An official celebration is in the works to pay tribute to gold medalist, and history maker Kyron McMaster and other Virgin Islands athletes.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said it is fitting to honour Mr. McMaster and other BVI athletes on June 14, by putting together an event where members of the community can join in the celebration.

Honourable Walwyn said, “I am happy to see the positive results of the efforts shown by our local athletes during the Commonwealth Games, and other athletic events.  These athletes are ambassadors of our country, and it is for this reason that I believe it is fitting for this community to celebrate our athletes/ambassadors in a most worthy manner”.   

Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome Tye, is calling on the entire Virgin Islands community to support the upcoming event when Mr. McMaster and the other athletes return to the Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Lettsome Tye said, “We are making preparations to welcome our athletes and we want the cooperation of everyone to make them feel special as they are deserving of this tribute.  We are working on a few events such as a motorcade, a parade and prize giving ceremony.  As the preparations develop, we will keep the community abreast, as once again we are counting on their support to make this event a memorable one, not only for our athletes but for the history of the Virgin Islands”.

It was early morning on Thursday, April 12 when the people of the Virgin Islands rejoiced as they saw Kyron McMaster win the 400m hurdles in Australia's Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games.

The games have been organised every four years by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) (except for 1942 and 1946).  They have since grown from an event featuring 11 countries and 400 athletes to a modern sporting spectacular that includes 71 nations and territories and over 6,600 athletes and team officials.

The games were held in Australia, and ran from April 4 to the 15.