CM LEADS GOVT. CONGRATULATIONS FOR BVI GOLD MEDALLIST
     
     Wednesday, December 11 - Chief Minister the Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal has expressed overwhelming congratulations on behalf of the BVI Government and people to Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games Gold Medallist Mr. Dion Crabbe for his historic achievement at the event last week in El Salvador.
     In a direct letter dated December 10 to the 25-year-old athlete, the Chief Minister said Mr. Crabbe is a ‘testimony of what perseverance, dedication and diligence truly mean. Your record-making feat will certainly not be forgotten as it is indelibly etched in our minds and certainly in the history books of the Territory and the region.' The correspondence was copied to President of the BVI Olympic Committee Mr. Rey O'Neal.
     Noting that with the achievement Mr. Crabbe will be seen as a ‘role model' for young people, Mr. O'Neal encouraged him to continue excelling in sports as well as in academics.
     
     ‘Winning the gold medal in the 100 metres was certainly a great reward for your dedicated hours of training. You have always been an ambassador for the country, but now you have made the BVI's name even greater in the athletic world, and for that we are most grateful. You have made your parents, your family, the BVI Olympic Committee and the Territory very proud,' the correspondence said.
     ‘I congratulate you on behalf of my Government and people of the BVI on winning the gold, and keep up the good work,' encouraged Mr. O'Neal.
     Mr. Crabbe won the 100-metre run at the tournament on December 2, becoming the first BVIslander to win a gold at the Games, held once every four years. This year's event lasted from November 23 to December 7.
     The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) has organised a welcoming ceremony for Mr. Crabbe at 5:30 p.m. today at the Central Administration Building. A delegation will leave the West End Dock with the 100-metre champion for Road Town.
     Meanwhile, Chef de Mission of the 2002 BVI Delegation to El Salvador Mr. Dean Greenaway told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the BVIOC will host an Athletes Recognition Ceremony on December 21 under the Anniversary Tent of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
     
     The ceremony, starting at 6:00 p.m., will feature a PowerPoint presentation highlighting every phase of Mr. Crabbe's 100-metre gold medal run.
     The Committee will recognise BVI athletes who have won medals at CAC Games and other levels of the competition. Members of the CAC and Commonwealth Games delegations will also be introduced.
     The BVI first participated in the CAC Games in Cuba in 1982.
     
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