Elite Athletes
The Elite Athlete Programme is a National Programme funded by the Cayman Islands Government, through the Ministry of Sports. The Programme provides financial assistance to Caymanian athletes who pursue a professional career as an athlete representing the Cayman Islands. The programme supports athletes in their preparation for international competition once they have attained the qualifying international ranking in their sport discipline determined by the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee.
The Elite Athlete Programme is currently inactive but will be one of the objectives of the newly appointed National Sports Commission to revamp and will also form part of the National Sports Policy and Strategic Plan which is currently in its early stages of development.
To date there have been 9 Caymanians who have been assisted through the Elite Athlete Programme. The Ministry of Sports looks forward to assisting our Elite Athletes once this programme has been relaunched. Any athlete interested in being a part of this programme, please contact the Ministry of Sports.
Previous Elite Athletes
Kareem Streete-Thompson
Kareem Streete-Thompson, three time Olympian who represented the Cayman Islands in both the long jump and the 100 metres. He was awarded the Austin Sealy Trophy for the most outstanding athlete of the 1989 and 1990 CARIFTA Games. He competed in seven World Championships and was the first athlete to win Pan-American and Caribbean and Commonwealth titles for the Cayman Islands.
Kareem's personal best was 9.96 in the 100 metres and 8.63 metres in the long jump.
Currently he is an Associate Head Coach for sprints, jump and relays at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). On August 16, 2022, Kareem was also inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.
In the words of Kareem "If you have a gift, the worst thing you can do is try to avoid it".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbzjSqwfDx4
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/kareem-streete-thompson-14173235
Jon Byron Rankin
Jon Rankin was Cayman's only middle and long-distance competitive runner in the Elite Athlete Programme. He won the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships at 1500 metres and the 2007 Emsley Carr Mile in England. He is the 1500M and one-mile record holder for UCLA and the Cayman Islands.
In 2015 Rankin was inducted into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame by the National Black Marathonoer's Association.
He is now the founder and CEO of Go Be More, a noted public speaker who encourages others to never stop chasing their dreams.
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/jon-rankin-14249142
Charles Whittaker
Charles Whittaker is Cayman's first ever world champion boxer with 43 knocks out, 16 losses and 2 draws. He has won a few championship belts at light middleweight and rose on the world chart, getting as high as the No. 2 IBF junior middleweight. He fought and lost to big-name fighters Mikkel Kessler in Denmark, Gabriel Rosado and Demetrius Hopkins. He contended for the No. 1 IBF Junior Middleweight title with an impressive performance representing his country.
Charles Whittaker vs Gabriel Rosado for No. 1 IBF Junior Middleweight Title
Ronald Forbes
Ronald Forbes is a three time Olympian who represented the Cayman Islands in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. He is the current national record holder in the Cayman Islands and the Florida International University for the 55, 60, and 100 Commonwealth Games, NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
In 2017, Ronald was awarded the honor of having the Football Stadium in his home district of North Side being renamed to the Ronald J Forbes Playing Field in the same year he was recognized as a National Sports Hero in the Cayman Islands.
Ronalds message to aspiring athletes "The trails you encounter in your career will introduce you to your strengths, remain steadfast and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential".
His favourite quote to live by:
If you can't fly, then run.
If you can't run, then walk.
If you can't walk, then crawl but by all means, keep moving.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/ronald-forbes-14173244
https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/01/14/a-conversation-with-ronald-forbes/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=708469219724061
Kemar Hyman
Kemar Hyman is a 3 time Olympian who is the current 100 metre national record holder. He has competed for the Cayman Islands as an elite athlete since 2012. Kemar has also competed in the Commonwealth Games, and World Athletic Championships.
"To all upcoming athletes, there will be times where it will be impossible, giving up will be very easy. However I am here to let you know it's ok to feel that way because I also felt that way most of my professional career. The thing that kept me going was consistency and with consistency I saw results and with results I competed again & again for my country as an ambassador. Greatest quote thus far "it Has to work, or it Has to work" only two options".
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/kemar-hyman-14173243
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=213328846289329
Cydonie Mothersill
Cydonie Mothersill is a former track and field sprinter. She has represented Cayman in four Olympics from 1996 to 2008, six world championships and three Commonwealth Games. She is also Cayman's first World Championship bronze medalist. Mothersill has completed in the 100M, 200M and 400M and was awarded the Austin Sealy Trophy in the 1996 CARIFTA Games. Her personal best were in the 100M of 11.08s and 200M of 22.39s.
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/cydonie-mothersille-14266914
Michael Letterlough
Michael Letterlough was a part of the Elite Athlete Programme in the area of the hammer throw. His track and field roots stemmed from Shot put and Discus throws.
His standing achievements are being the current record holder in Cayman in the Hammer throw of 62.54m and the Discus throw of 45.36.
He represented the Cayman Islands internationally from 2005-2011 and won 4 silver medals over the period at the Island Games.
His favourite quote: "Procrastination is the theif of time..." Edward Young.
His inspiration message to upcoming Elite Athletes:
"Your physical talents will not develop to their full potential if you lack the mental fortitude to pursue your dream of becoming an Elite Athlete. Surround yourself with people that will inspire, life you up and fully support your dream. Be proud of who you are, where you've come from, OUR country that your represent and display this in all that you do.
It will be tough, you will cry, you will bleed, but know this! It will get easier, those tears will become tears of joy and the blood you bleed will be from the heart of a Caymanian champion!"
https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/cayman-islands/michael-letterlough-14173239
Shaune & Brett Fraser (Fraser Brothers)
Shaune Fraser is a former competitive swimmer who represented Cayman at three Olympics, silver medalist at the Pan American Games and was the flag bearer at the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics. He received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida and earned 27 all American accolades in his four years as a Gator swimmer making history for Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020 and has since founded his own law firm, "Fraser Immigration Law" based in Miami Beach, Florida.
Brett Fraser is a three time Olympian and won the gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in the men's 200-meter freestyle. He also attended the University of Florida and was the 47th UF student-athlete in history to be awarded a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) postgraduate scholarship. He has worked at several top real estate investment firms in New York managing investment portfolios worth over $500 million.