New 50m freestyle World Record holder Jordan Crooks and his teammates are set to receive a hero’s welcome as they return to the Cayman Islands following their stellar performances at the just-concluded World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest.

Crooks, now a two-time world champion, delivered a masterclass in the 25-metre pool, as he broke the world record twice before securing gold in the 50m freestyle final with a time of 20.19 seconds.

His remarkable achievements—highlighted by a breathtaking 19.90-second clocking to become the first human being to swim that event in sub-20 seconds—have solidified his status as a national sporting hero and a global force in swimming.

The 22-year-old, along with his sister, Jillian Crooks, and Kyra Rabess, is scheduled to arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport on Tuesday evening.

Sports Minister Isaac Rankine encouraged the Cayman community as a whole to come out and celebrate the athletes, who have brought a great sense of pride to the island.

“To our community, we invite you to welcome home our athletes,” Rankine said, while revealing that a more formal celebration is also in the pipeline.

“The Cayman Islands government will be hosting an event on Cardinal AvAvenuen Saturday, December 21, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, and we invite you all to attend,” he added.

Ahead of the team’s arrival, Cayman Islands Governor Jane Owen praised Crooks’ historic performance and his part as a role model for Caymanian sport.

“Congratulations to Jordan Crooks on his incredible, world-record-breaking performance at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships,” Owen said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“We are immensely proud to celebrate and support his outstanding achievements, both in the pool and as an ambassador for Caymanian sport,” she noted.

The homecoming festivities are expected to be a moment of pride and celebration for the Cayman Islands, as the community unites to honour Jordan Crooks and his teammates for their outstanding representation on the world stage.