Governor & Sports Minister Wish Island Games Teams Well
IslandStats.com
Athletes due to represent Bermuda at the International Island Games in Orkney this month received a significant boost of encouragement this week, with letters of support and best wishes arriving from both His Excellency the Governor of Bermuda, Andrew Murdoch, and from Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport.
In a further show of support, National Sports Governing Bodies were invited to send representative athletes to Government House, providing an opportunity for them to meet the Governor and receive his well wishes in the International Arena.
Among the notable attendees at Government House was the Games Flag Bearer, Koa Goodchild, a prominent figure in women's football. Also present was the "water bearer" for a traditional Games ceremony, David Leach, a bronze medallist in lawn bowls at the 2023 Island Games and President of the Bermuda Bowls Association.
The event saw a strong representation from various sports, including Bermuda Island Games Association General Secretary, Juanita Blee. Athletes in attendance included Sean Trott and Phillip Woolins from Athletics; David Leach and Jude Barton from Lawn Bowls; Dezirae Darrell and Somer Stephenson from Badminton; a significant contingent from football including Caleb McDowall, Adrian Trott, Koa Goodchild, Symira Lowe-Darrell, and Victoria Davis; golfers Jamie McMillan and Sienna Mosquera; and Brian Darling from Squash.
The strong show of government and community support aims to motivate Bermuda's athletes as they prepare to compete on the international stage in Orkney.
Monday, June 30, 2025
Pressure Still On Singleton as IOC Appoints Chief
IslandStats.com
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced significant leadership changes within its Ethics Commission and compliance department, coming at a time when the organization has raised "serious issues" regarding the governance and finances of the World Olympians Association (WOA).
The IOC's Ethics Commission has appointed Patricia O’Brien as its interim chair, effective immediately. O’Brien, the Commission’s longest-serving independent member, steps into the role following the conclusion of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s second and final term on June 24th. Ban Ki-moon has since been named an IOC Honorary Member.
In a separate but related development, the IOC also announced the appointment of Giuseppe Deleonardis as its new Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), effective July 1st. Deleonardis, who joined the IOC in 2017 and has served as Deputy CECO since 2023, will now oversee efforts to uphold ethical standards, transparency, and accountability across the entire Olympic Movement. He succeeds Pâquerette Girard Zappelli, who was the IOC’s first CECO in 2015 and will remain Secretary of the Ethics Commission.
The name Girard Zappelli will be particularly familiar in Bermuda. As previously reported by IslandStats.com, Pâquerette Girard Zappelli sent a letter dated May 8th, 2025, addressed to all National Olympic Committees (NOC) Presidents and Secretaries General. This letter outlined "numerous serious issues" identified by the IOC regarding the WOA's governance and finances, detailed in an independent compliance and audit report conducted with the WOA's approval. Critically, the letter specifically named the WOA Treasurer, Bermudian Olympian Patrick Singleton, in connection with these concerns.
These new appointments signal the IOC's continued emphasis on upholding rigorous ethical and compliance standards within the Olympic family, particularly in light of the recently highlighted issues concerning the World Olympians Association.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
DeSilva-Andrade Battles for Bronze at Poznan World Challenger
IslandStats.com
Paralympian and current Female Athlete of the Year, Bermuda's Boccia star Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, has concluded her impressive campaign at the Poznan 2025 World Boccia Challenger in Poland. After a dominant performance in the group stages and a tightly contested semi-final, she ultimately competed for the bronze medal.
DeSilva-Andrade faced off against Dora Basic from Croatia in the Bronze Medal match. In a hard-fought contest, the Bermudian went down by a score of 6-2.
Her journey in Poznan began with a sensational run through the group stages, where she won all four of her matches to top Pool A in the BC1 women's division. This included a convincing 5-1 victory over Poland's Kinga Koza, and a decisive 7-0 win against Anna Vacková of the Czech Republic. She then advanced to the semi-finals, where she was narrowly edged 3-2 by Desirée Segarra from Spain.
While a bronze medal eluded her in the final match, DeSilva-Andrade's consistent high-level play throughout the tournament, including reaching the medal round, underscores her status as one of the world's leading BC1 athletes. Her performance adds valuable ranking points and crucial experience as she continues to compete on the international Boccia circuit.
Friday, June 27, 2025
DeSilva-Andrade Battles for Bronze at Poznan World Challenger
IslandStats.com
Paralympian and current Female Athlete of the Year, Bermuda's Boccia star Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, has continued her impressive run at the Poznan 2025 World Boccia Challenger in Poland. After a dominant performance in the group stages, she will now compete for a bronze medal.
Competing in the BC1 women’s division, DeSilva-Andrade went into her final Group A match against Poland's Kinga Koza with an undefeated record, and she maintained that perfect streak. In a strong showing, DeSilva-Andrade defeated Koza 5-1, solidifying her top position in Pool A.
Her excellent group stage performance earned her a spot in the Semi-Finals, where she faced Desirée Segarra from Spain. In a tightly contested match that went down to the wire, DeSilva-Andrade was edged out by a narrow 3-2 margin.
Despite the semi-final defeat, DeSilva-Andrade's tournament is not over. She is now set to face Dora Basic from Croatia in the bronze medal match, where she will be aiming to add another international medal to her impressive collection. Her consistent high-level play throughout the event underscores her status as one of the world's leading BC1 athletes.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Major Dilemma for Bermuda with Overlapping 2026 Games
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's athletes, National Sports Governing Bodies, and the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) are grappling with a significant scheduling conundrum for 2026, as two major multi-sport events are set to overlap on different continents. The Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Commonwealth Games are both scheduled to take place concurrently next summer, presenting a unique challenge for the island's sporting contingent.
This overlap poses a particular dilemma for most National Olympic Committees in the Caribbean, which also function as Commonwealth Games Associations. These bodies now face the unenviable task of deciding how to commit resources and athletes to either one, or potentially both, of these high-profile competitions.
The Central American and Caribbean Games, set to run from July 24 to August 8, 2026, carry special significance. This edition marks the 100th anniversary of the Games, making it the oldest regional multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics. Hosted in Santo Domingo, the Games are expected to draw over 6,000 athletes from 37 member delegations, competing across more than 30 sports, 60 disciplines, and a total of 413 events.
Meanwhile, Glasgow is set to host the Commonwealth Games from July 23rd to August 2nd, 2026. This scaled-back edition anticipates welcoming 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. The programme will feature a more streamlined 10 sports, including six integrated para-sports.
The direct clash in dates means that Bermudian athletes who excel in sports featured in both events, such as athletics or swimming, may be forced to choose between representing their island at a centennial regional celebration or competing on a global Commonwealth stage. Discussions between Centro Caribe Sports and Commonwealth Sport are reportedly ongoing to find a resolution, but as yet, no solution has been announced. This situation highlights the complex logistical and strategic decisions facing sports administrators and, critically, the athletes themselves, as they navigate their competitive futures.
