Four world-class track and field athletes are representing the Virgin Islands (VI) at the inaugural 2026 Pan American Athletics Championships in Colombia. Photo: BVIAA

The inaugural Pan American Athletics Championship will feature combined events, track and field, and race walking.

According to the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), the team features a roster of top-flight Virgin Islands’ competitors, including National Record holders and podium finishers at major Games and Championships: Olympian Rikkoi A.R. Brathwaite (100M); Deya Y. Erickson (100M Hurdles); Beyoncé A. DeFreitas (100M & 200M); and Djimon L. Gumbs (ShotPut). The team arrived in Colombia on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, ahead of the inaugural meet. 

The meet, which runs from today, Friday, June 26, 2026, through Sunday, June 28, 2026, will feature combined events, track and field, and race walking. The historic championships welcome 407 senior athletes from 27 registered nations competing for titles and podium finishes on a world-class stage.

Crucially, all gold medalists in individual events at this championship automatically qualify for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

The venue for the championships is the Alfonso Galvis Duque Stadium in Medellin.

Smaller roster but confident in their abilities- BVIAA President

In a statement, BVIAA President Steve Augustine said while the team is small, it is well-positioned to make a strong showing at this first-ever staging of the Pan American Athletics Championships. 

He explained that tight summer schedules of several VI athletes contributed to this smaller roster, but emphasised that the selected athletes embody the strength, discipline, and competitive spirit of the Virgin Islands.

“Even with a small team, I am confident in the athletic abilities of our athletes, and I look forward to podium finishes for Team BVI.”