The Cayman Islands Olympic Delegation in their official uniform at the Tokyo Olympics, Japan
Minister for Youth, Sports, Heritage and Culture, Hon. Bernie Bush with Ministry staff show support for Team Cayman at the XXXII Tokyo Olympics
The Minister responsible for Youth and Sports, Hon. Bernie Bush thanked the Cayman Islands Olympic delegation before the close of the Tokyo Games.
This Cayman Islands’ 11-person team included five athletes, the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC) Chef de Mission Janet Sairsingh, managers and coaches.
“Like many Caymanians, I was so incredibly proud of how Jillian Crooks, Brett Fraser, Kemar Hyman, Raegan Rutty and Shalysa Wray represented the Cayman Islands during Tokyo 2020,” said Minister Bush.
“Each gave thrilling performances, which were exciting to watch at the most prestigious athletic event in five years. These were a highly unusual games, which the pandemic not only delayed by a year but which also denied many athletes the opportunity to compete in front of one of the largest live audiences in the world. I look forward to meeting each of the delegates in due course to hear their Olympic stories and express my appreciation personally.”
“I must also thank the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee for its administrative stewardship of Team Cayman before, during, and after the Tokyo Games,” he added.
As well as showcasing the growing talents of Cayman’s younger Olympians, the XXXII Games were notable for the spirited performances of Team Cayman.
Three athletes, all first-time Olympians, earned personal bests. Swimmer Jillian Crooks achieved 57.32s in the 100m freestyle, sprinter Shalysa Wray earned her outdoor personal best of 53.61s in the 400m, while Cayman’s first-ever Olympic gymnast, Raegan Rutty achieved a vault score of 12.133, which is a new national record.
Additionally, Cayman’s three-time Olympians – Brett Fraser and Kemar Hyman had notable races, with the 50m freestyle swimmer coming in a hair’s breadth slower than his 2011 best time of 22.41s; while the 100m sprinter clocked a creditable 10.41s given that he was suffering bronchial symptoms.
Minister Bush also noted that the first-time Olympians gained invaluable experience in top-flight competition, which will help them prepare for the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in November.
The XXXIII OIympic Games will take place in Paris in 2024.
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