Cayman: FINA 50M Freestyle World Champ’s ORIA Welcome

Grand Cayman – Monday, 19 December 2022 – The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage (MYSCH) organised an official welcome for FINA Men’s 50M Freestyle World Champion Jordan Crooks today.

The 20-year-old from Prospect stepped onto the tarmac at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) this afternoon following a two-day journey from the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, in time for Christmas.

Currently studying Business Supply Chain Management, the University of Tennessee sophomore swam into the history books on Saturday with a time of 20.46 in the 50M Freestyle.

Earning a gold medal this a first for the Cayman Islands at the World Championships (for both long course and short course).

Joining the Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush in this historic welcome was the Hon. Premier G. Wayne Panton, Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Premier Hon. Christopher Saunders, Minister Hon. Sabrina Turner, Parliamentary Secretaries Ms Heather Bodden and Mr. Isaac Rankine and Deputy Speaker Mr. Dwayne Seymour. Other senior government officials, as well as a host of enthusiastic supporters, welcomed Crooks home, many wearing Cayman colours and waving the national flag. 

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage is hosting a public reception in honour of Crooks later this week. The event takes place at Heroes Square on Wednesday, 21 December 2022, 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm and will feature a meet and greet opportunity with the swimming sensation, including an autograph signing session.

For more pictures of Crooks’ most recent triumph: visit MYSCH’s Facebook and Instagram pages.