Coordinator Health Promotion Services and Focal Point for Non-Communicable Diseases, Ms. Ivy George presented a case study on behalf of British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee as part of the Long Term Athlete Development programme for system change. 

Ms. George indicated that the presentation was well received and will serve as a road map for what a vibrant partnership with Government and the Olympic Committee can do.  According to Ms. George, the BVI was one of six countries selected by the Association of Caribbean Olympic Committee to participate in an 18 month Long Term Athletes Development Programme aimed at developing and improving the performance of elite athletes and to improve physical activity in the whole population through physical literacy.

The presentation was made during the 3rd Americas Best Practices Symposium which was held in Miami, June 13-14.  The best Practices Symposium is collaborative effort between the United States Olympic Committee, Olympic Solidarity and Pan American Sporting Organization.

Under this programme and with technical guidance, training and support from Sport for Life Canada, Ms. George said that the BVI Long Term Athlete Development committee was able to integrate physical literacy into the public primary schools’ physical education curriculum and as a component of the chronic care prevention and control programme at the BVI Health Services Authority.

“To build on this foundation,” Ms. George said, “the Ministry of Health and the BVI Olympic Committee and Sport for Life has developed a three year action plan. The BVI Olympic Committee has formed a partnership to improve the health of the population by increasing physical activity across the lifecycle since 2012.”

Ms. George noted that physical activity is one of the four pillars for preventing non-communicable disease.  In 2010 the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to improve physical activity across the globe. In 2016 the International Olympic Committee and World Health Organization extended their commitment to include fighting childhood obesity by promoting physical activity.

In addition to the physical literacy project, the BVI Olympic Committee funds the VI Run/Walk 10,000 Steps Programme and annual Caribbean Wellness Day Workforce Walk/Run event.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.