The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC) is excited to be sending a team of twelve athletes to Guadalajara this month for the XVI Pan American Games. The games will be held from October 14th to the 30th.

The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympic Games. The competition is held between athletes from nations of the Americas, held every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games.

Cayman will be represented in the following four sports:

Athletics:

Michael Letterlough – Hammer Throw

Carl Morgan – Long Jump

Carlos Morgan – Long Jump

Junior Hines – 400m Hurdles

Jon Rankin – 1500m

Swimming:

Shaune Fraser – 100m, 200m & 400m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly

Brett Fraser – 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke & 100m Butterfly

Lara Butler – 100m & 200m Butterfly, 200m & 400m Individual Medley

Tori Flowers – 800m Freestyle

Shooting:

Edison McLean– Trap

Christopher Jackson – Trap

Equestrian:

Jessica McTaggart – Dressage Individual

Accompanying the athletes will be their technical staff with Bruce Blake heading the team as the Chef de Mission.

The Team Manager for Athletics is Michael Nalty and Athletics Coach is Kenrick Williams.

Bethany Cook will be travelling as the swimming Team Manager and Physiotherapist along with Coach Dominic Ross.

The Team Manager for Equestrian is Mary McTaggart, the Groom is Cristhopher De Lara and Jessica’s horse “Ray of Light” will compete with her in her event.

Shooting will be sending Team Manager Kevin Schirn and the General Team Physiotherapist is Al Bartice. The CIOC President Donald McLean and Secretary General Carson Ebanks will also be in attendance, along with family and friends of those participating.

The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) and the Cayman Islands Olympic Fundraising Committee (CIOFC) aided the CIOC in funding the participation in these games, assisting in the cost of accommodation, airfare, outfitting the team and Games pins

The pins for the XVI Pan American Games were designed by local artist Jamie Doak and have been given to the delegation to distribute while in Guadalajara. The CIOC has held on to a few extra, please contact the CIOC if you are interested in purchasing any
for yourself.

The competition schedule of events is still tentative but can be accessed on the official website for the XVI Pan American Games at: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/eng/03_deportes/deportes.asp

Also note that the CIOC now has a Facebook Page where there will be updates with results and pictures throughout the participation in these Games: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cayman-Islands-Olympic-Committee-CIOC/267229396626544