Peter Adam Crook took part in the BVIOC's Interactive Sports day, amazing the audience with video clips of his Half Pipe winter sports event. Photo: supplied

Much interest was shown in the anti doping presentation given by Tania Medley, who described the process for testing and the demands on the athlete to be compliant. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Verne Wheatley described some of the benefits of swimming to everyone and said he was very excited by the direction the sport was going and by participation at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Many different presentations were given during the morning, all of which fully engaged the gathered athletes. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The BVI Ski Association, the BVI Athletics Association, the BVI Swimming Association, and the BVI Squash Rackets Association presented their respective sports to a rapt audience at the event which served to highlight the Winter Olympic Games Sochi 2014, and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games at which the Territory will be well represented

Peter Adam Crook, who earlier last week was officially presented as the territory’s half-pipe skier for Sochi 2014, and Joe Chapman who will take part in Squash in Glasgow 2014, both gave demonstrations of their lesser known sports to members of the public and other sportsmen and women in the glass-fronted squash courts to a public that previously had very little exposure to either half-pipe skiing or squash.

Crook, 20, a Cedar International School alumnus who was born in the VI, talked about his path to qualifying to represent the territory at the Winter Olympic games. Confirmation for Crook's participation came with a 10th out of 41 finish at a World Cup event in New Zealand back in August.

Generating a buzz with the daring and dramatic jumps and twists that earn competition points, Adam used a reel of his training and competition clips to explain the sport. Snow virgins were introduced to the concept of a snow covered half-pipe where a series of jumps and tricks on skis are executed off curved ramps while momentum is gathered during the downward run. Fielding dozens of questions, Adam explained the relevance and importance of the equipment from helmet, gloves, boots, and skis to the rigorous demands of the sport’s training programmes during the Winter and Summer months. The latter months include trampoline tricks and ramp jumps into a swimming pool whilst fully dressed in suit, helmet, and skis.

Two times Commonwealth Games squash representative for the VI, Joe Chapman played a demonstration game with Commonwealth Games Australian gold medalist Joe Kneipp, who is the current squash coach at the Tortola Sports Club. Explaining the rudiments of the game, the players showcased the speed and energy of the sports and invited novices to have a go at playing some rallies.

Up on the field, BVIAA coach Dag Samuels had enrolled the assistance of representing athletes including Carifta medalists and national record holders to demonstrate the art and skills required in track and field sports. After indicating the purpose of starting blocks, VI sprinter Shaquoy Stephens helped those wanting a personal experience off the blocks.

Twin sisters Trevia and Tynelle Gumbs, Carifta gold and bronze medalists, instructed in how to shot put and throw the discus and javelin. 100m and 200m sprinter Karene King, who also is a member of the 4 x 100m national women’s relay team and 400m runner Dominique Maloney challenged the audience to try some of the training and warm up routines of her sport, while 100m hurdles national record holder Ariana Forbes demonstrated the secret steps to pacing and jumping hurdles.

Mr Verne Wheatley, President of the BVI Swimming Association, shared information on the four hopeful swimmers for Glasgow 2014 and encouraged athletes to take up swimming as a cross-training exercise in their sports.

Tanya Medley, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Doping Control Officer (DCO) took the audience on a verbal tour of the purpose and process of anti-doping using a demo testing kit to illustrate the methodology. She also supervised testing of both Crook and Chapman as part of the BVIOC’s commitment to the Regional Anti Doping Body as well as the World Anti Doping Association.

Guest nutritionist, Terri Benjamin talked about nourishing the body organically before and after exercise and invited athletes to learn more about keeping their diets and supplements healthy and natural, whilst other speakers included Mr Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC; Mr Paul Hewlett, Ag. Asst. Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Mr Mark Chapman, treasurer, BVIOC and Chef de Mission Sochi 2014 and Glasgow 2014.

In attendance were BVIOC General Secretary Lloyd Black and past two-time Olympians, Dr Robin Tattersall (sailing, Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992), and Willis Todman (400m, Seoul 1988, 4x100m relay, Atlanta 1996).

The Winter Olympic Games Sochi 2014 takes place in Russia from February 7 – 23. Adam will compete in the half-pipe event on Tuesday February 18.

The XX Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 takes place in Scotland from July 23 – August 3.