First of all, I hope that this letter finds you and your families in good health and good spirits.

Ever since our historic decision to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has been working relentlessly on organising these first-ever postponed Games in history. While this task represents a big challenge, together with all our Japanese partners and friends, we are determined to make these Games a beacon of hope for all humankind to overcome this pandemic. In this way, the Olympic flame can be the light at the end of the dark tunnel that we all find ourselves in.

In order to promote this Olympic spirit of hope and optimism already now in all countries around the world, it is my great pleasure to invite you join the One Year To Go celebrations ahead of the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

On 23 July 2020, let us join together to use the power of sport to look ahead with confidence to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as a moment of solidarity and proof of the resilience of humankind.

As you and your athletes continue in preparing for these Olympic Games, I can only encourage you to put your best foot forward. Athletes are fantastic role models for society as they continue to inspire us all through their actions and resilience. Despite all the challenges, athletes are training and preparing to perform at their best at the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. In our unprecedented times, these Games will take on an even greater significance as a celebration of diversity, inclusion and of the athletes’ sporting achievements.

The official invitations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 that you have received before the postponement remain valid for the new dates next year. Your ongoing commitment in making athletes’ Olympic dreams come true is essential at this time and in the months that lie ahead.

The Olympic Games are not only the greatest sporting event in the world. In these unprecedented times we are living in, the Olympic Games will be a symbol of hope and inspiration for the entire world. Together with our Japanese partners and friends we will make the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 an unforgettable celebration of all humankind, united in all our diversity.

In the meantime, please #StayStrong #StayActive #StayHealthy.

Reference is made in this communication to a number of the more salient and direct changes that would impact the athletes, coaches/trainers and other athlete support staff, Member National Federations (NFs) and the leadership of the SKNOC relative to preparation and participation in the XXXII edition of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

a) it is now official, the IOC has agreed to the POSTPONEMENT of the Games originally scheduled to run from July 24 to August 9, 2020.

b) the Games will still be held in Tokyo, Japan, but now scheduled for after the year 2020 but “must be held by the Summer of 2021”.

c) the Olympic Flame which has already arrived in Tokyo will not be extinguished and the Games will still be known as the 2020 Olympic Games and so branded, even though they will now take place in 2021.

d) some 53 per cent of athletes from 206 countries across 5 continents have already qualified to participate in the 2020 Games which involve 33 sports.

i. there is an expressed viewpoint that these 53 per cent of athletes should not lose their “qualifying status”, that is, they should be automatically qualified. Clarity on this matter is expected from the IOC and/or the respective International Federations (IFs).

ii. we also await clarity and guidance on the adjustments and decisions (per sport/ discipline) that would be made to allow for future qualification opportunities and respective deadlines. You will recall that the uncertainties and challenges presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) severely disrupted qualification schedules and opportunities.

iii. athletes still seeking qualification would be taken into consideration when determining future qualification deadlines.

e) no individual athlete or team from St. Kitts and Nevis has yet qualified for the Tokyo Games (as of March 25th 2020).

f) a number of individuals is currently actively seeking qualification. The SKNOC provides regular support to these individuals in the form of financial scholarships.

g) These individual athletes currently on scholarship will continue to be provided with financial assistance for that purpose as per the availability and access to such funding from the SKNOC partners. This is in light of the extended period for preparation as a result of the postponement to 2021.

h) However, this financial support, now suspended, will not recommence until the all clear to resume preparation/training is received from the appropriate health authorities.

i) There is reason for optimism that additional funding specifically for the scholarship athletes would be forthcoming from IOC/Olympic Solidarity and Panamsports but no formal word has yet been had and there is no indication as how much.

j) From an SKNOC standpoint, however, continuity on the scholarship and any other funding programmes will not be automatic. Athletes will have to demonstrate evidence of progress and advance towards the required levels of performance to inspire confidence in the likelihood of meeting the qualification levels or obtaining other established standards for participation.

k) The Games Preparation Committee has the responsibility and authority to monitor and recommend the continuity/exclusion of any athlete/team in the scholarship programme and/or to recommend an athlete for inclusion. The Executive, in turn, reserves the right to act on that recommendation. The final decision would always be determined by the availability and/or access to funds and the quantum per athlete/team by predetermined criteria.

l) Athletes based overseas are required to stay put, and strongly encouraged to strictly follow the instructions and guidelines established by the relevant health and government authorities in their respective jurisdictions. The SKNOC is not approving payment for travel to St. Kitts and Nevis or anywhere else at this moment. When it becomes appropriate and feasible so to do, the athletes concerned would be contacted.

