Antigua and Barbuda will once again play host to an elite group of internationally acclaimed Olympians as they visit the destination for off-season track and field training.
Leading the delegation is Rai Benjamin, affectionately known locally as “King Ben,” an Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, and widely regarded as one of the greatest 400-metre hurdlers in history. Benjamin, who captured Olympic gold as part of the men’s 4×400-metre relay team and has earned multiple global titles in the 400-metre hurdles, will host his teammates in Antigua from December 26, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
The visiting contingent of eleven elite athletes includes Antiguans Cejhae Green and Joella Lloyd, alongside fellow Olympians and world-class competitors such as Vernon Norwood, an Olympic gold medalist and World Championship medalist who has played a pivotal role on the United States men’s 4×400-metre relay team, and Jasmine Jones, an elite American sprinter and hurdler who recently won silver in the 400 m hurdles in Tokyo, Japan.
Also included in the group are Raevyn Rogers, Shae Anderson, Sammy Watson, Kendall Ellis, and Allie Jones, all accomplished athletes with extensive experience competing at the highest levels of international athletics. The team is led by Joanna Hayes, an Olympic gold medalist and internationally renowned coach, celebrated for both her championship career and her continued impact in developing world-class athletes.
A major highlight of the visit will be a meet-and-greet and training clinic for local track and field hopefuls, scheduled for December 29 at the YASCO Sports Complex. The clinic will provide young Antiguan athletes with a rare opportunity to train alongside and learn directly from Olympic champions and seasoned professionals.
Newly elected President of the Antigua Athletics Association, Mrs. Shawnor Joseph is quite enthusiastic about the upcoming clinic as it presents a major opportunity for athletic development in core disciplines for both Antiguan coaches and aspiring athletes.
Mrs. Joseph stated that, “The Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association is extremely proud to welcome back Rai Benjamin and his Hayestack training team to Antigua & Barbuda.
We view the clinic as an important investment in athlete development and it will have a meaning full impact on our coaches and athletes, this also provides a rare opportunity for our coaches to learn directly from global competitors”.
Reflecting on last year’s inaugural activity, Coach Hayes shared, “Our athletes thoroughly enjoyed interacting with local youth, who were clearly inspired by the Olympians’ stories, presence, and encouragement. The team also shared their experiences across social media platforms, highlighting the beauty of Antigua and Barbuda to a wide audience. I’ve personally heard from many people who were impressed and moved by what they saw of our travels and training experience.”
As the major sponsor of the visit, the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, through its Department of Sports Tourism, emphasized the strategic value of hosting elite athletes in destination. Minister of Tourism, the Hon, Charles Fernandez notes that, “Welcoming world-class Olympians to Antigua and Barbuda aligns squarely with our sports tourism strategy, which leverages high-performance sport to inspire our youth, elevate our international profile, and showcase the destination as an ideal environment for elite training. This visit demonstrates the powerful intersection of athletic excellence, community engagement, and destination marketing.”
The visit further reinforces Antigua and Barbuda’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for high-performance sport, athlete development, and meaningful sports tourism engagement.
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