The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) said today that 14 athletes have been selected to compete in the inaugural Junior Pan Am Games, scheduled for November 23 to December 5, 2021, in Cali, Columbia.
The athletes will compete in eight disciplines: aquatics, badminton, cycling, fencing, table tennis, tennis, triathlon and wrestling.
The event is open to athletes throughout the Americas between the ages of 17 and 22.
Additionally, each individual gold medallist at Cali 2021, will automatically qualify to participate in the Pan American Games in Santiago in two years’ time.
All 41 member countries of The Pan-Am Sports Organisation are slated to attend the games. The Barbados team comprises six males and eight females – Jack Kirby, Keilani Talma and Danielle Treasure – aquatics; Kennie King and Gavin Robinson – badminton; Amber Joseph – cycling (track and road); Sanojah Gilkes – fencing; Kenady King – table tennis; Hannah Chambers and Stephen Slocombe – tennis; Zahra Gaskin, Chara Hinds and Niel Skinner – triathlon and Jaden Gay – wrestling.
The team, led by chef de mission Gail Craig-Archer and assistant chef de mission Shelley-Ann Griffith, will be accompanied by eight coaches and the medical team of Dr Ingrid Burrowes and physiotherapist, Kwayne Dalrymple.
Craig Archer said that the BOA is especially pleased to be sending a team to represent Barbados at the historic games.
“Since the Olympics we have been hoping to continue providing opportunities for our athletes to compete internationally. These Games are timely and afford our junior athletes the opportunity to compete on a world stage, giving them the experience they require as they seek to advance their sporting careers,” she said.
The games will feature 315 events in 28 sports and, with spectators expected to be in attendance, it will be the first multi-sport event this year to do so. The venues will allow a maximum capacity of 50 per cent in keeping with coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols.
More than 3 500 young athletes will compete in the multi-sport event over two weeks. (PR)
