Cayman’s Youth Olympians arrive in Singapore
(CNS): The Cayman Islands team taking part in the Inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics departed from the Owen Roberts International Airport on Tuesday. The Games, which commence on the 14 August in Singapore, marks the first time that the event will be held and it will also give athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age the immense opportunity to hone their skills and win medals for their country. The Cayman Islands has a team of 3 athletes in Singapore in their hopes of bringing back some medals. They are accompanied by President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Donald Mclean. (Left: Lara Butler with her Carifta gold medal in Jamaica)
In theaquatics field, the team will be managed by National Swimming Coach Dominic Ross, who will be managing Lara Butler (women’s 100m backstroke and women’s 100 m butterfly) and Seiji Groome (men’s 200m breaststroke and men’s 200m individual medley). In sailing, Cayman’s own Elizabeth Wauchope will be contending as well, although she was a last minute entry. Cayman’s three talented trio will hone and contest their skills against the world’s best athletes of the same age.
Cayman has strong hopes in our aquatics athletes as Lara Bulter and Seiji Groome were strong medal producers at the Carifta Games. Lara comfortably won the girls 15-17 finals at Carifta in Jamaica; her finals time was 4 seconds faster than her previous best. Seiji Groome took bronze in Jamaica after placing 3rd in the 200 meters breaststroke.
The athletes arrived safely in Singapore this morning (Thursday 12 August) and are currently getting ready for their events. Lara Butler describes Singapore as “a different and unique country”. Butler added, “I think everyone will have to adjust to the gum ban as well.” Gum is illegal if chewed in Singapore and there is a large fine for those caught chewing gum.
The aquatic events commence on the 15th at the Singapore Sports School — the venue for all aquatic events up until the 24 August.
For all sailing supporters, Lizzy Wauchope races on the 17 August at the Singapore National Sailing Centre.
For more results and coverage, visit the Youth Olympics website.
Cody Stafford (15) is a CNS summer intern.
Category: Sports
Im an NOC assistant for the Cayman Islands team in the YOG. I think they are a bunch of really nice people :).
Go, Go Cayman!
Best of luck to our athletes.
Having sat through hours of swim training and having to get up at unholy hours of the night to get the swimmer there all I can say it good luck, make the rest of the squad and us suffering parents proud.
It would be nice if Cayman 27 could get the tv clips if there is any.
Nice work, Cody Stafford 🙂
Am also surmising that this is a little bit of journalism via Facebook with Lara and Seiji. Great use of social networks in journalism, 2010 style ! Look forward to hearing more.