Kyron McMaster Honoured with OBE for Exceptional Contributions to Sports

Kyron McMaster has been bestowed with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by His Majesty The King, recognising his remarkable contributions to sports in the British Virgin Islands.

At the tender age of 21, McMaster clinched the British Virgin Islands’ inaugural Commonwealth Games medal, securing the gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Games held in Gold Coast, Australia. This triumphant moment unfolded in the aftermath of the devastating 2017 hurricane, which not only wreaked havoc on homes and livelihoods but also claimed the life of McMaster’s coach and mentor, Coach Xavier “Dag” Samuels.

Undeterred by the challenges posed by the hurricane, McMaster has gone on to achieve significant milestones in his athletic career. He has claimed victory in the Diamond League on two occasions, secured another gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and earned a silver at the 2023 World Track and Field Championships in Budapest—marking the first-ever medal for the British Virgin Islands at this prestigious championship event. Notably, McMaster also made history as a finalist, securing fourth place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games despite the adversities imposed by COVID-19 restrictions. During this event, he clocked a National Record time of 47.08.

Beyond his athletic prowess, McMaster dedicates his time to giving back to the community. During visits to his homeland, he actively supports and inspires young individuals, drawing on his own experiences growing up in Tortola to impart valuable life lessons. Additionally, McMaster champions grassroots sports, collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Sports to ensure that these initiatives receive the necessary investment.

In response to the prestigious honour, McMaster expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is truly an honor to receive this award. This was not anticipated or expected, but I am filled with gratitude to the people of the BVI who have recommended and continue to support me on this journey of my life. To represent the BVI has always been my dream, and this award illustrates the gratitude of my country and the wider UK family that, as an individual, no matter how small the territory, we can make a significant contribution and be recognized for such. To my fellow athletes, I can assure you that my reach is but a small step compared to where you can go, and now that this door is open, I implore you all to continue to promote the BVI in a positive light but also to recognize that the sky is truly the limit with real commitment and dedication.”

His Excellency Governor John Rankin CMG expressed his delight at McMaster’s well-deserved recognition, stating, “I am delighted that this award has been made in recognition of Kyron’s outstanding achievements and unparalleled service to the Virgin Islands. With his two Commonwealth Gold Medals and World Champion Silver medal, Kyron has placed BVI on the sporting map across the world and given cause for national celebration even in some of the most challenging times in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricane. Off the track, Kyron continues to inspire, using his own experience to motivate young students and athletes. I offer my warmest congratulations to Kyron.”