Celebrating 40 years in the Olympic Movement

See article in V.I.Daily News click here

Just a quick note sailors had their last day of races before the medal
race tomorrow Challis had a 6th place finish in one her races and then
was selected for drug testing :) that makes 3 out of our 8 athletes. Ian
is now in first place going into the medal race It is the final race and it
can not be thrown out. so we will let you know how things turn out.

Lyn

Hi All
 
Basketball lost their last game to Central African Republic to end up 16th
out of 20. It was a great experience. Serbia won the Gold. all their players 
have signed with the European League.

The US team who finished 4th are all on their way to colleges: Michigan
State, Kansas State, Boston College, and Duke. Interesting. as I said 
before it was really fun to watch.
 
Sailors are still sailing and have at least 2 more races and the gold
medal race if the wind holds. Ian Barrows has moved up into 2nd place 
going into today's races The Olympic torch lighter from Singapore is in
1st. Challis is holding around 20 out of 32.
 
David Walter from track is one of 205 athletes selected to attend a
seminar with IOC President Jacques Rogge on August 25 to discuss 
the YOG and other matters concerning sports, education and culture. 
What a once in lifetime experience.
 
Last couple of days will be spent watching other sports, exploring
Singapore and shopping.
 
Lyn

Day 5--August 20

Team Dinner

Entire Team and NOC Assistants went out to dinner last night. The
restaurant was in a mall (there are malls everywhere) and not just one
floor square malls these are 6 and 7 story malls the twists and turns
and almost anything you can think of to buy from high end watches and
jewelry to dried Chinese herbs and pickled octopus. And they are filled
with people at all hours.

Well after a bus ride into the Marina Bay area we met up with our
assistants who took us to a well known family style restaurant call No
Signboard. It was packed. We sat at two round tables with a large lazy
Susan in the middle to pass the dishes of food. Our assistants ordered
for us as all we knew that we might want to try was the famous "Chilly
Crab" and "Drunken Shrimp" From the noodles to garlic fried vegetables
the food all had unique flavors. It was en experience. we topped dinner off
with some soothing ice cream.

After dinner we wound our way through the mall again this time ending up
at the subway station as our busses had stopped running. another
experience that many had not had and of course it was packed but very
clean and quick. The organizers have given everyone a transport pass that
allows all of us to ride the subway and bus systems for free.

David and Brigitte off to the Island Adventure and Basketball team to play
Egypt. Challis and Ian have day off so they are sleeping in and then off
to watch some other
sports.

Lyn

Think this is a combo of Friday and Saturday not really sure.

Friday Sailors got off two races Ian had a 2nd and 8 and with
the throw out is now tied for 5th place. Challis was not as happy
with her results but still in the middle of the the fleet. Unfortunately
now wind today as they sat out at the Sailing Center waiting for the
wind to fill in. tomorrow is another lay day for them.

David Walters ran his heat in the 400 with a time of 52.50 Before the
race he found his friend from Siera Leone and gave him the cleats. Both
athlete and his coach were very appreciative. by the way David did receive
his Swatch watch last night. Brigitte is one sticker away.

Basketball lost today against Turkey 31 to 16 who were one of the tallest
teams in the competition, tomorrow they will play Egypt.

Last night we visited the Virgin Islands Booth in the Olympic Village
put together by a local primary school They were very excited to have us
visit and presented us with an awesome wire sculpture and water color
hibiscus done by one of the students. They had researched our country
and put together display booth.

We presented them with gifts form the VI including hats bags and books
showing our islands. Jaiver Martinez gave each student one of our pins.

Will try to send off some pictures later.

We are off for a team dinner tonight. David and Brigitte are off tomorrow
for the Island Adventure which is like an Outward bound program with lots
of team building activities including high ropes and repelling and building
rafts.

Busy Busy

Hi

On Thursday the entire VI delegation went to watch and cheer our
Basketball team as they played against Croatia. We lost to them as
Croatia went undefeated in our round robin. The VI will play against Turkey
on Saturday.

David Walters will also run in the 400 on Saturday. Besides training,
David has been busy working on the cultural and educational portion
of the games and it looks like he will be the first VI athlete to receive
the special edition YOG Swatch Watch for completion of all major activities.

After their first day off sailors Ian Barrows and Challis Diaz are back
on the water Friday and Saturday. Despite rainy conditions Challis
had two 12 place finishes out of field of 32. Ian was 8 and 12. Their
competition continues until the 25th.

While at the games, each country is assigned NOC (National
Olympic Committee) Assistants to help us get around the village and
make sure we get all our paperwork in on time and enjoy all that
Singapore has to offer We have been blessed with 3 outstanding young
women, Thu Thu (pronounced Tu Tu), originally from Myramar, Esther
from Singapore and Peng from Malaysia. They have really done a fantastic
job and enhanced our time here in Singapore.

