The Virgin Islands will be afforded the opportunity to follow the performances of the four athletes representing the Virgin Islands (VI) at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games live on both CBN TV and Radio. Photo: Provided

The live coverage of the Rio Olympic Games can be seen on CBN Television Channel 51 and listened to on the radio by tuning into CBN Radio 90.9FM. Photo: CBN

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) confirmed that the VI’s qualified track runners, Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott (100m) and Ashley N. Kelly (200m) will be joined by young swimmer, Elinah Phillip (50m Freestyle) and field athlete, Eldred Henry (Shot Put) competing through the universality invitation.

CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI) acquired the broadcast rights for the Rio 2016 Olympics and the local scheduling of live broadcasts of events in which Caribbean national athletes will compete. Events take place from 8.00 A.M. until 2.00 P.M. and in the evenings from 7.00 P.M. until 11.00 P.M.

The broadcast on ESPN Caribbean will cover all Olympic events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies but will focus on Caribbean sports as well as interviews of Caribbean athletes prior to the events. The live coverage can be seen on CBN Television Channel 51 and listened to on the radio by tuning into CBN Radio 90.9FM.

BVIOC teams up with CBN

Furthermore, the BVI Olympic Committee has invested in a decoder to be used by Caribbean Broadcasting Network (CBN) to ensure that fans in the VI can follow the live broadcast of all the events in which the VI’s athletes will be competing.

The first rounds for these events are scheduled to take place on August 12, 2016 with Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott in the Women’s 100m Preliminary Round / Round 1. The Women’s 100m semi finals and final will take place on August 13. Also on August 12, Elinah Phillip will compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle Heats with the semi finals taking place later that day. The final for the 50m Freestyle takes place on August 13.

On August 15 Ashley N. Kelly will compete in Round 1 of the 200M. The semi finals will take place on August 16 and the final on August 17. On August 18, Eldred Henry will be throwing the Shot Put.

Mr Reynold S. 'Rey' O'Neal OBE will be in the studio during the competitions with commentary and analysis of the athletes’ performances.

“This will be the first time that we will have live broadcasting of our athletes in competition at the Olympic Games,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.

“We invested in the decoder because we really want viewers and supporters to be able to watch the action for which our athletes have trained so hard. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle and goal of every athlete and it is no mean feat to have gained a spot in this global event. There are flexible, affordable advertising opportunities during the Olympic Games broadcasts on CBN Channel 51 and any interested persons should contact the BVIOC on 494 6920 or email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org.”

VI’s team for Rio

Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, Stephanie Russ-Penn will be traveling to Rio one week in advance of the August 5, 2016 Opening Ceremony to prepare for the arrival of the athletes.

In addition to Mrs Russ-Penn, the official delegation to Rio 2016 includes Winston Potter, Athletics Coach, Omar Jones, Athletics Coach, Benoit Grattepanche, Swimming Coach, Tracy Bradshaw, Swimming Chaperone, Matthew McGrath, Physiotherapist, Dr Harlan Vanterpool, Doctor, Mark Chapman, Olympic Attache, Ephraim Penn, President, BVIOC and Lloyd Black, Secretary General.