BVI Names 11 for Glasgow 2026
Commonwealth Sport BVI announced an 11-member athletics team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 13, 2026. Adaejah Hodge will carry the flag while Jaleel Croal will bear the King’s Baton, which was decorated for the Virgin Islands by local artist Desiree Smith.
Commonwealth Sport BVI (CSBVI) officially announced on Monday, July 13, 2026 that 11 athletes and a team of coaches and support staff will represent the Virgin Islands at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026, said the territory is sending seven track and four field athletes to compete on the new state-of-the-art track at Scotstoun Stadium when athletics competition begins on July 27. "We are taking one of the strongest athletics teams the Virgin Islands has assembled for the Commonwealth Games," Chapman said, noting the mix of experienced competitors and first-time Games athletes.
Track athletes named to the team are: Adaejah T. Hodge – Women’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Women’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29) Beyoncé A. Defreitas – Women’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Women’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29) Rikkoi A.R. Brathwaite – Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) Jaleel N.
Croal – Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Men’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29) Wanyaé Belle – Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Men’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29) Kaelyaah Liburd – Women’s 400m (Round 1 – July 28) Deya Y. Erickson – Women’s 100m Hurdles (Round 1 – July 30) Field athletes named are: Khybah Dawson – Men’s Long Jump (Round 1 – July 27) Djimon L.
Gumbs – Men’s Shot Put (Round 1 – July 29) Chantel E. Malone – Women’s Long Jump (Qualifying Round – July 31) Kimberly A. Smith – Women’s Long Jump (Qualifying Round – July 31) Adaejah Hodge was named flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony, while Jaleel Croal will carry the King’s Baton into the arena.
The baton will be uniquely decorated for the Virgin Islands by local artist Desiree Smith, who will travel with the delegation courtesy of Premier and Minister of Finance and Tourism Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Several team members are Commonwealth Games debutants: Hodge, Croal, Belle, Liburd, Dawson and Smith.
Malone returns to Glasgow after finishing fourth in the long jump at Glasgow 2014 and fifth at Gold Coast 2018. Brathwaite, Defreitas and Gumbs made their Games debuts at Birmingham 2022. BVI Athletics Association President Steve Augustine praised the squad’s form, highlighting strong performances at the NACAC Championships and on the international circuit.
Penn acknowledged logistical challenges this year, including an overlap with the Central American and Caribbean Games, and thanked national federations and organisers for collaboration. The full delegation, which includes coaches Jean Carlos Arroyo, Michael Heimerman, Winston Potter, Karene Hodge and physiotherapists Thomas Jepperson and Sofie Slider, will arrive in Glasgow ahead of the Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2026.
Approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are expected to compete across 10 sports. The Virgin Islands has now participated in nine Commonwealth Games since 1990 and has secured two championship medals in the 400m hurdles by Kyron A.
Primary source: VINO