St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrated its 45th Independence anniversary with a powerful acknowledgement of national pride, honouring a select group of athletes as sporting ambassadors. Among these, middle-distance runner Shafiqua Maloney received special recognition from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who announced her appointment during his Independence Day speech at Victoria Park on Sunday evening.

 Prime Minister Gonsalves praised Maloney, who recently represented her country with distinction by finishing fourth in the women’s 800m final at the Paris Olympic Games. The prime minister described her as an “amazing athlete of exemplary excellence,” applauding her achievements and the pride she brings to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

 In response, Maloney shared her gratitude on social media, thanking the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the honour. “An honour to be named a Sports Ambassador for my country,” Maloney wrote. “To the Hon @comraderalph and the people of SVG, thank you for entrusting me with such a prestigious title. I will continue to represent you with pride and dignity.”

 Alongside Maloney, other athletes were appointed as sports ambassadors, including West Indies test cricketer Jomel Warrican, former national footballer and coach Fitzgerald “John Hinds” King, and national footballer Oalex Anderson. The appointments highlight the country’s commitment to supporting its athletes, who represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the international stage.

 This move is part of a broader celebration of national achievements as St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to honour individuals who embody resilience, excellence, and a strong sense of national pride.

Paris Olympics 800m finalist Shafiqua Maloney was celebrated during a welcome home ceremony at the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, where it was announced that she would receive USD $10,000 in recognition of her outstanding performance at the Games.

Maloney delivered a remarkable performance in the 800m final at the Paris Olympics, finishing fourth with a time of 1:57.66. In a fiercely contested race, Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson clinched gold in 1:56.72, followed by Ethiopia's Tisge Duguma, who secured silver in a lifetime best of 1:57.15, and Kenya's Mary Moraa, who claimed bronze in 1:57.42. Maloney's near-podium finish was a significant achievement, especially considering the financial challenges she faced during her preparation for the Olympics.

The St Vincent Times reported that during the ceremony, Maloney reflected on her journey, expressing gratitude to those who supported her along the way. "This journey was not an easy one, but the support I received made all the difference," she said. With her sights set on further success, Maloney spoke about the road ahead and her aspirations for medals at the 2028 Olympics.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves praised Maloney for her perseverance and announced that the government would present her with USD $10,000 in recognition of her accomplishments and the pride she has brought to the nation.

Maloney's achievements have also earned her a place in the SVG delegation at the upcoming United Nations meeting, where she will accompany Prime Minister Gonsalves as he delivers his speech. This opportunity marks another milestone in her growing profile as a prominent athlete and representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A grand celebration has been planned for Maloney on October 9th, where the nation will come together to honor her accomplishments and contributions to Vincentian sports. Her performance at the Paris Olympics, coupled with her resilience and ambition, has cemented her status as a national hero and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes.