Reception for Team SVG - London

St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Olympic Committee P. O. Box 1644, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 784-457-2970 ~ Cell: 784-533-0869 ~ Fax 784-485-6412 Email: svgnoc@vincysurf.com ~ Website: www.svgnoc.org AFFILIATES: Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling Football, Netball, Rugby, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis Volleyball, Sports Medicine, Special Olympics President: Trevor Bailey, General Secretary: Keith Joseph Treasurer: Jacintha Ballantyne

30 July 2012 NEWS RELEASE SVG Team Reception in London

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines delegation to the 30th Summer Olympic Games in London, England, were yesterday treated to a most pleasant welcome hosted by this country’s High Commissioner the UK, Mr. Cenio Lewis, at the office of the High Commission.

Mrs. Doris Davis, Counsellor at the High Commission was the programme coordinator of the evening’s proceedings. She welcomed the Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne – the first Head of State ever to travel to the Olympics where a national team is participating, the Vincentian delegation to the Games, inclusive of Team Attaché, Mr. Basil Charles, and scores of Vincentian well wishers resident in and/or vacationing in London.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Olympic Committee P. O. Box 1644, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 784-457-2970 ~ Cell: 784-533-0869 ~ Fax 784-485-6412 Email: svgnoc@vincysurf.com ~ Website: www.svgnoc.org AFFILIATES: Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling Football, Netball, Rugby, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis Volleyball, Sports Medicine, Special Olympics President: Trevor Bailey, General Secretary: Keith Joseph Treasurer: Jacintha Ballantyne

Mrs. Davis also entertained the gathering with a poem that involved a brief on each of the participating athletes of the Vincentian team.

High Commissioner Lewis, who accompanied the Governor General to the reception hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II just prior to the Opening Ceremony on Friday last and also at the Opening Ceremony, congratulated the athletes on reaching thus far in their respective disciplines. He urged self reflection and steeling of the wills in order to persevere. He asked the athletes to draw on their own inspiration in order to be successful Sir Frederick Ballantyne, for his part, told the athletes of the pride that all of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have in their achievements thus far and urged them to strive after excellence.

President of the NOC, Trevor Bailey, thanked the High Commissioner and all the Vincentians who braved the weather to be part of the reception. He called on them to support the efforts at home to provide better facilities for our athletes.

Bailey made presentations of the NOC’s history book to the High Commissioner and the Counsellor. He also gave one of the Basil Charles-sponsored NOC watches to Mr. Lewis.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Courtney Williams expressed their surprise at the tremendous support that Vincentians everywhere have given, especially since the Opening Ceremony. He committed the athletes to working more diligently to deepening the culture of sport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The evening also heard a beautiful song rendition from Dr. Vibert Cornwall, in tribute to the athletes.

Charles Chauban of Zamora Global and Ms. Barbara Mercury, of the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Culture, resident in London, both offered words of encouragement to the athletes.

On Thursday, 2 August, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Kenny Anthony, would pay a visit to the Vincentian team in the Games Village.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Olympic Committee P. O. Box 1644, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 784-457-2970 ~ Cell: 784-533-0869 ~ Fax 784-485-6412 Email: svgnoc@vincysurf.com ~ Website: www.svgnoc.org AFFILIATES: Athletics, Aquatics, Basketball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling Football, Netball, Rugby, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis Volleyball, Sports Medicine, Special Olympics President: Trevor Bailey, General Secretary: Keith Joseph Treasurer: Jacintha Ballantyne