In a surprising turn of events, two of Saint Lucia’s premier youth athletes will not represent the island at the Pan American Junior Games, scheduled to take place in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 9-23, 2025. Athletes Joy Edward and Khailan Vitalis were slated to participate as Fair Helen’s representatives in the shot put and 110m hurdles, respectively. This is a major blow to the island’s competitive hopes, as both Edward and Vitalis are national record holders in their respective disciplines.
Reports indicate that their withdrawal stems from the fact that both athletes’ universities required them to report during the period of the Games or risk losing the academic eligibility tied to their scholarships. Edward attends Troy University (US), while Vitalis recently committed to Clemson University (US) for the 2025–2026 academic year.
In an official statement, the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA) indicated that they stand in support of the athletes:
“While their absence is regrettable, the SLAA fully respects and supports the decisions made, recognising the importance of balancing athletic commitments with personal and academic responsibilities. We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr Vitalis and Ms Edward for their dedication to the sport and their efforts in preparing for this significant event.”
An additional statement from the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) claimed that the SLOC had “no previous knowledge of any challenges faced by the athletes” leading up to this announcement, but that the SLOC has since been informed of the circumstances.
The country will still be represented by two table tennis players – Manie Eleuthere and Joshua Lubin – who will carry the nation’s hopes for gold. Panam Sports is a major contributor to the SLOC and the support of Saint Lucia’s national athletes, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Committee annually.
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