Saint Lucia's Rising Sports Stars Withdraw from Pan Am Junior Games

In an unexpected development, two of Saint Lucia's standout youth athletes will not be competing in the upcoming Pan American Junior Games, slated for August 9-23, 2025, in Asunción, Paraguay. Joy Edward and Khailan Vitalis, who were set to represent the island in shot put and 110m hurdles, respectively, are both national record holders, marking a significant disadvantage for the island’s athletic aspirations. Reports suggest their withdrawal is due to university mandates requiring them to report during the Games, jeopardizing their scholarship eligibility. Edward is enrolled at Troy University, while Vitalis has committed to Clemson University for the 2025–2026 academic session. The Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA) expressed their support, highlighting the importance of balancing sports with academic obligations. They thanked both athletes for their commitment. Meanwhile, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) indicated they were unaware of challenges faced by the athletes prior to the announcement. Nonetheless, Saint Lucia will still be represented by table tennis players Manie Eleuthere and Joshua Lubin, who aim for gold.