Olympic debutants Thad A. Lettsome (ILCA 7 (laser)) and Adaejah T. Hodge (200m) will be the flagbearers for the [British] Virgin Islands team when the Opening Ceremony for the Paris Olympics takes place along the Seine River in Paris, France from 7:30 PM local time (1:30 PM VI time)on Friday, July 26, 2024. Photo: BVIOC

An illustration of what the ambitious Paris Olympics opening ceremony river parade will look like. Image: AFP/Florian Hulleu

The four athletes in the 3.7-mile parade from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Pont d’Iéna will include Kyron A. McMaster OLY (400m hurdles) and Rikkoi A.R. Brathwaite (100m), who will also be making his Olympic debut at the Games. Chef de Mission Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott OLY will also join the team in the parade.

“The Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games is always such an exciting time as it symbolises the start of the biggest event of an athlete’s career in a quadrennial,” said Harrigan-Scott in a press release by the BVI Olympic Committee.

“I am so proud to be walking with our team who have worked so hard to make it to the Olympics. We are also looking forward to stepping out in style in the Opening Ceremony wear which was specially created for us by Kristin Fraser of Trefle Design!” Harrigan-Scott added.

This will be the first time an Olympic Ceremony will be held outside of a stadium. The VI team will be on one of 100 boats along with other small NOC teams and will pass under historic bridges and by iconic landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame and the Louvre and some Games venues. They will arrive opposite the Trocadero – the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower – where the official protocols will be carried out, the Olympic cauldron lit, and the Paris 2024 Games officially declared open.

Lettsome, who arrived in France on July 17, will be travelling to Paris from Marseille where the sailing events will take place. McMaster, Brathwaite and Hodge arrived in Paris on July 24 where they were welcomed by the Chef de Mission at the Athletes’ Village.

When will VI athletes compete?

The schedule for the ILCA 7 races runs from August 1 – 6 in Marseille in the south of France. Track and field events for the VI athletes take place at the Stade de France in Paris and start on August 3 when Brathwaite will compete in the 100m rounds starting at 5:45 AM AST. Hodge will take to the blocks in the 200m rounds on August 4, starting at 4:55 AM AST.

McMaster competes in the 400m hurdles heats on August 5, starting at 4:05 AM AST.

“The BVIOC is exceptionally proud of our four athletes that will be representing the territory at the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ahead of their events,” said BVIOC President Ephraim E. Penn.

“The field of competition is tough, and we wish Kyron, Thad, Rikkoi and Adaejah the very best as they take to the biggest international stage in sport over the next couple of weeks. Their focus over the past quadrennial has been on securing their spots at the Games and to perform to the best of their abilities at the Olympics. We are excited to be cheering them on in each of their events.”

The VI delegation includes BVIOC President Ephraim E. Penn, Secretary General Lloyd K. Black, sailing coach Chris Watters, sailing assistant Tamsin Rand, National athletics coach Willis Todman, track coaches Gerald Phiri and Jean-Carlos. Sofia Fay attends as Press Attache.

The Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) will attend the Games from August 1 – 10, the BVIOC disclosed.

Approximately 10,500 participants from over 200 Olympic delegations will compete in 32 Olympic sports. The Games can be followed live on SportsMax Channels.