The smiles say it all as the SOBVI Sailing Team arrives home to a hero's welcome. Photo: VINO

Families, friends and members of the VI Government had all assembled eagerly awaiting the BVI Airways Charter flight from Antigua that was not only bringing home the team, but also a collection of Medals including the first ever Gold and Silver won at any Olympics by a local athlete. The Honourable Dancia Penn QC was there, standing in for the Premier, the Hon. Elvis Harrigan, standing in for the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Andrew Fahie and the Honourable Irene Penn, who confessed she didn’t want to miss the occasion for anything.

Giving the boys, Delroy Gordon, Lenford Pope, Glenford Gordon, Akeem David and Jaye Noel (the other team member, Elsa Myers, still being in the U.K for study and work) a few moments with their family, Minister Penn then started a brief ceremony with words of heartfelt congratulations.

Medals for some, but all did the BVI proud at the Summer Games in Athens. Photo: VINO

“This is really a very, very, special moment, the moment at which we welcome back this wonderful team that did us so proud at the Special Olympics, in Athens. Many congratulations. It’s wonderful to see the Gold! You are true ambassadors of our country. You went on the international stage, competed on that stage and did us proud. There are many, many, lessons to come from this and you have taught all of us many things each one of you did your best and did very well. Together the five (six) of you did exceptionally well and showed what a team is.”

The Honourable Elvis “Juggie” Harrigan echoed those words and made sure to add his thanks to the trainers as well, stating that “without the trainers you would not be so successful. The BVI is a small country, but we are big at heart and continue to surpass expectations on the international arena. Congratulations on behalf of the Minister of Education and we are all proud of you. I understand you were some of the youngest but you performed admirably, all of the other countries definitely know where the BVI is now.”

Special Olympics Patron, Mrs. Jenny McCleary, thanked the team for their efforts and said she hoped they would savour the moment. “Hope you get over your jet lag and party on!”

Head Coach Allison Knights Bramble was equally exuberant and took time to make it clear that all the sailors had exceeded expectation.

“First of all it’s written all over these guys’ heads, Digicel, but I would also like to thank Maples and BVI Airways for their support and sponsorship. Silver Medal winners, Elsa and Glen were just one point from off the Gold. I have to give a huge thanks to Elsa, who was much more than a sailor but also a great help throughout the trip. Jay and Akeem are sporting 5^th place ribbons but technically were in the much harder section, so don’t think they are any less of sailors for not winning medals. We scared Australia, they were frightened, Greece was the biggest team as the hosts and we scared them too, the BVI is more than on the map, they are now leading Special Olympics sailing.”

The team, minus Elsa Myers, is greeted by Mr. Alan Bates, CEO of Platinum Sponsors, Digicel BVI. Photo: VINO

For platinum sponsors Digicel, Alan Bates also gave a vote of thanks. “There’s no doubt in mind you guys would go there and do well. You may not have learnt to smash plates but in my eyes you’ve broken records. You have really done us proud, we salute you and long may you enjoy your celebrations,” he said.

The Honourable Irene Penn pledged to host a small reception for the team at a date to be confirmed.

In true sailing fashion, the evening drew to a close with a chorus of Hip, Hip, Hooray!