BVI Celebrates Hodge's Historic Gold
Adaejah Hodge was honoured in the British Virgin Islands after becoming the territory’s first female Commonwealth Games gold medallist, winning the women’s 200m in Glasgow. Government and sports leaders praised the 20-year-old’s achievement and highlighted the wider progress of Team BVI at the Games.
The British Virgin Islands this week paid tribute to Adaejah Hodge after her landmark victory at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the 20-year-old became the first female athlete from the territory to win Commonwealth gold. Hodge captured the women’s 200-metre title in 22.07 seconds after setting a Commonwealth Games record of 22.01 in the semi-final.
Her performance capped a successful campaign for Team BVI, which fielded 12 athletes at the Games. BVI Olympic Committee Second Vice-President Ashley Kelly highlighted the significance of the results and the growing strength of the territory’s sprint programme. “These results do not happen by accident.
They come from partnerships,” Kelly said, noting that for the first time four BVI sprinters — two women and two men — advanced to the 200m semi-finals. Kelly also praised the spirit within the squad. “We had a young BVI team, but we had a team that felt like family. And most importantly, they showed up for the BVI,” she said.
BVI Athletics Association President Steve Augustine pointed out that Hodge was the youngest competitor in the women’s 200m. Augustine clarified that the government’s cash award programme could not apply to Hodge because she competes under National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules.
Hodge thanked residents for their support and used her platform to encourage young people. “Just knowing that the BVI team, the BVI fans were rallying behind us the whole time was just amazing,” she said. “To the youth, I would encourage you guys to not give up on your dreams. It’s going to be a lot of hard times, but that’s where you focus on you, lean on your parents, lean on your coaches, lean on your support group.” Education Minister Sharie DeCastro noted the historic run of success for Virgin Islanders at recent Commonwealth Games: Kyron McMaster won the men’s 400m hurdles in 2018 and defended his title in 2022, and Hodge’s triumph continues that three-Games golden streak.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley paid tribute to the network of family, coaches, teachers, the BVI Athletics Association and the Olympic Committee for their roles in Hodge’s development. “Our athletes are our national treasures,” he said. “She belongs to the entire Virgin Islands. And everybody, everybody should be proud of her success and get behind her.” Local leaders said Hodge’s success underscores the returns from investment in sport and the importance of continuing support, pathways and partnerships so more young Virgin Islanders can pursue athletics at the highest level.
Primary source: BVI News