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Five VI Athletes Ready to Compete in China

 Jemille Vialet, Ajai Sweeney, Carlos Rosa, Kohun Eugene, and Jerall Nicholas, and front row from left, coach Ileta Potter, Paige Clarke, Scott McKenzie, and Chef de Mission Ansen Sligar. Not pictured, coach Dino Weber. (Photo provided by USVI Olympic Academy.Five young athletes are in Nanjing, China, to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games, which began with opening ceremonies Saturday.

A news release from Sophia Aubin of the USVI Olympic Academy on the even of the competition highlighted the background of the territory’s five representative.

• Paige Clarke, St. John, has been competing since she was 11 years old. Her first regatta was Scotiabank International Regatta held at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. She has competed in Optimist Class, and is currently in Byte CII, Laser and 420 classes of sailing. She will compete in the Byte CII class at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games. Clarke was the flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Games, which took place Saturday.

• Scott McKenzie, St. Thomas, started sailing when he was five years old and began competing seriously when he was 11 years old. By the age of 15 he had achieved the recognition of being the third best North American Optimist Sailor 2013. McKenzie trains at least two days a week, every week; and leading up to the Youth Games had focused on training five days a week. He will compete in the Byte CII class at the Youth Games.There are 30 female and 30 male athletes in the Byte CII sailing competitions at the Youth Olympic Games. There will be 10 races over four days; the final races are scheduled for Saturday.

Paige Clark practices sailing. (Photo provided by USVI Olympic Academy)• Kohun Eugene, St. John, got his start competing in track when he was in the second grade. He has been hooked ever since. Eugene graduated from Eudora Kean High School this year and has trained there with his coaches almost daily. Prior to leaving St. Thomas for Nanjing, Eugene noted that attending the Summer Youth Olympic Games was a dream. He will compete along with 24 other athletes from around the world in the 200 meter race.

The men’s 200m qualifications will take place on Friday August 22nd; the finals are scheduled for Sunday August 24th.

• Both Carlos Rosa and Ajai Sweeney, both of St. Croix, played indoor volleyball for approximately two years before focusing and competing in beach volleyball. They have remarked that one of the best things about sports is traveling to competitions and meeting new people.

The Rosa/Sweeney Beach Volleyball Team will compete with 35 other teams in the Men’s division. The preliminary games will take place over six days, with the quarterfinals on Aug. 25 and the semi and finals on Aug. 27.

The Team ISV delegation at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games includes a Young Ambassador – Jemille Vialet from St. Croix; three team officials: Jerall Nicholas, beach volleyball coach; Ileta Potter, athletics coach; and Dino Weber, sailing coach. Ansen Sligar is chef de mission.

Updates on Team ISV’s progress at the Summer Youth Olympic Games will be available online at the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/VirginIslandsOlympics.

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