Construction of the Barbados Olympic Association”s Olympic Centre building began in July 2005 and was completed in just under one year. The building was occupied by the BOA in November 2006 and has now been finally officially opened by the 8th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Jacques Rogge.
The audience of over 300 specially invited guests included six IOC Officials (i.e. President Rogge – Belgium; IOC Executive Board Member and President of both ANOC and PASO Snr. Mario V?zquez Ra?a – Mexico; IOC Executive Board Member Mr. Richard Carri?n – Puerto Rico; IOC Members Mr. Dick Pound – Canada; Mr. Austin Sealy – Barbados and Ms. Nicole Hoevertsz – Aruba), as well as Barbados” recently appointed Minister of Family, Youth Affairs, Sports and the Environment the Hon. Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President, Mr. Mike Fennell – Jamaica and CACSO President, Snr. Hector Cardona – Puerto Rico among others.
After prayers and the blessing of the building by the Anglican Bishop of Barbados, the Rt. Reverend Dr. John Holder, the BOA President Mr. Steve Stoute gave his official welcome to the invited guests. Following brief remarks by IOC Member in Barbados, Mr. Austin Sealy and short addresses by Snr. V?zquez Ra?a and the Hon. Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, IOC President Rogge addressed the gathering and congratulated both Messrs. Sealy and Stoute online slots on their vision and leadership in successfully bringing the building project to completion. After a vote of thanks by BOA Secretary General Mr. Erskine Simmons, Dr. Rogge was joined by the other dignitaries in unveiling a commemorative plague to inaugurate the Olympic Centre.
Other members of the BOA Executive Committee, representatives from the diplomatic community, the private sector, the civil service, and from the Executive Committees of most of the National Olympic Committees in the Caribbean, as well as representatives from the majority of the 31 local National Sports Federations affiliated to the BOA witnessed this unveiling on a big screen and many of them then took the opportunity to tour the Centre, including the new Barbados Olympic Museum and Sports Information Centre on the first floor.
BSRA members are encouraged to visit the museum and the information centre now that they have been opened.
