Saint Lucia will be hopeful of achieving youth athletics glory at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games, scheduled to take place in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 9 to 23.
With over 4 200 athletes from 41 Pan American Sports member countries expected to participate, the four representatives of Fair Helen across various disciplines are keen to deliver a remarkable account of themselves.
At a press conference held on Thursday afternoon at Olympic House, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee officially presented its delegation for the Under-23 Games. Among the track athletes is Clemson University student-athlete Khailan Vitalis, who will compete in the men’s 110m hurdles. Vitalis is the current national record holder in the event, having set a time of 13.83 seconds at the Jo Meaker Classic in Texas earlier this year.
Joining Vitalis is field athlete Joy Edward, who will compete in the women’s shot put. Edward, who also participates in the hammer throw, competes at the collegiate level for Troy University (USA) while majoring in Criminal Justice. She currently holds the national shot put record with a throw of 15.31 metres, set in May 2024. The athletics team will be coached by Terry Finisterre.
Saint Lucia will also be represented in table tennis, with participation in the men’s team competition. Manie Eleuthere and Joshua Lubin carry the hopes of the Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association, striving to be among the best when they compete at the SND Arena (Sports Secretariat) in central Asunción.
Eleuthere is a former Caribbean Under‐13 champion and the current Independence Day Classic Senior and Under‐19 champion, while Lubin is a former National Under‐19 champion (December 2024) and has delivered strong performances at regional championships. The table tennis team will be coached by Christopher Wells.
Monica Dudley will serve as Chef de Mission for Team Saint Lucia. Ahead of their departure, Dudley expressed her confidence, stating that she is “confident each athlete will strive for excellence” as they seek to make their families and nation proud.
During the inaugural Junior Pan American Games, four years ago in Cali-Calle, Colombia, Saint Lucia earned just one medal, bronze in men’s ICLA 7 sailing through Luc Chevrier, now a two-time Olympian. Michael Joseph made the men’s 400m final. He would go on to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games as well.
Jayhan Odlum-Smith was a third athlete from that team who went on to make the Saint Lucia team for Paris 2024, whilst Mikaili Charlemagne was a Tokyo 2020 Olympian. The nation was also represented in men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball.
A gold medal at these Games will earn the athletes direct qualification for the next Senior Pan American Games, scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru, in 2027.
