.”

6 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: Ashley N. Kelly talks to VINO on reaching Rio”

  • guy hill (29/04/2016, 16:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always continue to do your very best. Be safe.
  • lily (29/04/2016, 17:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the best young lady we are rooting for you
  • Eagle Eye (29/04/2016, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    just bring back the goal from chatting
    • reddz (01/05/2016, 08:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @eagle eye
      her F*****g mouth is hers, like what the rass does really do some of y'all illiterate a$$holes..Aint been nowhere and aint gonna get no where further than by the freey docks looking on..Shit man
  • hello (29/04/2016, 23:11) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hey, I can't even remember what happened the last time BVI was at the Olympics
  • DISCLIPLINE (30/04/2016, 07:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A lot of people don't see the hard work and sacrifice that athletes have to go through to get where they are, all the hard hours practicing, weight training, committing yourself to eating healthy, taking care of your body in terms of getting the necessary treatments, acupuncture, massages etc all of this to make sure that you are in great physical shape so you can avoid injuries and compete at a very high level. Kudos to you young lady, go out and do your best no matter the outcome leave your best on the field, and God's speed to you and the rest of the BVI athletes. V.I up


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