Virgin Islands athletes in four sports will be leaving on Tuesday, Aug. 10, from St. Thomas on a long (over 24 hours) journey to Singapore, located on the other side of the world, to compete in the 1st Youth Olympic Games (YOG). All expenses will be covered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 1st YOG is for athletes 14-18 years of age from 205 countries. Each international sport federation sets a two-year limit for their sport. The games will cover a two-week period with many cultural events and participation in other sporting events.
Ian Barrows and Catherine Diaz will compete in sailing. Brigitte Rasmussen, who also competed at the Central American Caribbean Games (CAC), will compete in swimming. David Walter will compete in track and field. A 3 x 3 men’s basketball team was selected to be one of the countries representing the Central American and Caribbean region. Only 21 countries will compete in this first time 3 x 3 competition. Jareem Dowling, assistant coach for the men’s team at the CAC Games, will coach the 3 x 3 team consisting of Amadius Der-Weer, Kadeem Jones, Javier Martinez and Rasheed Swanston.
Lyn Reid, vice president of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, will travel as the chef de mission with assistance from Ansen Sligar, rresident of the V.I. Wrestling Federation, and Stacey Schaetz, assistant coach for the St. Croix Dolphin Swim Team.
Each country was provided one “universality position” in four different sports, but Ian Barrows actually qualified for his position in sailing and will be competing for a medal.
The public is welcomed to come to the St. Thomas airport at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, for a picture of the Virgin Islands delegation in uniform before their departure at 8 a.m.
For further information, contact Hans Lawaetz of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee at 778-2229 or virginislandsolympic@attglobal.net