m) Similarly, athletes based in St. Kitts and Nevis will not receive approved funding for travel until national and other relevant health authorities give the green light so to do and the SKNOC endorses in writing.

n) All athletes are therefore requested to follow the safety and security protocols established by the government and health agencies in order to diminish and eliminate any contamination by the Coronavirus.

o) developments continue to evolve moment by moment in regard to the elusive and highly dangerous Coronavirus. On Monday 23rd March, the SKNOC was a participant in a video conference summoned by the IOC. The outcome of that video conference was summarily made public following that video conference.

p) On Tuesday 24th March there was video conference held by the Panamsports Executive in which President Bridgewater participated. A summary of this video conference was made available to athletes, Member Federations and the SKNOC Executive.

By the following day, the Panamsports Secretariat published its own media release outlining what took place for the consumption of its constituent membership and the international public.

q) In very quick succession, the IOC was back in the media, this time informing all concerned that the decision had been taken to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to 2021. Quite a cascade of events over a 24 to 72-hour period.

r) The SKNOC is in full concert with the Panamsports to provide unequivocal support to the IOC’s decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

s) At this very moment, the SKNOC is receiving word of yet another video conference to be convened by the IOC on Friday 27th March, 2020 – further evidence of the critical focus the issue occupies in the consciousness of all concerned at this time.

t) The SKNOC remains committed to the safety and security of the athletes and the supporting team as the priority in all deliberations and decisions taken concerning the ongoing challenges posed by the Coronavirus in relation to the organization, preparation and participation in the XXXII edition of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

u) It is against this backdrop that the SKNOC will continue to monitor the unfolding developments, keeping watch with eagle eyes; heed the recommendations and advice of the relevant and pertinent government, and health experts and authorities and make smart decisions going forward.

At that point, the SKNOC/CGA took the position to be guided, in its response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), by the combined information, instruction, advice and recommendations emerging from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and local Government and Ministry of Heath Authorities.

Those Agencies, Bodies and Authorities continue to be the principal sources of advice, instruction and guidance that inform the SKNOC’s/CGA’s efforts to act responsibly, in the protection and safeguard of the health and wellness of its constituents (athletes, their support staff, administrative staff, officers and their family), in the wake of the challenges of the Coronavirus, described as a pandemic by the WHO.

Consequently, all athletes, coaches, trainers and other athlete-related support staff, SKNOC/CGA Executive and other leadership, plus Administrative Staff, Member Federations and the persons directly or indirectly related to SKNOC/CGA sponsored, affiliated or supported events, activities, camps, etc., are to be guided and impacted by the decisions and positions outlined below:

• With respect to the status of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled for July 24 through to August 9:
  • the SKNOC/CGA accepts the position of the IOC who indicates that the Games are indeed still on as scheduled.
  • athletes are encouraged to continue vigorous preparation in safe environments. where opportunities for qualification purposes have been negatively impacted as a result of the Coronavirus, the IOC and its respective partners at the Continental level, the level of the International Federations (IFs), will seek to intervene to make adjustments in as fair, just and equitable a manner possible.

In short, athletes are strongly encouraged to prepare assiduously for their respective qualification and participation in Tokyo taking into consideration the latest information and guidance from their various IFs and other ruling and/or national bodies.

• In light of the most recent developments concerning the ongoing challenges posed by the Coronavirus, including but not limited to, the international postponement and cancelation of training camps, qualification events, the cancelations of activities that attract spectators – in some instances, of as little as 250 persons; the cancellation and/or reduction of available air travel to and from actual and proposed venues for events, the record of actual cases of Coronavirus in growing numbers of countries, cities, towns, villages and communities (our own Caribbean area not to be outdone – has accounted for actual cases in some 19-20 Caribbean countries to date – the SKNOC/CGA:
  • has withdrawn all previous approval to travel to participate in any event as a representative of or with the support of the SKNOC/CGA. This action stands until further notice and the SKNOC/CGA, via official communication from the office of the President so advises.
  • This decision is equally attributable, but not limited to, participation in competitions, events, qualifiers, scholarship-related travel, attendance at seminars, workshops, conventions etc. Further, the decision is equally attributable to athletes as well as their support team, plus to Executive and other members of the SKNOC/CGA.
• The SKNOC/CGA commits to the constant review of its position and resolves to always put primary emphasis on the health, well being, safety and security of its athletes, supporting staff and its constituents.
• The SKNOC recommits to collaborating with the expert, knowledgeable, technical, human and other resources made available to it by the IOC, the WHO, National Government and Health Ministry to inform future actions in the immediate, short and long term.
• To this end, an updated statement is to be expected by April 30th, 2020.

Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday August 23, 2016: On the eve of Olympic Team SKN’s return from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, President of the SKNOC, Alphonso Bridgewater, said he was proud of the efforts displayed by athletes while expressing disappointment at the overall performance of the team.

He said, “Medals aside, the SKNOC expected better results from Olympic Team SKN. However, while being disappointed, but not disheartened, we are proud that the athletes made it this far; and each athlete should also be proud of their own achievements in qualifying for the world’s greatest games.”

Earlier at the close of the Games, Mr. Bridgewater, on behalf of the SKNOC, extended his personal congratulations to the team made up of Team Captain, Antoine Adams, Tameka Williams, Brijesh Lawrence, Kim Collins, Jason Rogers, Allistar Clarke and Lestrod Roland, while also extending a special congratulations to Kim Collins for his continuing age-defying performances.

Head Coach, Donnell Esdaille said,”The games are over and our high expectations were not achieved, however we were grateful for the opportunity to represent our country at the pinnacle of all the sporting events, the Olympic Games. The team will continue to learn, grow and eventually attain the goals we set out to achieve. We saw evidence and glimpses of our potential displayed at the games, so we know with continued support and encouragement, the future of the Athletics, at this level, will be in good hands. Thanks to all who contributed to this process.”

Chef de Mission, Leroy Greene, also commenting, said,”The Rio Games in my view was a huge success. Although Team SKN did not achieve all of its goals we think that we represented the Federation well. We look forward to doing so again in Tokyo in 2020”.

The SKNOC encourages the nation to welcome the returning athletes arriving Wednesday reminding Kittitians and Nevisians of some significant facts, namely,

• The SKNOC shares a distinction with other small nations in sending the most athletes per population to the Olympics. Olympic Team SKN 2016 represented one athlete per 7.1 residents.
• Olympian Team SKN may not have yet won a medal, but are still Olympians. Every athlete met the qualifying standard in each discipline thereby proving their right to feature among the very best in the world.
• 207 nations competed at the ‪‎Rio 2016 Olympics but only 16 can compete in the relays, one of which was the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
• The Federation represented one of only three Caribbean countries that made Essence Magazine’s list for best Olympic uniforms.

Mr. Bridgewater once again welcomed the visit to Rio 2016 of the Hon. Shawn Richards, commenting that “Minister Shawn’s official visit to the Olympic Village and his Ministry’s commitment to sport development, sets the pace for athletes preparing for their next competitions.”

He concluded, “Praise should be extended to the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for surmounting the challenges and demands of hosting an event of this magnitude while we also recognise the courage and character of the first South American country and population to stage these Games.”

Editor’s Note:

Team Members and Athletes returning from Rio 2016 to St. Kitts on Wednesday August 24, include:

Valarie Richardson—Mason, Athletic Team Manager
Allister James, Masseur
Antoine Adams, Team Captain
Jason Rogers,
Lestrod Roland

Follow Olympic Team SKN via Twitter and Facebook.com to support #TeamSKN!

Rio de Janeiro, Thursday August 18, 2016: The SKNOC has welcomed the official visit of St. Kitts & Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sports, the Hon.Shawn Richards, to Rio 2016, the Deputy PM’s first attendance at an Olympic Games. A welcome ceremony to mark Minister Richards arrival at the Olympic Village was held Wednesday, chaired by Leroy Greene, Chef de Mission and Assistant Secretary-General of the SKNOC,in the presence of members of the SKNOC and Olympic Team SKN.

The official visit to Rio demonstrates Minister Richards’ personal, his Ministry’s and his government’s continuing support for athletes and sport in general, his arrival following a busy schedule in St. Kitts which successfully hosted the just concluded semi-finals and finals of the 2016 CPL T20 matches.

Minister Richards spent time with each of the athletes in the Olympic Village, during their practice and preparation for their competitions as well as touring the Olympic training facility and being available for photographs with the team. He warmly commended and congratulated the athletes for having been selected to represent SKN on the largest stage in the world of sport.

Speaking of his visit, Minister Richards said, “Olympic Team SKN deserve our admiration and praise for the hard work and dedication each athlete has put in the many months before getting to Rio. I am happy to say that Sport is high on the agenda in this government’s administration; we are committed to national sport development and intend to put our full support behind all things Olympian now and in the coming years.”

