Virgin Islands sprinter Laverne Jones-Ferrette qualified for her third Olympic games Wednesday night at the Cayman Islands Invitational.
Jones-Ferrette ran the 100 meters in 11.21, which meets the Olympic “A” standard qualifying time. In the past two Olympic Games, Jones-Ferrette has competed in both the 100 and 200 meters. She will get her chance to qualify in the 200 meters this weekend at the Ponce Grande Prix event in Puerto Rico.
“I am so happy for Laverne,” said VI Olympic Committee Vice President Lyn Reid. “She is one of our top athletes going into the games, and a definite medal hopeful.”
Jones-Ferrette’s qualification for this London games makes her the sixth athlete to make the 2012 U.S.V.I. Olympic team. She will join fellow track & field athletes Tabarie Henry, Allison Peter and Muhammad Halim, as well as swimmer Branden Whitehurst and sailor Cy Thompson.
“The 2012 Olympics are going to be very exciting for the Virgin Islands,” Reid said. “We have partnered with Choice Wireless, an V.I. Olympic team sponsor to build support and raise funds for training and travel for our Olympic athletes which is much needed as we add to our 2012 team roster.”
“Choice Wireless is helping us promote our cause by sponsoring a Win a Trip to the 2012 Olympic games promotion offered only for Virgin Islands residents. Two lucky people will be in the audience to watch our track & field athletes and be there for the medals ceremonies. It’s really a trip of a lifetime” said Reid.
Residents 18 and older can enter at any Choice Wireless location or online at www.choice-wireless.com. Choice Wireless is also selling 2012 USVI Olympic t-shirts $20 to raise funds to help VI athletes train and travel to the Summer Games in London.
