ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, July 24th, 2012 – BVI House in London is officially designated the Territory’s National House for the London 2012 Olympics. As such, BVI residents and supporters visiting London are invited to watch the games and cheer on the BVI Olympic Team.
BVI House was officially designated an Olympic House by the London Olympic Organising committee.
At the welcome reception and post flag raising ceremony for the BVI Olympic Team on July 17, BVI London Office Director Mr. Kedrick Malone remarked, “We are proud to have BVI House serve as the Territory’s official National House for the London 2012 Olympics where visiting residents and supporters of the Territory can come to watch the games. We have made special provisions for refreshments and a large plasma screen on which to view the various athletic events.”
He also encouraged persons to view the artwork in the BVI House art gallery, featuring 12 local artists. The display is a part of the BVI Art and Culture Show, which is now in full swing.
After the reception, in an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Malone said, “We are indeed pleased that the Territory has competitive athletes and for the first time an Olympic House to support them. This demonstrates how far the BVI has come since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which was the first time the BVI competed.”
Over 80 persons attended Tuesday’s event including residents from the village of Aston, Hertfordshire County officials, Members of Parliament, UK Government Officials, High Commissioners, London Olympic Committee officials, BVI residents and many others.
BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) Secretary General Mr. Dean Greenaway also gave remarks and extended a special thank you to Hertfordshire County and the people of Aston village, including BVI Olympic Attaché Mrs. Shirley Parker and her husband Mr. Dave Parker. The couple was presented with a special gift for their support of BVI athletes and youth. Mrs. Rosemarie Mulla, a strong supporter of the BVIOC, was also recognised for her efforts to assist in preparing athletes for competition.
Chairman of the Friends of the BVI and Former BVI Governor Mr. Frank Savage congratulated the BVIOC and its athletes, Mrs. Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Mr. J’maal Alexander for making it to the London Olympics and wished them the best of success.
The evening’s activities included a musical performance by Mr. Oren Hodge of the band, Blue Essence, and the opening of a photography display of the BVI’s Olympic history dating back to the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
The highlight of the evening was a performance by the Enis Adams Primary School Hawks Club who is visiting the United Kingdom on a cultural exchange with the village of Aston. The six dancers performed three dance routines to traditional fungi music, while wearing the Territory’s traditional festive wear.
The precursor event to the evening’s activities at BVI House was the London Olympics Team Welcome Ceremony at the Olympic stadium where the BVI’s flag was raised and national anthem played first among participating countries.
That same day, the BVI Olympic Team received a surprise visit and greeting from London Olympic Committee Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe. The official greeting was the first in the Chairman’s 204 scheduled activities to welcome each participating team.
The BVI London Office represents the interests of the Government and people of the Territory in the United Kingdom and Europe. Based at BVI House, the office serves as headquarters for official visits to the region and supports Virgin Islanders living and studying in Britain.
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