Minister Richards has also been offering his full encouragement to the athletes for their achievements so far during the athletic events, extending his own personal congratulations to Kim Collins for his super-human effort in the heats and semi-finals of the Men’s 100m. He also expressed his personal best wishes, and on behalf of the people and government of SKN, to the team, ahead of their Relays.

SKNOC President, Alphonso Bridgewater, said “the visit of the Deputy PM this week offers a huge inspiration for the athletes and support team. Government is an essential partner of any National Olympic Committee and the SKNOC has enjoyed a tremendously positive relationship with successive governments, illustrated by the presence of Prime Ministers and Ministers with responsibility for Sport at the various Games. Deputy Prime Minister Richards’ visit and presence is a signal of his commitment to that legacy partnership and a robust desire to provide inspiration and encouragement to athletes performing on the world stage.”

Follow Olympic Team SKN via Twitter and Facebook.com to support #TeamSKN! .

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 15, 2016: SKNOC President, Alphonso Bridgewater, took time out of his hectic schedule yesterday to reunite with two former associates from the sporting world with special connections to St. Kitts.

Standing on the left is VP of Connor Sport Court International, Andrew Gettig, a former Peace Corps Volleyball coach in St. Kitts from 1987 to 1989 for the Department of Youth, Sports, Social and Community Development. On his right, beach volleyball legend Randy Stoklos of USA who, together with Gettig, organised an historic goodwill tour to the island 26 years ago that saw the first ever suspended outdoor volleyball court come to St Kitts.

Both hold fond memories of St. Kitts, Randy particularly reminiscing on coaching days against the St. Kitts national volleyball team, “playing against guys with long dreadlocks, experiencing soursop for the first time, and driving a mini-moke down sugar cane lined dirt roads to go surfing north of Sandy Point.”

For Andrew Gettig, the highlight of his career back in St. Kitts was to be hired by Sport Court Inc., the manufacturer of that very same outdoor volleyball court on the island and he remains with the company after 25 years. Working together with the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation), Sport Court Inc. has donated over 50 special outdoor volleyball courts to developing regions.

As Andrew comments, “It all started in St. Kitts”.

Mr. Bridges, a director at the time at the same Department, said, “I was grateful to meet up again with these two very special people; we owe Andrew and Randy a debt of gratitude for the part they played in developing Volleyball in St. Kitts.”

Follow Olympic Team SKN via Twitter and Facebook.com to support #TeamSKN! .

Team Captain, Antoine Adams, leads the full roster of track and field athletes which include Allistar Clarke, Kim Collins, Brijesh Lawrence, Jason Rogers, Lestrod Roland and Tameka Williams, as they prepare for one of the most anticipated games of the Olympics, at the Maracanã Stadium.

Head Coach, Donnell Esdaille, said, “Training and practice sessions are in full swing at the Olympic training facility and athletes are in good spirits as they look forward to finally getting out on to the Stadium. I am exceptionally proud of the athletes who individually achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, along with the relay team who automatically qualified at the World Relays in 2015, when they made the finals.”

Esdaille continued, “This is what they have been preparing for, this is their dream and I am confident that each athlete will achieve their highest level of performance on the track. On behalf of the Federation and Kittitians and Nevisians around the globe, I wish them God speed and success.”

The SKNOC reminds fans watching the Games to keep up with the day to day coverage and excitement of the athletics via SKNOC Facebook and Twitter pages in addition to live coverage on Free to Air TV, Cable TV, Mobile streaming and ESPN Caribbean.

The Schedule of Track and Field events for Olympic Team SKN (Rio Time) is as follows:

Men’s 100m with Antoine Adams, Kim Collins and Brijesh Lawrence:

• Sat, August 13: Heats starting
• Sun, August 14: Semi-Finals and Final

Women’s 200m with Tameka Williams:

• Mon, August 15: Heats starting
• Tue, August 16: Semi-Finals
• Wed, August 17: Finals

Men’s 200m with Antoine Adams:

• Tue, August 16: Heats starting
• Wed, August 17: Semi-Finals
• Thu, August 18: Finals

Men’s 4x100m relay with Antoine Adams, Allistar Clarke, Kim Collins, Brijesh Lawrence, Jason Rogers and Lestrod Roland:

• Thu, August 18: Heats starting
• Fri, August 19: Finals

Follow Olympic Team SKN: Olympic Team SKN fans are invited to follow the athletes via Twitter and Facebook.com which will share all the up to the minute news and excitement in real time.

