Ninth Indian Ocean Island Games in Reunion – August 1-9, 2015 |24 July 2015

23 athletes to take part in track & field athletics

Most medals in multi-sports Games such as the forthcoming Indian Ocean Island Games come from track & field athletics and this year 23 Seychellois athletes – 16 men and seven women – will be aiming to win medals of different hue for our nation.

The Stade Paul Julius Bénard in Saint Paul in Reunion will be the host of the track & field events at the ninth Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) and our athletes will compete in 19 events.

Arguably our biggest hope of a gold medal will be no other than high jump specialist Lissa Labiche, who is the defending high hump and heptathlon champion from the 2011 Games.

“I am expecting to win gold in both the high jump and long jump events this time, although I am not too sure we will be able to defend all our medals won in 2011,” said Labiche.

Seychelles won 16 medals – five gold, six silver and five bronze – in athletics at the last IOIG held here in 2011.

Labiche has also said she expects to see other Seychellois athletes win a few gold medals as well during the games.

One young athlete who is hoping to clinch gold for Seychelles is Ned Azemia who will be making his first IOIG appearance.

“The preparations have been very good and we’ve had some good competitions although I could not compete in international events due to school commitment,” said Azemia.

The young sprinter who currently holds two junior records also said he hopes to improve those records and stated that he believes the men’s relay team have the ability to win gold for Seychelles.

The 23 athletes who will represent Seychelles are: Leeroy Henriette (100m, 200m, relay 4x100m, relay 4x400m), Jean-Yves Roseline (100m, relay 4x100m), Dyland Sicobo (100m, 200m, relay 4x100m), Neddy Marie (200m, 400m, relay 4x100m, relay 4x400m), Ned Azemia (400m, 400m hurdles, relay 4x400m), Nelson Tamboo (400m, relay 4x400m), Yannick Magnan (800m, 1,500m), Iven Moïse (800m, 5,000m, 10,000m), Silly Gaylord (1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase), Rennick Belize (race walking), Dean William (shot put, discus, hammer), Ronny Bristol (shot put, discus, hammer), Jude Sidonie (long jump, high jump), Noris Brioche (high jump), Lester Dogley (relay 4x100m), Sharry Dodin (relay 4x100m), Joanne Loutoy (100m, 200m, relay 4x100m), Diane Nioze (100m, 200m, relay 4x100m), Gaelle Dubignon (100m, 200m, relay 4x100m), Lissa Labiche (heptathlon, high jump, long jump, relay 4x100m), Anna Barra (race walking), Debrah Servina (shot put, discus, hammer) and Athina Freminot (triple jump, long jump, relay 4x100m).

Seychelles’ other gold medallists at the 2011 IOIG were Lindy Leveau-Agricole (javelin), William Woodcock (high jump) and Rosie Corallie (shot put – handisports mental).

The athletes will be accompanied by coaches Joseph Volcy, Joseph Adam, Carlos Sanchez, Alexander Rodriguez, Linda Jeanne, Giovanny Fanny and Arthur Agathine.

Technical officials Beryl Laramé and Nelson Renaud will also make the trip to Reunion, while Fabien Belle is the head of delegation.       

Seychelles will also be sending a handisports team in track and field athletics to Reunion. The athletes chosen are Peter Valentin (100m), Richard Sophola (shot put), Ronny Romain (long jump), Steve Ernesta (800m), Cyril Charles (1,500m wheelchair), Angele Fred (100m and long jump), and Marie Antoine Murielle Joubert (200m and long jump).

S. N.