All eyes on Rio!

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 5 August 2016

The Cayman Islands is being represented at the Olympic Games being held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil by five athletes competing across three sports.

National record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles, Ronald Forbes will compete in his third Olympics and will be joined by 100m national record holder Kemar Hyman, who will get under the starter’s gun at his second Olympics. Also joining them are debutants Florence Allan (women’s sailing laser radial), Lara Butler (swimming – women’s 100m backstroke) and Geoffrey Butler (swimming – men’s 400m freestyle).

“It means everything in the world to me,” Forbes said of the opportunity to once again represent the Cayman Islands at the world’s largest sporting event.

“It’s a very great feeling not only going for one or two but on to my third Olympics. Some people never get to one Olympics…It’s a tremendous feeling to go out there and not only represent myself but most importantly, the Cayman Islands,” the hurdler added.

Geoffrey Butler, Lara Butler, Ronald Forbes, Florence Allan, Kemar Hyman wearing their outfits for the opening ceremony.

Four years ago in London, Forbes was joined by first-timer Kemar Hyman. Now, Hyman is back for his second go around. “Four years ago, it was a lot different where I was younger but now I’m a bit older and I’m handling things differently. I’m definitely looking for a successful trip in Rio,” the sprinter said.

Lara Butler, who holds at least four national swimming records including in the 100m backstroke, has been on a high since learning of her selection to represent the Cayman Islands in Rio.

“The Olympics is literally the best thing that could ever happen to me. I’ve done a lot of meets leading up to the Olympics like the Commonwealth Games or the World Long Course Championships but to say that I’m going to the Olympics, there’s nothing more I can say [to top that],” she told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

Forbes and Hyman might have each other as support, Lara can top that as her brother, Geoffrey, is also competing in the pool.

“I could get used to that,” replied Geoffrey Butler upon being referred to as an Olympian. “I hoped at the start of the year and throughout the year because the whole goal was to try and qualify. In the last weeks when I hadn’t heard, I started to think ‘maybe not’ and then we got the phone call.”

Also making her Olympic debut is 18-year-old Florence Allan. “I just want to go out there and do my best; prove to them that I can come from a little country and not be as old and experienced as them and just do well,” she said about her 2016 Olympic plans.

Other members of the Cayman Islands delegation in Rio include:

Athletics Team Manager – Tyrone Yen
Athletics Coaches – Joey Scott and Kenneth Harnden
Swimming Team Manager – Bailey Weathers
Swimming Coach – Ian Hulme
Sailing Coach – Raphael Harvey

Chef de Mission – Jennifer Powell
Attaché – Dion Brandon
Physiotherapist – Kristina Bramwell
Press Representative – Jade Webster

Also traveling to support:
CIOC President Donald McLean
CIOC Secretary General Carson Ebanks
Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden

Please check back for stories on the individual athletes and their preparations for Rio.