With certifcates of attendance and a vast array of Olympic History on show, the BVIOC Olympic Day was a fun filled action packed event. Photo: Cleave Farrington, BVIOC

The BVIOC set up a gallery of the BVI’s past Olympians and distributed information and pop quizzes on the Olympic Movement values of respect, excellence, and friendship. Photo: Cleave Farrington, BVIOC

70 participants then set off on the symbolic Olympic Day run, a two-mile run or walk with a one-mile option organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and hosted at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College. Photo: Cleave Farrington, BVIOC

However, the day was marred by a lack of support from the Olympic Member Federations with only five out of 15 member Federations turning up, the BVI Athletics Association, BVI Rugby Federation, BVI Football Association, BVI Triathlon Federation, and BVI Cycling Federation all took the opportunity to showcase their sport, but the BVI Amateur Volleyball Association, the BVI Softball Association, BVI Basketball Federation, Table Tennis, Tae Kwondo, Swimming, Skiing, Sailing, Tennis and Squash all failed to make the effort.

Sports, education, nutrition, health and wellness were the themes highlighted in the open discussion forum which reflected on the meaning of Olympism in the community. The forum moderator was past Olympian, and talk show host, Mr Karl Scatliffe, (1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games). Panelists included BVIOC past president, Mr Rey O’Neal, who provided an overview of the history of the BVI and the Olympics, Olympian, Mr Guy Hill (1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games), sports coach, Mr Milton McLean, teacher at the HLSCC, Mrs Stephanie Russ Penn, physiotherapist, Ms Tania Medley of the VI Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, and nutrition expert, Ms Terri Benjamin, founder of Chic Gourmet.

The audience, which included young athletes from the attending national federations, listened with keen interest to the history and information that was shared during the discussion. The session generated a flood of questions to all the panelists but with a particular interest in gleaning more information from Ms .Benjamin on the nutritional values of the avocado, mango, and guava, three power-fruits that are indigenous to the VI.

To launch the day’s activities Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC, read out the Olympic Day message from Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee President. “Olympic Day is more than just a day when we commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Movement,” read out Mr Penn. “It is a day to remember that the practice of sport should be enjoyed by all — regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. More than ever, in this Olympic year, such a day represents an opportunity not only to move, but also to learn and discover together the meaning of sport and its values. Namely, that we must always try our very best. That it does not matter whether we win or lose, but how we play the game. Because sport brings to all generations a healthier and more balanced life and makes them feel better.”

Seventy participants then set off on the symbolic Olympic Day run, a two-mile run or walk with a one-mile option which was the start of a series of morning activities organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and hosted at HLSCC.

The BVIOC set up a gallery of the BVI’s past Olympians and distributed information and pop quizzes on the Olympic Movement values of respect, excellence, and friendship.

The discussion forum was followed by a performance by the Lashing Dogs and the BVI Elite Sky Dancers and the BVI Diabetes Association offered blood pressure and blood sugar screenings.