Athletes and the executive members from the BVI CARIFTA team who returned to the territory on Tuesday evening, were well greeted by residents and Honourable Members of the House of Assembly in the first of two celebratory ceremonies.
The event took place at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza in Road Town where the contingent was met by loud cheers, music and congratulations.
The celebrations stem from the BVI team displaying its best ever performance in the history of the CARIFTA Games, at the recently concluded 49th edition which was held in Kingston Jamaica.
They ended the games ranking 3rd in region, after tying for the second most gold medals of the competition with 4 and finishing with a total of 7 medals.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the BVI Athletics Association Steve Augustine described the feeling associated with the overall performance of the CARIFTA team as the greatest he has ever felt.
Augustine said the performances by the athletes were so outstanding that presidents of associations from other countries personally congratulated him and the team following the conclusion of the Games.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Sports Dr. The Honourable Natalio Wheatley said that the CARIFTA stars are more than just athletes.
He said they are all ambassadors of the territory, adding that the world is now well aware that something special is taking place amongst the young BVI athletes.
In the meantime, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew Fahie said he believes the viewership for the CARIFTA Games by locals here in the territory, was much higher than that of the most recent Olympic Games.
The premier also thanked Mr. Ray O’Neal for his role in birthing athletics here in the BVI.
Meanwhile, Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Sharie De Castro announced that all the athletes will be back in the territory to have a major celebratory motorcade on May 19.
She said the date which is approximately one month away, is to accommodate the overseas athletes who are completing their respective obligations in school.