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by pltm
(PLTM) - Sporting legend in the British Virgin Islands, Mr. Reynold ‘Rey’ O’Neal, OBE, was awarded with the IAAF Plaque of Merit, for his contribution to world track and field for over forty years.
O’Neal received the plaque earlier this week, at the opening ceremony of the 51st IAAF Congress, from Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Notably, O’Neal has made enormous contributions to the success and the development of the sport of track and field.
He was one of the founding members of the BVI Amateur Athletic Association (BVIAAA) in 1970, and became President later that year, up until 1973.
In 1978, he assumed the office once more and retained the position until 2004, when he stepped down in favor of his protégé, Ephraim Penn,
In 1975, Rey O’Neal, along with Johnny Hassan, led the first British Virgin Islands team to compete in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Athletics Championships, held that year in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The BVIAAA then gained international recognition as a member of the IAAF.
Over the years, Mr. O’Neal also held several high ranking positions in track and field organizations around the region.
Steve Augustine, President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), along with Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee, and other BVIAA executive members, were privileged to share in this occasion with Mr. O’Neal.
“Given Mr. O'Neal's many years of dedicated service to the sport of athletics, locally, regionally and internationally, I wholeheartedly join with the IAAF in recognizing his contributions on this grand-world-stage, who without debate, is truly deserving of this prestigious international award,” commented President Augustine.
He added that the BVIAA and wider athletics family is blessed to have Rey as a stalwart in our midst.
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