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

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

Commissioned by the SKNOC, for whom the presentation of each athlete and team member was of paramount importance for the Federation as well as for their appearance on the world stage of Rio 2016, the new outfits were voted amongst ‘The Best Team Uniforms at the 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony’ by Essence Magazine.

Keeping local, but on trend, the designs of Yakima Daniel of Kiwie Dan Couture, were inspired by the colours associated with the culture and beauty of the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis.

It was a dream come true for Yakima who said, “I felt really honored when SKNOC approached me to design their outfits for the Olympics Opening Ceremony. The opportunity came along at the time when I was designing my Patriotic Line to be released for this year’s Independence Day in September, so it was easy for me to come up with a fabulous design for our delegation that said something about St. Kitts & Nevis but which was also trendy.”

In designing the outfits, Yakima focused on a tailored white base shirt for both men and women adorned with the strong green madras, yellow, red and black colours of the National Flag defined on the inside collar, the yoke, the short sleeves and on the front of the shirt. Both male and female team members wear the same button-down fitted shirt paired with brown trousers and brown shoes. The whole ensemble is finished with a fashionable panama style hat.

About Yakima Daniel

Born and raised in St Kitts, Fashion Designer, Yakima Daniel is CEO of Kiwie Dan Couture, a company built on innovation, sophistication, and individuality, where all items are made in St. Kitts & Nevis. The kaleidoscopic designs range from casual, then contemporary, up to a more sophisticated style. Kiwie Dan Couture has been recognized not just locally but also internationally.

The St. Kitts & Nevis Patriotic Line will be released during the last week in August and will be available at the boutique Kiwie Dan Couture located on Rosemary Lane, Basseterre in St. Kitts and also on the website www.kiwiedan.com.