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Legislature of the Virgin Islands Finance Committee St. Thomas, USVI, US Virgin Islands 00802 June 22, 2026 Dear Honorable Members of the Finance Committee, My office has submitted all the necessary reports and attachments. The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (VIOC) thanks the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Legislature for the appropriations we have received in the past. Each year our member Federations submit annual plans with budgets that total more than two million dollars. The VIOC remains committed to supporting our athletes in their training and in representing the Virgin Islands in international competitions. Government funds are critical for the VIOC to continue providing support to our 25 member Federations, as well as to our elite athletes. Our operating budget for the past two years has been over $1,000,000 per year. Because of limited resources, we must carefully review and prioritize funding requests from our member Federations. Our operations and requests have increased, and we anticipate increasing support staff during the next fiscal year. Therefore, we respectfully request an appropriation of $550,000 for Fiscal Year 2026 to 2027 from the Government of the Virgin Islands to support athlete development, Federation programs, international competition participation, and the administrative operations required to maintain the Virgin Islands’ standing within the international Olympic community. Virgin Islands athletes have been training and competing in many sports in hopes of qualifying for the Junior Pan American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Beach Games (CAC), the Youth Olympic Games, Lima Pan American Games and the LA Olympic Games. The VIOC has continued to financially support our elite athletes through training grants as they prepare for qualification events and major competitions. We also provide financial assistance to our Federations to support athlete participation in competitions and training. Federations have used VIOC support to send coaches for further training. Athletes currently receiving assistance compete in Archery, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Boxing, Fencing, Golf, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis, and Track and Field, as well as team sports including Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball. In addition, the VIOC has recently established several committees to strengthen governance and program development, including committees focused on athlete development, fundraising, and strategic planning to support the continued growth of sport in the Virgin Islands. Fiscal Year 2026 Goals The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee continues to advance the Olympic Movement in the Virgin Islands by supporting athletes, strengthening national sports Federations, and promoting community engagement through sport. The following outlines the VIOC’s financial goals and priorities for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2026, including major event participation, development funding, and strategic projects that reinforce the role of sport across the territory. Olympic Month In alignment with our mission to develop, provide, and protect the Olympic Movement through physical and educational programs that promote “Sport for All,” the VIOC is celebrating this June as Olympic Month. Activities included Olympic Day on St. Thomas, and will include an Olympic themed Kidsville next weekend on St. Croix. We expanded participation in Olympic month to include additional Federations at our events. At Magnes Bay, we had Swimming, Archery, Olympic Weightlifting, University Sports and Chess along with a fun run. The community can expect next weekend at Kidsville to include Triathlon, Swimming, Soccer, Equestrian, Boxing, Archery, Tennis, Sailing, University Sports and Track and Field. VIOC Golf Tournament The VIOC Golf Tournament was held on June 14th this year. It is our largest fundraising event and is held annually at the Buccaneer Golf Course in St. Croix. Funds raised go directly to athlete support. VIOC Game Delegations Bringing our athletes to International Games is an essential function of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee. Here is what we have participated in during this fiscal year and have planned for the near future: The 2026 Winter Olympic Games were held in Milan - Cortina from February 6 to 22. The VIOC planned to send a delegation that included athletes competing in women’s alpine skiing (Downhill and Giant Slalom) and skeleton. Unfortunately, after all the hard work and commitment, our athletes failed to qualify at the last minute, and the Virgin Islands was able to send a delegation. Virgin Islands athlete Katie Tannenbaum represented the territory in skeleton at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. 2026 FIBA Women’s Centrobasket Championship – July 13 to 18, 2026 in Managua, Nicaragua. In November 2025 the Virgin Islands women's team took home gold from the 2025 FIBA Women's Caribbean Championship in Guyana. This summer, they are defending that title at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Centrobasket Championship. FISU America Games - July 20th to August 1st 2026 in Lima, Peru. Track and Field, Men’s Basketball, and Triathlon will all travel to compete in these global Games for University students. The 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from July 24th to August 8th. The VIOC plans to send athletes to compete in Archery, Beach Volleyball (men’s and women’s), Boxing, Fencing, Sailing, Softball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis, Track and Field, and Triathlon. At the last edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2023, Team Virgin Islands achieved historic success by earning gold medals in both Archery and Women’s Basketball, a testament to the growing strength and talent of our national athletes. The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13. The VIOC will send a delegation of athletes to compete in Swimming, and Track and Field. International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) World Championships - 2026 November 4-14th 2026 on St. Croix. The Virgin Islands Sailing Association (VISA), in partnership with the VIOC, will host the 55th ISCA (formerly known as Sunfish) World Championships. The event will welcome approximately 146 sailors from 18–20 countries, with 73 competitors in the Female/Masters/Youth World Championships and 73 in the Open World Championship. The championships will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Pan American Games in both the male and female ISCA divisions. The 2027 Pan American Games will take place in Lima, Peru from July 23 to August 8, 2027. The VIOC plans to send athletes to compete in sports including Archery, Volleyball, Boxing, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Triathlon. Federation Support Federation support remains our largest annual expense. We assist Federations in athlete identification, grassroots programming, clinics, training for officials and coaches, national events, team travel, and other initiatives. Each Federation is responsible for the development of its sport and plays a vital role in the Olympic Movement and sport development in the Virgin Islands. For the current fiscal year, October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, we have already provided $364,955.33. Many requests are still pending for senior and junior athlete development ahead of the CAC Games, Youth Olympic Games, and regional championships. Elite Athlete Support Most of our elite athletes attend university in the United States, where they have access to high level coaching, training facilities, and competitive opportunities. However, balancing full time academic or employment commitments with demanding training schedules can significantly impact their ability to train, recover, and perform at the highest level. For this reason, the VIOC provides training grants to support athletes with living, training, and coaching expenses. We strive to support as many athletes as possible, recognizing that financial assistance plays a critical role in helping them reach their full potential and achieve results at the international level. Currently, the VIOC provides approximately $9,000 per month in direct athlete scholarships to athletes preparing to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. VIOC Office To meet our obligations to the Federations, athletes, and international and local regulatory bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee maintains a staffed office with two full time employees located on St. Thomas. The office serves as the administrative hub for Olympic related activities in the territory, ensuring coordination, compliance, reporting, and support across all programs. In addition to day to day operations, we invest in the professional development of our staff by providing training opportunities and supporting participation in international meetings, seminars, and workshops. These initiatives help strengthen administrative capacity and improve operational effectiveness through the use of tools developed by the International Olympic Committee for sports administration, financial reporting, athlete services, and governance. Establish a Permanent VIOC Office – 2026 The VIOC is currently in the design and development stage of a new multi-sport facility that will house the permanent VIOC office and also serve as a FEMA approved shelter during emergencies. We have secured a $400,000 grant from Panam Sports to support this project. This is the same project previously presented to your body, and we sincerely thank you for the support you have provided as we move forward with its development. All necessary documents have been submitted to FEMA and issues related to access during disasters are currently being addressed with the assistance of VITEMA and VIHFA. The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee appreciates the continued partnership of the Legislature and the Government of the Virgin Islands. Your support allows our athletes to pursue excellence, represent the Virgin Islands in international competitions, and inspire young people across our islands through sport. The VIOC remains committed to responsible stewardship of public funds and to strengthening opportunities for athletes and Federations throughout the territory. Respectfully submitted, John Abramson Jr. President, Virgin Islands Olympic Committee