BVI Celebrates Sprint Queen Adaejah Hodge [PHOTOS INCLUDED]

Residents showered Commonwealth champion Adaejah Hodge with love on Tuesday, August 11, during a motorcade followed by a recognition ceremony.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley described Hodge as a “beast” on the track who continues to display humility after her victories.

Noting that Hodge attended the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, he said her journey demonstrated the greatness that could emerge from the Territory’s schools.

Dr Wheatley also thanked the BVI Athletics Association and BVI Olympic Committee for supporting local athletes.

“There is something we have to stop, politicising support to our athletes. They are our national treasures,” he stated.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Sharie B. de Castro praised the young star for inspiring others.

“You are younger than me, but I look up to you because of the ceilings that you are breaking and the records that you are setting,” she said.

In response, Hodge thanked her mother, uncle and wider support team, recalling that her uncle bought her first pair of Nike spikes and that she attended her first practice with Ms Fredericks 14 years ago.

“To the youths, I encourage you not to give up on yourselves. Lean on your support group,” Hodge said. “Thank you guys so much for being out here. It means so much to me.”

Sixth District Representative and Opposition Member Hon. Myron Walwyn also presented Hodge with the key to District Six on behalf of its residents.

The motorcade travelled from behind the Central Administration Complex to the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park as part of Hodge’s send-off before returning to school.

Hodge captured the women’s 200 metres title in 22.07 seconds at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Virgin Islands woman to win a Commonwealth Games athletics gold medal.