The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has confirmed that 9 athletes from 3 sports will represent the [British] Virgin Islands at the 24th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador from June 23 – July 8, 2023. Photo: BVIOC

The VI will be one of 37 countries represented at the CAC Games in San Salvador. Photo: athleticsnacac.com

The team comprising 4 track and 3 field athletes, 1 sailor and 1 archer will arrive in El Salvador between June 22 and July 1 ahead of their events.

Athletes selected

Laser sailor Thad A. Lettsome, competing in the ILCA 7 men’s single person dinghy event, is the first of the VI’s team to compete when the sailing events start on Saturday, June 24 at Lake Ilpongo. Lettsome is also selected to be the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 23.

Archer Ritseeniyah Georges will compete in the Women’s Compound Individual starting Sunday, July 2 at 9:00am at the Polígono de Tiro con Arco Ciudad Merliot.

Track athletes include Rikkoi A.R. Brathwaite in the 100m semi-finals starting at 5:00pm and Beyonce A. Defreitas in the 100m semi-finals starting at 5:30pm on Monday, July 3; Deya Erikson in the 100m hurdles semi-finals starting at 5:45pm, Tuesday, July 4; Jaleel N. Croal in the 200m semi-finals starting at 5:00pm and Beyonce A. Defreitas in the 200m semi-finals starting at 5:30pm on Wednesday, July 5.

The all-men field athletes comprise Olympian Eldred Henry and twins Djimon and Diamante Gumbs. Henry and Djimon Gumbs will compete in the shot-put final on Monday, July 3 starting at 5:25pm. Djimon and Diamante Gumbs will compete in the discus final on Wednesday, July 5 starting at 6:55pm.

Other members of VI delegation

Chef de Mission, Gloria Fahie arrives in San Salvador on June 21 ahead of the athletes in preparation for their arrival.

BVIOC President Ephraim E. Penn is already in San Salvador to attend the Centro Caribe Sport AGM before the Opening Ceremony.

In addition to the Chef de Mission Gloria Fahie and President Penn, the VI delegation to San Salvador 2023 includes Erwin S. Telemaque aka Coach Redz (athletics coach), Winnette Lawrence (archery coach), Xavier Buxo (archery technician), Chris Watters (sailing coach) and Chester James (Physiotherapist).

The VI will be one of 37 countries represented at the CAC Games.

Meanwhile, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) will be sending 49 athletes to the Games.