Lettsome Secures Spot in 2024 Olympic Games
May 8, 2024 | Sailing
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University sailing senior Thad Lettsome will represent the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the Paris Olympic Games after securing a Universality Place. Lettsome will become the first BVI sailor to compete at an Olympic Games since 1996.
"I'm always excited to represent the BVI at any event but I'm now even more excited to have the opportunity to do it on the biggest stage," Lettsome said. Â
On Tuesday, the BVI Olympic Committee received and accepted an official invitation from the Tripartite Commission in collaboration with World Sailing, for the allocation of a Universality Place at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games to BVI's ILCA 7 (Laser) sailor, Lettsome.
"We are all incredibly proud of Thad, knowing how hard he has worked his entire youth career to get to this moment," Tulane Head Coach Charles Higgins said. "To be an Olympic athlete is something that so few people can claim as an accomplishment, and I know this achievement is something Thad does not take lightly. This is well deserved, and more importantly well earned on his part. Thad has a very passionate fan base here with the Green Wave, and we can't wait to cheer him on in Paris!"
The Green Wave senior was one of three sailors eligible for the two available spots for the Universality Place. In April, Lettsome placed 31 out of 61 sailors at The Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France, to edge up his rankings.
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Lettsome has been competing as a sailor for the Virgin Islands since he was six years old and will be joined by one other BVI athlete, Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles) set to compete at Paris 2024.
        
        
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 in France with Paris as the main host city and 16 other cities spread across European France, plus one substitute in Tahiti. The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games will be held on July 26.
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Competition for sailing is set to begin on August 1 and will be hosted at the Bay of Marseille.
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"I'm always excited to represent the BVI at any event but I'm now even more excited to have the opportunity to do it on the biggest stage," Lettsome said. Â
On Tuesday, the BVI Olympic Committee received and accepted an official invitation from the Tripartite Commission in collaboration with World Sailing, for the allocation of a Universality Place at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games to BVI's ILCA 7 (Laser) sailor, Lettsome.
"We are all incredibly proud of Thad, knowing how hard he has worked his entire youth career to get to this moment," Tulane Head Coach Charles Higgins said. "To be an Olympic athlete is something that so few people can claim as an accomplishment, and I know this achievement is something Thad does not take lightly. This is well deserved, and more importantly well earned on his part. Thad has a very passionate fan base here with the Green Wave, and we can't wait to cheer him on in Paris!"
The Green Wave senior was one of three sailors eligible for the two available spots for the Universality Place. In April, Lettsome placed 31 out of 61 sailors at The Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France, to edge up his rankings.
Â
Lettsome has been competing as a sailor for the Virgin Islands since he was six years old and will be joined by one other BVI athlete, Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles) set to compete at Paris 2024.
                The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 in France with Paris as the main host city and 16 other cities spread across European France, plus one substitute in Tahiti. The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games will be held on July 26.
Â
Competition for sailing is set to begin on August 1 and will be hosted at the Bay of Marseille.
Â
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