The Youth Olympics will get under way on Saturday with its opening ceremony in Nanjing, China, where the Virgin Islands will compete in sailing, swimming and athletics.
The VI team includes Sam Morrell, who will be sailing in the Men’s Byte CII (one-person dinghy) on August 18. He is expected to be the flag bearer during the opening ceremony.
Sam recently took third place in the US Single-handed Championships in Traverse City, Michigan. He is the only VI sailor who has qualified for sailing at the Olympic level.
In swimming, Amarah Phillip will compete in the 50-metre butterfly on August 19, and the 50-metre freestyle on August 21.
She recently set three personal bests at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
“The Commonwealth Games was an amazing experience. Participating in the games gave me the opportunity to compete against athletes from various countries in the Commonwealth and I found the atmosphere inspirational in Glasgow,” she said. “At the Youth Olympics I hope to attain as many personal bests as possible and continue to learn and grow as a swimmer.”
In athletics, Deya Erickson will compete in the 100-metre hurdles on August 20.
Kala Penn will compete in the long jump on August 20.
Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner is slated to contest the 800 metres on August 20.
Nelda Huggins will run the 100 metres on August 21.
Kyron McMaster will compete in the 400-metre intermediate hurdles on August 22, while Akeem Bradshaw will compete in the triple jump on the same day.
The full schedule of the Youth Olympics can be found at www.nanjing2014.org
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