Adaejah Hodge welcomed home after World U20 Champs success

Local athletic sensation Adaejah Hodge received a warm welcome on Thursday, November 28, upon her return to the BVI after a successful performance at the World U20 Championships this summer. Photo by Cleave Farrington.

Officials, community members, and family gathered to welcome local athletic sensation Adaejah Hodge back to the Virgin Islands on Thursday, November 27, following her success at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru this summer.

Hodge arrived through the Road Town ferry terminal, where she was greeted by representatives from the BVI Tourist Board, the BVI Olympic Committee, the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), and other members of the public.

The Department of Youth and Sports Affairs announced via Facebook that the planned welcome ceremony for Hodge had been postponed, though she was still warmly received with flowers and BVI memorabilia upon her arrival. The reason for the postponement was not disclosed, but the Sports Department assured the public that a new date for the ceremony would be announced soon.

“The Ministry received information that has prompted the postponement of the welcome ceremony to acknowledge Hodge’s accomplishments at the World Athletics U20 Championships,” the Department posted on Facebook.

Hodge made history at the World Athletics U20 Championships in August, where she won both a silver medal in the 100-meter final and a gold medal in the 200-meter event. Her silver medal in the 100 meters marked a significant achievement, as she became the second athlete from the BVI to medal at the U20 World Championships. Her performance surpassed the best individual finish in BVI history, previously held by Kyron McMaster, who earned a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 2016.

Hodge’s silver medal also ties the BVI’s best overall showing at the U20 Championships, matching the women’s 1,000-meter sprint medley relay team’s silver medal in 2013.

In addition to her U20 success, Hodge was also the youngest competitor in the women’s 200m at the Paris Olympic Games earlier in August, further cementing her place as one of the territory’s rising stars in athletics.