Chantel E. Malone waves to passersby during the motorcade in her honour today, October 11, 2019. Also in photo is Minister for Sports, Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO

The flyer for the Recognition Ceremony for Chantel E. Malone, the Virgin Islands first Pan Am Games medalist. Photo: GIS

Long Jumper Chantel Ellen Malone, centre, buried the field on her first attempt, to win the Virgin Islands (VI) first Pan Am Games medal in its 36-year history, on the opening day of track and field in Estadio Nacional, in Lima, Peru on August 6, 2019. Photo: Todd VanSickle

Hurdler Kyron M. McMaster, left, and Shot Putter Eldred Henry, right, during the motorcade for Chantel E. Malone today, October 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Retired sprinter Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott and quarter miler Ashley N. Kelly are in the motorcade being held in honour of Pan Am Games gold medalist, Chantel E. Malone. Photo: VINO

The motorcade is proceeding from Queen Elizabeth II Park to Central Administration Complex where the official ceremony will commence at 4:30pm, today, October 11, 2019.

The recognition ceremony is a collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC). Among the elected officials part of the motorcade are Sports Minister Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) and Deputy Speaker, Hon Neville A. Smith (AL).

Giving their support to Malone in the motorcade are top athletes such as Kyron A. McMaster, Eldred Henry and Ashley N. Kelly. Retired sprinter Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott is also participating.

Malone, the highest ranked Caribbean Long Jumper, leapt 6.68m (21’11”), a mark none of her 13 pursuers would surpass in the final of the Women’s Long Jump at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru on August 6, 2019.

The USA’s Keturah Orji would come closest at 6.66m for silver while Jamaica’s Tissanna Hickling earned bronze with 6.59m.

According to the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), Malone became the VI's first medal winner, in any event, at the PanAm Games since its Track and Field debut at the 1983 Games which was held in Venezuela.

Earlier this year, Malone recorded a World Leading jump of 6.90m at the 3rd Annual Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, Georgia.

The mark was also a Personal Best and new VI and OECS record.

Malone last competed at the recent IAAF World Championship Games in Doha, Qatar and has set her sights on improved performance at the Tokyo Olympics next year.