Five young athletes from the U.S. Virgin Islands left the territory Monday to fly to China for the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, according to the V.I. Olympic Committee.
Carlos Rosa and Ajai Sweeney, both from St. Croix, will compete in beach volleyball. Scott McKenzie, from St. Thomas, and Paige Clarke, from St. John, will take part in sailing, and Kohun Eugene, from St. John, will participate in athletics.
At the airport Monday morning, Eugene said the upcoming flight was a dream come true, almost literally.
“I was sleeping when my coach called me with the news that I had qualified to go to the Youth Olympic Games," he said. "When I was fully awake, I called him back to make sure that he had actually called and it wasn’t a dream.”
Eugene added he was excited about everything; “the sports, the culture, the new place, meeting other athletes.”
The other athletes were also keyed up for the adventure.
“I am really excited to see how I’ll do against the other athletes,” McKenzie said.
Carlos Rosa and Ajai Sweeney said they were excited about experiencing a new place and culture.
The Youth Olympic Games are an elite sporting event for young athletes from around the world, according to the VIOC announcement. The sporting program is based on the Olympic Games, with 28 sports featured in the Summer Games. Unique to the Youth Games is an integrated Culture and Education Program that focuses on Olympism, social responsibility, skills development, expression and well-being.
Updates on Team ISV at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing will be posted online at the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/VirginIslandsOlympics.