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by pltm
(PLTM) - Work starts now for the athletes of the British Virgin Islands, said President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Ephraim Penn, who also noted that the journey to the 2020 Olympic Games has begun.
Speaking exclusively with BVI Platinum News, Penn stated that no time will be wasted as it relates to training and disciplining athletes within the Virgin Islands for the next games.
He said the committee is now tasked with identifying athletes who are capable and possess what it takes to go all the way at the Olympics. Penn explained that through the committee’s alliances, track and field experts will visit the Territory from February 2017 to offer training and identify key athletes.
“We are among six countries that are in the long term Athlete Development Program, sponsored by the Canadian Olympic Committee. It identifies athletes from all stages, very young right through to adult hood. That’s going to help us to plan properly moving forward.”
He noted that one component of the plan called the athlete development and periodization, entails the experts visiting the BVI in February 2017 to assist with training.
Penn went on to explain that this early start would put BVI athletes at an advantage in various competitions. He added that it would also increase the number of athletes who will qualify for specific events leading up to the 2020 games.
“We cannot continue by chance to try to find athletes in such a small country to compete on that level. We have to identify them early and then begin to work with them, and provide training and support. We are confident it will prepare us for the next Olympics and beyond.”
He disclosed that the committee has since made a promise to themselves and the Territory that the Olympic team for 2020 will be much bigger and will boast athletes who will participate in many different disciplines.
“We have no doubt that we are going to have more athletes and in more sports. That’s our goal, to have more athletes. We will identify more athletes and work with them. Olympics is a foundation builder for the future.”
Touching on support, Penn said, “We are hoping that the government comes on board in a big way; these athletes are ambassadors for the country and their efforts are priceless.”
He then used the opportunity to commend the Territory’s Olympic team for their efforts at this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
“For some it was their first and I think they all did incredibly well, even though they did not go on to the semi-finals or there about. It’s something to build on, we can go forward from this.”
He added, “It’s a great accomplishment just to qualify and get to the Olympics, and while some people are disappointed at their performance, to get there and compete is a great achievement for such a small country. Overall, we commend the way they approached the competition and how they performed; they didn’t get through, but they held their own.”
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