Lakeisha "Mimi" Warner
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Lakeisha "Mimi" Warner
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron Walwyn has made good on a promise made during a ceremony in April to the 2012 Carifta Team, by announcing that Lakeisha 'Mimi' Warner and J'maal Alexander will be traveling to London for the Olympic Games.
In a Facebook post, the Minister disclosed that the two athletes are attending under the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellow Award.
Unlike Warner, who will experience the games as a spectator, Alexander has been given the golden opportunity to participate in the Games.
ITV News Reporter, Rags Martel reported that Alexander and Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will compete in the 100 meters and have been training in a small village in Hertfordshire.
A local official confirmed that Alexander did not meet qualifying standards, but was selected to represent the BVI since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows each participating country to enter at least one athlete who falls below the Games' qualifying standards.
According to another senior official, the Minister's gesture ensured that Alexander's participation at the Games is financed.
According to Minister Walwyn, Warner and Alexander will join Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith to the 2012 Olympics.
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Jmaal Alexander
Photo Credit: Comet24
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Jmaal Alexander
Photo Credit: Comet24
"This will give these two youngsters a bird's eye view of the games. I hope it inspires them to work hard on and off the track so that one day they can also realise their dreams by becoming Olympians and representing our beautiful Virgin Islands. Congratulations Mimi and J'maal," the Minister stated.
On April 11, Minister Walwyn announced the creation of the Emerging Fellow Award which is based on performance in the community and is granted to junior athletes, artists and scholars, being given opportunities to travel and participate in training and other learning experiences to develop their craft.
He added that the programme will also provide the community with a structured programme for parents and youngsters seeking public funding to support athletic aspirations, as well as attending music, arts and scholastic programmes.
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