On Saturday night we are planning to take the entire team and NOC
Assistants out to enjoy some true Singapore food especially the
famous "Chilly Crab" Will let you know how it goes

Lyn

Day 4--August 18

Hi All

Correction Brigitte swam the 100 Breast not fly sorry it was early or late
when I sent. :)

Basketball Boys lost to Spain in a very low scoring game 17 to 11'
Played tough but could not score. they play Crotia today to see
if they move on to medal round.

Sailors had heavy rains at the venue that delayed and postponed their races
They got home late yesterday so it is a good thing they have the day off
today to relax and regroup.

Our young athletes are really taking advantage of opportunities that are
being offered like having a chance to chat with former champions like Sergie
Bubka.

Local schools are setting up booths to teach kids about different countries
We have had Europe and Africa so far and tomorrow will be North America
and Caribbean. Some of our athletes will go to a local school to talk about
their experiences here and the Virgin Islands.

WSTA is doing a live broadcast around 9:00 every morning with comments by
our kids.

Hope all is well in the VI

Lyn

Another busy day for Virgin Islands Athletes

Brigitte Ramussen swam the 100 butterfly an was first in her heat but did
not move on into the finals.
She was chosen for a random drug test which is another unique experience.
Javier Martinez from the Basketball team got to experience that after the
teams first win.

David Walter ran the 400M His first 100 were the fastest of anyone racing
but he could not keep it up and finished off his best time.

IOC President Jacque Rogge said at the Opening Ceremony that there is a
difference between a winner and a champion. "to win, you merely have to
cross the finish line first. To be a champion, you have to inspire admiration
for your character as well as for your physical talent" well David Walter
did that for me yesterday. One of his fellow competitors did not have spikes
for the 400M so David without hesitation gave him one of his pair so that
he could participate having the same advantage as the rest of the
field. David will run again on the 21.

Sailing got there first races under their belts. Ian Barrows was over earlier
in the first race and got a 5th in the second. Cahllis Diaz was in the middle
of the fleet in both of her races. The sailors are scheduled for 2 or 3 races
on the 18,20,21 23, 24, & 25

Basketball was in town for a free throw shoot out when a very heavy thunderstorm
dropped a huge amount of rain that caused the tent to collapse ad knock over
dozens of people will find out more about that later.

Lyn

Day 2--August 16, 2010

Hi again,

There was an article in Daily News today. They are going to be
asking the 8 athletes questions daily about their experiences here at the Youth Olympic Games. (YOG) and running their answers.

Basketball had another great day. They scored 32 points to end the game
against the Philippines with over a minute left to play. All four players really know the 3 on 3 game
and make the most of it.
Their shooting again has been great. Coach Jareem Dowling video taped
their next opponent Spain for them to study.

Again the atmosphere at the venue is really unique The team does not
have a game on Tuesday but will be participating in a free throw
contest in the afternoon. With the way they have been shooting who
knows...

Brigitte Rasmussen swims the 100 butterfly tomorrow and David Walters the 40

Sailors Ian Barrows and Challis Diaz had a practice race today but no wind
made it a drifting match

Races begin tomorrow.

Lyn

Good Morning

Opening ceremony was impressive. Singapore took advantage of their
beautiful waterfront stage and impressive skyline. Lots of fire and fire
works, dancersdragons drums, the torch came in by boat across the bay.
Hope they showed some clips in the islands. Everyone was home before
Midnight so that was a plus.

Bridget swam the 50 breast and was just a little off her CAC best time.
She swims again on Tuesday. Bridget really liked the starting blocks that
allow you to push off like the track blocks.

The Basketball team had solid win over South Africa.
(28-12 I believe could be a little off) At one point they had 3 the pointers
in a row. The venue is awesome. Two half court games are going on at once.

Both being announced and music blaring. While the teams are warming
up at least twenty girls are dancing while they are shooting. 5 minute halves
with a shot clock of 10 seconds It is exciting to watch, They play the Philippines
tomorrow morning David Walters practiced at the competition site this AM
and will run Tuesday morning. Sailors had another day of practice and will have
a practice race tomorrow.

Everyone trading pins and taking advantage of the activities being offered

IT really is a unique experience

Lyn

Opening Ceremony

Hi 
 
The Opening Ceremony for the YOG (Singapore uses abbreviations for
everything is tonight. So swimming, track and Basketball
are getting a short practice in before ceremony. Jareem is at the team
leaders meeting for B-ball and their first game is tomorrow against South Africa.
Bridget also swims tomorrow. Sailing has another training day with a
practice race on Monday, their competition begins on Tuesday as does David 
Walter in track. The athletes are taking advantage of all the various activities 
that are being offered
 
 All is going well although it is very hot and muggy.
 
My cell phone is 97812587 if you need to contact me.
 
Lyn

The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee
P.O. Box 366Frederiksted,
St. Croix, VI 00841
340-719-VIOC
340-778-0270 fax
virginislandsolympic@attglobal.net