An Olympian – Mind, Body and Soul

Virgin Islands athletes have had many challenges and sacrifices, as well as balancing emotions and focus to perform at the highest level, Olympic Games Paris 2024, Virgin Islands 2016 Olympian, Ashley Kelly shed some light on what it takes to make a great Olympian, the importance of being in a healthy space and building the future of athletics in the Virgin Islands.

BB:  What are some of the difficulties Olympic athletes face when preparing for the games.

 AK:

1. Financial Strain: Competing at an elite level often requires significant financial investment, including costs for training, travel, coaching, and equipment. Many athletes struggle to secure sufficient sponsorships and funding, leading to financial difficulties.  Only about 20% of Olympians have a sneaker or clothing endorsement so we have to rely on other factors for income especially considering it is extremely difficult to train full-time and have a job.
2. Physical Injuries: Dealing with nagging injuries while continuing to train and compete adds physical and emotional stress.
3. Mental Health and Confidence Issues: The pressure to perform at the highest level can take a toll on athletes’ mental well-being. Managing expectations, dealing with setbacks, and maintaining confidence can be a significant challenge.
4. Balancing Life Commitments: Many athletes must juggle their sporting commitments with education, work, or family responsibilities, adding to the stress of preparation.  I was in Grad school at New York University while training for the 2016 Rio Olympics, I was going 16-hour days to manage school, gym and training while commuting in New York City.
5. Isolation and Sacrifice: Preparing for the Olympics often requires athletes to isolate themselves from social activities and make significant personal sacrifices, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and burnout.
6. Dealing with Public and Media Pressure: The spotlight on Olympic athletes can be overwhelming, with constant scrutiny from the media and public. This can add to the mental and emotional burden of preparation.

BB:  Share some details of your experience as a 2016 Olympian.

AK: Competing in the 2016 Olympics was the culmination of years of dedication, discipline, and hard work— a dream I had nurtured for as long as I could remember. Balancing my Olympic journey with grad school at New York University added another layer of complexity. My parents insisted on me having a “plan B,” and education was the condition for their financial support. Juggling both academic responsibilities and rigorous training was isolating, but I was fortunate to have a supportive group of friends who encouraged and pushed me to stay focused on my goals.

Achieving the Olympic qualifying standard was a moment of immense relief and joy. The pressure of training while constantly thinking about the qualification was a heavy burden. Once I secured my spot, a significant weight was lifted from my shoulders.

Being chosen as the flag bearer for my country at the Olympics was one of the proudest moments of my life. Standing on the global stage, representing my nation, was a powerful experience that filled me with national pride.

However, the day of my race brought an unexpected challenge. Despite feeling prepared and confident, another runner, Veronica Campbell-Brown, inadvertently ran into my lane during the race. It was a shocking and disorienting moment—something I had never anticipated. In a 23-second race, every millisecond counts, and the disruption threw me off completely. Not advancing due to an event beyond my control was heartbreaking and left me in a deep state of depression.

The aftermath of that race forced me to embark on a journey of self-care and recovery. It wasn’t easy, but that journey eventually led to a remarkable comeback. I became a World Championship semi-finalist and broke the national record in the 400m—a record that still stands today.

Through all the highs and lows, I learned that resilience, self-belief, and perseverance are key to overcoming life’s challenges, both on and off the track.

BB:  What are some factors that contribute to peak performance for the athletes?

AK:  Peak performance for athletes is achieved through a combination of several factors:

1. Training Programs
2. Mental Resilience: Mental toughness is essential for handling the pressures of competition. Developing strategies to manage stress, maintain focus, and stay motivated can significantly impact performance.
3. Support Systems: Having a solid support system, including coaches, family, friends, and fellow athletes, provides the encouragement and guidance needed to push through challenges.
4. Balanced Nutrition and Recovery: Proper nutrition fuels the body, while adequate rest and recovery allow it to repair and strengthen. Both are vital for sustaining peak performance over time.
5. Goal Setting and Planning: Clear, realistic goals help athletes stay focused and motivated. Strategic planning ensures that training and preparation are aligned with these goals.
6. Access to Resources and Programs: Workshops, programs, and initiatives that focus on athlete development, such as those I help create as Chairperson of the BVI Olympic Committee’s Athlete Commission, contribute to overall success by enhancing the athlete experience and providing the tools needed for growth.

