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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.”
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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