Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI Athletes describe Youth Olympics as Experience of a Lifetime

Blessed with a lifetime of memories, the Territory’s Athletes are all back home after the 2nd Youth Olympic Games hosted by Nanjing, China, having taken full advantage of the Cultural Experience. Photo: Provided
With the games now finished and most Athletes now back at school Team BVI has summed up their participation at the 2nd Youth Olympics as not just another Games, but truly a cultural, educational and competitive event carefully designed to enrich the experience of the athletes beyond the playing field. Photo: Provided
With the games now finished and most Athletes now back at school Team BVI has summed up their participation at the 2nd Youth Olympics as not just another Games, but truly a cultural, educational and competitive event carefully designed to enrich the experience of the athletes beyond the playing field. Photo: Provided
Team BVI collectively summed it up as, “definitely an experience of a life time” stated Chef de Mission Stephanie Russ Penn who also noted that Nanjing, China did a tremendous job at creating and hosting these Games. Photo: Provided
Team BVI collectively summed it up as, “definitely an experience of a life time” stated Chef de Mission Stephanie Russ Penn who also noted that Nanjing, China did a tremendous job at creating and hosting these Games. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Blessed with a lifetime of memories, the Territory’s Athletes are all back home after the 2nd Youth Olympic Games hosted by Nanjing, China, having taken full advantage of the Cultural Experience.

With the games now finished and most Athletes now back at school Team BVI has summed up their participation at the 2nd Youth Olympics as not just another Games, but truly a cultural, educational and competitive event carefully designed to enrich the experience of the athletes beyond the playing field.

Team BVI collectively summed it up as, “definitely an experience of a life time” stated Chef de Mission Stephanie Russ Penn who also noted that Nanjing, China did a tremendous job at creating and hosting these Games.

In addition to competing, Team BVI took full advantage of the numerous cultural and educational activities provided throughout and outside of the Youth Olympic Village (YOV).

Activities ranged from daily interaction and Yogging amongst the numerous country booths in the World Culture Village set within the YOV; the learn and share booths (that focused on WADA outreach, career programmes, fair play, injury prevention); the “Pump it Up” performances highlighting various types of Chinese performing arts, and in particular the BVI booth created by the Xiongzhou Junior High School.

Team BVI had the opportunity to exchange gifts with members of the junior high who presented unique rain flower stones to the Virgin Islands delegation.

Additionally on Wednesday August 27, 2014, Deya Erickson and official Ralston Henry interacted with Thomas Bach, International Olympic President as participants of the IOC Youth Session, while the previous day team BVI bonded with each other as well as athletes from other countries on the Nanjing Adventure and Treasure Activity.

Despite the Games now ended, the experience will live on in Team BVI who are appreciative to have “Shared the Games and Shared the Dreams” of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.
.
In a format unique to the Youth Olympic Games each track and field (athletics) athlete had the opportunity to compete in a final regardless of placement in the preliminary round of competition. Initial performances determined each athletes’ designated final with the A final comprising of the top preliminary finishers and the medal contenders.

Nelda Huggins, 17, the only A finalist, lacked her usual race drive and had a sixth place finish overall running 11.87 seconds. She ran 11.81 to win her prior heat. While she had hoped to medal her performance nonetheless is a tremendous accomplishment. Lakeisha Warner, 16, won the C 800m final in 2 minutes 16.71 seconds. She was sixth in her 800m heat finishing in 2:18.67 seconds.

Kala Penn, 16, had a best leap of 5.22 metres in the Long Jump to advance to the B final finishing 6th and ranked 14th overall. Deya Erickson, 17, ran the 100m Hurdles in 14.76 seconds but was withdrawn from the C final as an injury prevention measure. Akeem Bradshaw, 17, placed fifth in the B Triple Jump final with a leap of 13.90m and ranked 13th overall. His opening jump of 14.33m in the preliminary round was his best jump of the Games.

Kyron McMaster, 17, in the 400M Hurdles unfortunately push down the seventh hurdle, subsequently being disqualified. To add to the disappointment in his second chance of a mark in the B final, he was charged with a false start.

Sailor and opening ceremony flag bearer Sam Morrell, 15, competing in the Byte CII Dinghy regatta however, managed to place 13th in the final race and climb 3 spots to rank 22nd overall in the fleet. He scored a total of 125 points and was able to finish in the top 15 three times (12th, 13th and 14th) during his eight total races.

Swimmer Amarah Phillip, 16, had the opportunity to compete in two events unlike her teammates. She placed sixth in her 50m Butter Fly heat in 31.05 seconds and seventh in the 50m Free Style in 29.28, but did not advance to the semis in either event. She was privileged to be the closing ceremony flag bear of the VI delegation.

After the Track competition had finished proper some 66 mixed Relay teams, including athletes from swimming, sailing and athletics, took part in an 8 x 100m event, which saw Lakeisha Warner and her team claiming the “Gold” in a time of 1 minute 40.20 seconds.

2 Responses to “VI Athletes describe Youth Olympics as Experience of a Lifetime”

  • JACK BE STILL (11/09/2014, 12:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Deeds young people just need to thank god for the opportunity
    • deeds (11/09/2014, 13:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      for those who can not understand Jack's message, "deeds" is for "these".


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.