Cayman Islands Government

07/12/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/12/2021 16:05

Flag Presented to CI Olympic Cttee

News, Event

Flag Presented to CI Olympic Cttee

Published: July 12, 2021

With the XXXII Olympics opening ceremony less than two weeks away, Cayman's national delegation will march behind the national flag gifted by the Cayman Islands Government. Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush presented that flag to the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee on Saturday (10 July 2021).

Given to the committee's Chef de Mission, Janet Sairsingh, the handover at the Westin Hotel was attended by the Ministry's Chief Officer Teresa Echenique, CIOC President Lori Powell, its Secretary General Carson Ebanks and Digicel (Cayman) Chief Executive Officer Diane McAuliffe.

Minister Bush said: 'Having previously been an Olympic Committee executive committee member for many years, I understand the importance of having the athletes know that the Minister of Sports and their government are one hundred per cent behind them. We congratulate and wish them every success in what will probably be one of the greatest sporting events of their careers.

'I also want to extend a very special thanks to our Olympic Committee and its staff for all the work they have done in getting our athletes ready for the games.'

Following the presentation, CIOC President said: 'We are extremely proud of this Olympic Team. Each and every athlete has shown focus, determination and commitment, in these uncertain times, to qualify for these games. Our athletes have also dedicated themselves to the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence in their sport and lives. And their reward is a well-deserved spot on Cayman's Olympic Team in Tokyo.'

She added, 'The CIOC would also like to thank the Ministry of Sport for their support to us and all the sporting federations on Island and looks forward to working very closely with the new Minister of Sport, Mr. Bernie Bush, to bring sports to its highest level.'

Olympic hopefuls: Jillian Crooks, 15, (100m freestyle); Brett Fraser, 31, (50m freestyle); Kemar Hyman Oly,31, (100m); Raegan Rutty, 19, (gymnastics), and Shalysa Wray, 22, (400m), will shortly meet up with the Chef de Mission Sairsingh in Miami. The 11-person delegation, including coaches and support staff, will then undergo two rounds of COVID-19 testing before flying to Tokyo.

Digicel's Ms McAuliffe said: 'On behalf of all of us at Digicel, we wish the five Caymanian athletes a tremendous experience at the Olympics, proudly representing Cayman. Additionally, we wish all the athletes across all our countries much success at this world-class event and as the Caribbean Official Broadcaster everyone can enjoy this global event on the SportsMax (SMAX) app.

In a new tradition, according to official reports, national teams will be led out at the opening ceremony (Friday, 23 July) in the Japan National Stadium by both a male and female flag bearer.

For more local and regional Olympic news, visit: www.caymanolympic.org.ky, http://www.facebook.com/CaymanIslandsOlympicCommittee and download the Digicel app.

Updated: July 12, 2021
Category: Youth & Sports