 VI Athletes, Summer Olympics 2016 and more.....I don't know what it is...something in the soil, something in the air or something in the water; but the Virgin Islands has a history of producing awesome athletes. Just recently I read of Daryl Homer's fencing victory in the Rio Summer Olympics and the article said he was "Bronx born." I shook my head and wanted to shout He Was Not Born in the Bronx., as though someone could have heard, but being alone at the moment no one would. Darly Homer was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and thus is ultimately of Caribbean descent. Even if he was raised in the Bronx, at some point, clearly this rich cultural Caribbean legacy, must of had something to do with his success. The continental US is not known for its fencing skills, yet this young man was able to achieve this victory. Comparatively speaking, the Virgin Islands is a tiny local. Given this fact, what other US city can boast of the same number, per capita, of nationally recognized athletes? However little is known regarding the heritage of many of our athletes. Since we are a US territory, the mother country gets the accolades. But let us not forget. Here is a small list of some of our more famous athletes. Of course this list is not exhaustive.  Courtesy of www.boxingheaven.com Emile Griffith, Professional Boxer and World Champion
 Courtesy of https://usatjrsportbrief.files.wordpress.com/ Tim Duncan, National Basketball Champion  http://cdn.topps.com/ Elrod Hendricks, Professional Baseball Player  Courtesy of http://webpac.uvi.edu/ Alvin McBean, Professional Baseball Player And so many more: Rakeem Christmas, Basketball Devon Peltier, Basketball Julius Jackson, Boxing Julian Jackson, Boxing Will Tutein, Football Muhammad Halim, Track and Field Tabarie Henry, Track and Field Allison Peter, Track and Field Flora Hyacinth, Track and Field Derrick Smith, Soccer Glen "Kimble" Williams, Basketball Joe Christopher, Baseball Peter Jackson, Boxing Sugar "Ray" Seales, Boxing Calvin Pickering, Baseball AND TOO MANY MORE TOO MENTION....SMALL ISLANDS....BIG RESULTS....something in the soil...something in the air...something in the water...something in our rich cultural legacy....a lot to be proud of :)
Please add to this list anyone who I was unable to mention and share with others. |