In the spotlight today is: 27-year old Team Captain and Flag Bearer, Antoine Adams, who recently won the 2016 National Track and Field Championship and is record holder of the 200m at National Youth, Junior and Senior categories.

How are you spending your days?
I am spending these last few days before competition starts mainly training, eating and sleeping. Rest is most important. Training is at a minimum rate right now. My coach and I are just fine tuning and getting the body ready to take on the best in the world. I have been getting my usual 7 hours of sleep, but I have also been taking naps during the day lately.

What do you eat? Is there anything you can’t resist?
My diet mainly consists of carbs and protein. I usually start overloading on carbs 3 days out from competition. It is almost like I am filling up my energy tank. I have been addicted to cassava lately for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It gives me this boost of energy and my body just reacts great to it.

Do you have any preparation rituals?
I really like to laugh and have a little fun before competition. It relaxes me. Other than that I am listening to music and chilling.

Where have you been in Rio, what have you seen?
I have not been anywhere yet. I am focusing on getting ready for my events. I have been going back and forth between the track for training and the Olympic Village.

What are your impressions of the Olympic Village?
It is fine with me. Very beautiful. It gets the job done which is most important.

Are there any similarities or differences compared to the Olympics in London 2012?
The atmosphere is about the same to me. The best athletes from around the world have come together to compete at the highest stage in sports. It does not get any better than this.

Follow Olympic Team SKN via Twitter and Facebook to support Antoine Adams and the other athletes!

Coach Esdaille, congrats on your new gig. Tell us about your start in Track and Field.

Thank you very much. I had an unusual start in track and field. I was never one who was on the radar of selectors. One day I was challenged by a young athlete to a fun race and I was able to beat him… twice. I was already 22 years of age. Coach Rawle Isaac thought there was some talent in me and invited me to train and that’s how I got into the sport officially.

What benefits did you enjoy as an athlete?

Firstly, I was able to hone my skills when selected to be a part of the national training squad. I then became involved in the Extreme Velocity Track Club and after two years I secured a scholarship because of my athletic ability at Paul Quinn College where I excelled at the conference level, becoming champion in the 100m and 200m for three (3) consecutive years while pursuing my degree there.

When did you start coaching and how has it been going?

While studying at Paul Quinn College, I was also heavily involved in the management of the track team and realised my affinity for coaching. My teammates at the time accepted my leadership role and methods utilised and it is said that this helped our team to win conference titles. After graduation, I returned to St. Kitts where I continued to advance my athletic coaching career. I was given the opportunity to lead the Track and Field team at the Washington Archibald High School and I am proud that I was able to lead the high schoolers to three (3) championships. One of the highlights of my coaching career, was being named the Head Coach of the 2015 St. Kitts- Nevis team for the Carifta Games, held on home soil. It was a challenge I embraced and I was happy for the opportunity to work with the national junior and youth athletes at home. Along with the other coaches and specialty staff, we were able to surpass our medal expectations. Actually, the 2015 team is the most successful ever in the history of the coun
try’s athletics at that level. Another highlight is the elevation to Head Coach of the Rio Olympics team. Coaching has been simply enjoyable.

How did you feel when asked to be the Head Coach for Rio 2016?

When I was approached I was very honoured and thankful for the opportunity and quickly went into planning and work mode. Some expected me to knock glasses and celebrate but I had to quickly begin focusing on achieving success.

What do you find most rewarding about coaching?

What is most rewarding is seeing how coaching changes lives for the better especially when the athletes begin to embrace the values instilled. To this day, I firmly believe that good coaching produces not only great athletes but outstanding citizens.

What is the one thing you preach to all your athletes?

The one thing I preach to my athletes is the importance of disciplined preparation. The race is won in the preparation phase. So come ‘Race Day’, it should be very easy to achieve success because of disciplined preparation.

What does the future hold for Coach Esdaille?

I am hoping that I will still continue to make a difference in the lives of many through athletics. I’ll wait and see what God has in store for me and my family.

Do you have any special talents?

I do have some talents besides coaching which bring balance to my life. I’m also a musician. I am member of the Music Department at the Rehoboth Apostolic Church in St. Kitts and I’ve played with a number of gospel groups over the years.

Is there one surprising thing about you that most persons do not know?

I am very much into FAMILY. I am a family man, married for sixteen years to my lovely wife Ifuela and we have one son, Dante with whom I enjoy quiet family moments. They are always very supportive of my endeavours and I am truly grateful. In appreciation I try to spend quality time with them.