The games of the 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games are just under four months to go, however, the construction of the Village, located in Villa El Salvador, Lima, has been completed ahead of schedule with athletes from the Virgin Islands (VI) already qualified and ready. Photo: Provided

Virgin Islander Kyron A. McMaster automatically qualified to compete in Lima 2019 when he won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Central American Caribbean (CAC) Games in August 2018. Photo: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

VI’s Eldred Henry’s recent record-setting achievements during the 2019 indoor and outdoor season have also qualified him for the Games. Photo: Internet Source

This is according to a release from the BVI Olympic Committee which states that the village is ready to welcome athletes, Para athletes and technical officials who will travel to Peru in July 2019 to compete in the Games.

VI Athletes Set  

“The Fields of Play have already been established for the majority of the sports at Villa Maria del Triunfo and VIDENA sports complexes that will each host multiple sports during the Games,” the committee noted.

Virgin Islander Kyron A. McMaster automatically qualified to compete in Lima 2019 when he won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Central American Caribbean (CAC) Games in August 2018. Further, VI’s Eldred Henry’s recent record-setting achievements during the 2019 indoor and outdoor season have also qualified him for the Games.

The BVI Olympic Committee says that with qualifying meets and competitions now underway, they anticipate additional athletes from track and field, swimming and sailing to qualify over the coming months.

All Eyes on Peru

Commenting on the event, Mr. Ephraim E. Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee said, “The PanAm Games is the largest multi-sport event in the Americas and while the Virgin Islands is one of two countries yet to win a medal at these games, we are very optimistic of our chances at Lima 2019.”

President of Lima 2019 games, Carlos A. Neuhaus said  "Lima 2019 will be a sporting and, at the same time, a cultural festival that will allow Peru to be seen by the eyes of the world. In our capacity as host, we will offer athletes sports infrastructure with quality standards and a cultural program of equal quality.”

The Pan American Games is a major sporting event in the Americas featuring a variety of summer sports in which athletes from nations of the Americas compete every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games.

Mr Neuhaus further says, “The success of the Games will be the greatest experience that athletes and visitors will be able to have, and the legacy left for Peruvians.”