BB:  How important is a healthy routine mentally and physically?

AK:  Very important!! Physical Health of course because your success is directly influenced by your physical fitness. Mental Health: A routine that includes mental wellness practices—such as mindfulness, stress management, and goal-setting—helps athletes stay focused, confident, and resilient. Mental preparation is just as important as physical training in achieving success.

BB:  What do you believe are the greatest challenges most Virgin Islands athletes are facing today?

AK:  I believe the greatest challenges Virgin Islands athletes face today are:

1. Access to Adequate Funding: The financial burden of training and preparing to compete on a global stage is immense. Expecting our athletes to compete against the best in the world without sufficient financial support is unfair. We need to ensure that athletes receive the funding necessary to help level the playing field.
2. Access to Resources: All our elite athletes train abroad because, in the Virgin Islands, we lack adequate resources such as facilities, performance centers, and rehabilitation centers. These are essential for training, recovery, and competing at a national or global level.
3. Motivation: There is a need for more inspiring and motivating environments within the Virgin Islands. We must continue to promote and highlight our local heroes so that the next generation can learn about and become more knowledgeable about the positive icons from our community—not just during major events.

Despite these challenges, the BVIOC, its federations, and now the Ministry of Education, and Youth Affairs are working to level the playing field by funding athletes and creating programs to provide the necessary resources. We need to maintain this trajectory as we witness the emergence of more elite athletes across various sports.

BB:  Looking ahead at Los Angeles 2028, what are some plans being implemented to ensure the Virgin Islands has a strong pool of delegates to prepare them?

AK:  The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee is committed to the continued development and advancement of sports in the BVI. It will maintain and strengthen public and private partnerships to secure funding for our athletes and sports programs. Additionally, the Committee will collaborate closely with National Federations to develop strategic plans and enhance their programs, ensuring long-term growth and success for sports in the territory.

As Chairperson of the BVI Olympic Committee’s Athlete Commission, Ashley serves as the Athlete Representative on the BVIOC Executive Board. She is the liaison between athletes and the board, advocating for athletes’ rights and ensuring their voices are heard. As a past Olympian, she knows first-hand what the athletes are experiencing and draws on her determination, time management, discipline and mental toughness to provide the best support she can offer.  She also develops and nurture a successful environment for the athletes by hosting a number of workshops and various programs, ensuring the athletes can succeed both on and off the field of play.

Kelly recently traveled to Paris in support of the Virgin Islands Fab4, who all represented the Territory well; each making history in the Territory, as a group and in their respective disciplines.   Kyron McMaster OBE and 2 time Olympian, ended 400M Hurdles with a season best 5th place finish in the finals. Adaejah Hodge at just 18 years of age, and the youngest competitor in the 200m, ended her first Olympics with a 17th overall in the semis. First time Olympian, Rikkoi Brathwaite is the first male Olympic 100m semifinalist for the Territory.  ILCA7 Men’s Dingy first time Olympian, Thad Lettsome had a competition best of 2/43 in Race 4.

Being grateful for her athletic career, Kelly now focuses on helping the Territory grow and expand the future of athletics and sports for the next generation.  She is hopeful that for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with the inclusion of squash, we will be able to field squash delegates in the future. She also believes there is significant potential in beach volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball, which could further elevate our presence in these sports.  Support our athletes by Following the BVIOC: IG:@bvioc.   FB: @bviolympiccommittee

As we see a rise in the quality of our athletes, Ashley offer this advice to future Virgin Islands Athletes and Olympians: Stay Committed to Your Vision, Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Health and Surround Yourself with a Strong Support System.

Follow Ashley Kelly:  IG : @ashleynatasha     FB: @ashleykellybvi

Contact us at beyondbeautivi@gmail.com