The Virgin Islands Olympic Games delegation received two days of international recognition before attending Friday’s opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

On Monday,  the VI Delegation — the smallest of the 204 countries participating in the quadrennial sporting spectacle — was featured on BBC television coverage, as they are the only  delegation staying with UK?families. The athletes, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and J’Maal Alexander, have been preparing during a pre-games camp in Aston, located in Hertsfordshire County.

Ms. Harrigan-Scott made the Olympic Games 100-metre ‘A’ qualifying standard, the territory is allowed one unqualified male to enter the competition and Mr. Alexander, who qualified for the IAAF World Jr. Championships held in Barcelona, July 10-15, was given the nod to attend the games. An athlete in field events has to make the qualifying standard to attend the Olympic Games.  

On Tuesday, the VI was the first delegation to have its flag raised in the Olympic Games village, with host families from Aston, officials from Hertsfordshire County, Enis Adams Primary School Cultural Dancers and London 2012 Olympic Games Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe attending the team welcoming ceremony to greet Mr. Alexander and Ms. Harrigan-Scott.

Following the team welcoming ceremony, the BVI London Office hosted a reception with Friends of the BVI, Hertsforshire County officials and several others who were instrumental in supporting the delegation, were on hand and thanked for their support of the territory’s seventh Olympic Games team.

As part of the activities, the Enis Adams Primary School Cultural Dancers also performed. They will also perform during today’s Aston City welcome, which will also include athletes from St. Kitts and Afghanistan, who are residing in the Hertsfordshire County.

The VI delegation wrapped up its  pre-games training camp in Aston yesterday, and will now be staying at the Olympic Games Village, before participating in the opening ceremonies on July 27.

Athletics competition begins on August 3.