BVI Olympic Committee defends its track record
The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has moved to defend its track record, amid allegations that it is only committed to developing track and field and has no interest in other sporting disciplines in the community.
The allegations were made by Dave Nicholls, president of the BVI Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation. The bobsleigh federation is new in the BVI, but Nicholls claims the BVIOC is not interested in developing the sport.
The BVIOC said local activity and history are one of the many criteria that determine whether a sport is accepted as a national federation. The local Olympic committee further said it recognises 14 active member federations locally, which have been established in the community with a sustainable membership body for several years.
“The association must not be operating for profit and has to be officially sanctioned by its relevant international governing body,” the BVIOC stated.
It is still not clear whether the BVIOC has engaged with Davie Nicholls and the new Bobsleigh association. BVI News asked the BVIOC to state whether it had previous discussions with Dave Nicholls and whether it is in favour of supporting Bobsleigh in the BVI. However, the organisation did not provide answers to these questions.
BVIOC mandated to encourage development of all sports
In the statement to BVI News, the BVIOC said it is mandated by the Olympic Charter to encourage the development of all sports and to provide support for athletes preparing to compete at major games. The organisation said it has been doing this and has seen progress in the last decade.
The organisation also said it distributes more than $100,000 per year — received through grants from Olympic Solidarity and PanAm Sports for all 14 active national federations to support the development of their sport.
In addition to that, the BVIOC said it covers the cost of travel and accommodation for national athletes from all member sports competing at qualifying meets.
“Support in kind is also funnelled through Olympic Solidarity and PanAm Sports to include development opportunities such as coaching, sports psychology and women in sports forums, workshops and training sessions,” the BVIOC said in a statement.
Support for all sports
The BVIOC said its efforts to develop other sports can be seen in local athletes who have participated in major games in six new sports within the last decade. The organisation said this includes residents who’ve represented the BVI in sports such as skiing, swimming, sailing, 3×3 basketball, cycling and archery at majors such as the Winter and Summer Olympics, the PanAm Games, the PanAm Junior Games, the Commonwealth Games and the CAC Games.
The BVIOC outlined that it is taking steps to support swimming and recently secured a commitment from PanAm Sports and World Aquatics for the installation of a 25-metre, competition-standard swimming pool valued at $450,000 in partnership with the H Lavity Stoutt Community College.
“The pool will serve not only to help the progress of the current cadre of young swimmers competing at local meets but also to provide a facility for teaching community members water survival skills and develop the sport of swimming through talent identification and development,” the BVIOC stated.
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These people come here with their agendas trying to force our hands and we fall for it every time. Tell that man GO F**K HIMSELF, why are we explaining anything?
not on the list of BVI sports.
Please dont build A 50m pool, build a 25m pool which is suitable for most competitions and maintain it!
https://www.panamsports.org/news-sport/panam-sports-helps-make-the-dream-of-a-world-class-pool-in-the-british-virgin-islands-come-true/
BVIOC you are doing well for a small state. Mr. Nicholls is out of place and disrespectful. How dare he! He did not come with a strategy. He came with insults and from a deep pocket country and expecting us small craft to get involved in a sport that requires big money. Mr. Nicholls know your place! You are out of order! Stop it right now! Stop it! BVI DOES NOT HAVE SNOW! What agenda are you pushing? What are you hiding?
Since this is an article about the olympics, why have a photo
With an American football helmet? Lazy.
Everyone knows the olympics are for proper
sports.
You need to know the facts before you start ranting. The man has a full plan, which is far better than some of the existing dormant Federations, like The Ski Federation, who only ever had 1 athlete that competed once. There are people here willing to go and train to learn the sport. Sooo, speak for yourself… The man has all right…..
The BVIOC turned down Bowing, Rowing (we have plenty water) and Gymnastics. Did I miss any. We may be small yes, but we should still be given the opportunity to choose among a wide range of sports.
Dog catching!! That’s how ignorant you sound…