The Virgin Islands' contingent at the Olympic Games in Paris consisted of Track and Field Athletes Rikkoi A. R. Brathwaite (Men's 100m), Adaejah T. Hodge (Women's 200m), Kyron A. McMaster (Men's 400m Hurdles) and sailor Thad A. Lettsome (Men’s Dinghy ILCA7). Photo: BVIOC/Facebook

BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) President Ephraim E. Penn has said he is extremely proud of the athletes who represented the Virgin Islands at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo: Facebook/BVIOC

Virgin Islands sprinters Adaejah T. Hodge and Rikkoi A.R. Brathwaite at the Olympic Village in Saint-Denis, Paris. Photo: BVIOC/Facebook

The contingent consisted of Track and Field Athletes Rikkoi A. R. Brathwaite (Men's 100m), Adaejah T. Hodge (Women's 200m), Kyron A. McMaster (Men's 400m Hurdles) and sailor Thad A. Lettsome (Men’s Dinghy ILCA7).

All of the track athletes reached the semi-finals in their respective events, with McMaster reaching the final. It is an achievement many big nations can only envy.

Speaking with the BVI Olympic Committee’s Media Liaison Sofia Fay on Saturday, August 10, 2024, Penn said the athletes’ goal was to make the VI proud adding, “I am extremely proud and honoured to have been involved with this team. They have [been] great on the field, they have held their head high and we could not have asked for better ambassadors as we journeyed in Paris”.

Thad’s Olympic dream began at age 6- Ephraim E. Penn

Of Thad A. Lettsome, who was the first to represent the Territory in Olympic sailing since 1996, Penn said his goal since the age of 6 was to make it to the Olympics. “He had that goal and we just got out of his way really and let him continue his journey and it led him to the Games.”

Penn who was present on August 2, 2024, when Lettsome placed second in Race 4 said, “We were all ecstatic, his family was proud, the Minister accompanied us and we just had a good, good time there. Thad did us proud with his efforts.”

Rikkoi’s made history his entire journey- Ephraim E. Penn

Penn described Rikkoi A. R Brathwaite as a history maker. “Every time Rikkoi gets on the track you almost certain it’s going to be a new BVI record and that speaks volumes to his dedication, his coaching and his discipline.”

Penn said Brathwaite took his dedication and discipline into the Olympic Games and his successes there can only serve as more encouragement for him. 

“He now knows that he can compete with the best and that will only speak volumes to his confidence as he moves forward on his journey.”  

Adaejah performed like she belonged- Ephraim E. Penn

“Adaejah Hodge is special. You don’t get an Adaejah Hodge walking through your door or walking through your Olympic Committee every day, and when you have a treasure like that you cherish her, you embrace her,” Penn said. 

Though only 18 years old, Hodge, he said, is mature beyond her years in her sporting discipline. 

“You can see it in the way she prepares, in the way she carries herself in the field and off the field…she conducts herself as somebody who belongs and knows she belongs because she has no fear in her of any athlete,” Penn explained. 

Forever grateful to Kyron- Ephraim E. Penn

“Kyron is someone who we really appreciate and admire for his dedication and his tenacity. He has no fear, he competes with anyone and he always leaves everything on the track,” Penn said. 

His 2017 Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games Penn said lifted “the spirit of so many Virgin Islanders” following the passage of Hurricane Irma putting the VI “back in the limelight”. 

McMaster continued on his successful trajectory which led him to the finals of the Men’s 400m Hurdles at the Olympic Games. 

“He was able to bring the whole country to a stop…businesses closed so that they can see Kyron compete and that speaks volumes to him, not only to him but to the power of sports,” Penn said. 

Seeming to be at a loss for words to describe McMaster’s achievements, Penn said he is “extremely grateful” to McMaster and to his family for “loaning him to us” calling him a “true ambassador” for the country.  

Win, lose or draw we are BVI strong- Ephraim E. Penn

Penn encouraged the athletes to remain dedicated to their craft. 

While the journey to Paris 2024 was not always smooth, with funding being one of the Olympic Committee’s major challenges, Penn said it all came together in the end with support from the private sector as well as the government. 

He also thanked the public for supporting and encouraging the athletes. 

“Win, lose or draw, we are BVI, and we are BVI strong!” Penn said.