Donna Raynor On Commonwealth Games
Bermuda’s chef de mission Donna Raynor believes the island’s athletes can still savour a memorable Commonwealth Games despite Glasgow staging a scaled-back edition after stepping in as host at short notice.
Taking place from Thursday [July 23] to August 2, the Games will bring together about 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing across ten sports and six para sports.
The programme has been reduced to ten sports, down from 19 at the Birmingham Games in 2022.
Glasgow stepped in to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew because of spiralling costs, staging a scaled-down event using existing venues and infrastructure.
“This is definitely a watered-down version of the Commonwealth Games,” Raynor told Bernews.
“I’m pleased someone took it on, especially at the last moment.
“We need to recognise it’s not the Commonwealth Games we’re used to, but I think the organisers will still do a great job.
“The standard will be high, so for these athletes to have qualified is fantastic.”
Raynor, who also served as Bermuda’s chef de mission at the Birmingham Games, said several members of the team would benefit from their previous Commonwealth experience.
Among those returning to the Games is triple jumper Jah-Nhai Perinchief, who claimed bronze in Birmingham with a leap of 16.92 metres, announcing himself on the international stage in his first season as a professional.
“Jah-Nhai seems to rise to the occasion,” Raynor said.
“He hasn’t had as many competitions as he’d have liked, but I’m sure the big stage will bring out the best in him.
“A lot of venues have been sold out, and they’ve re-laid the surface at Scotstoun Stadium. The swimming pool and velodrome look great, too.”
In the absence of an athletes’ village, competitors will instead be housed in hotels and transported between venues by bus.
Bermuda Team
Athletics
Men: Jah-Nhai Perinchief, Norre Robinson, Nirobi Smith-Mills
Women: Caitlyn Bobb, Sakari Famous, Tiara DeRosa
Para: Jessica Lewis
Coaches/Managers: Marissa Chew, Brian Wellman, Lori Lewis
Track Cycling
Athlete: Conor White [first-time Bermuda representation in Track Cycling]
Coach/Manager: Chequan Richardson
Swimming
Men: Elijah Daley, Jack Harvey, Sam Williamson
Women: Elan Daley, Emma Harvey
Coach/Manager: Rebecca Fairbairn
Team Officials
Chef de Mission: Donna Raynor
Team Leader: Jarita Vickers
Physiotherapist: Aaron Wharton
So happy to learn that Paralympian Jessica Lewis will be racing in these games.