SPIRE’s Safiya Prasad and Zion John-Baptiste Represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Youth Olympic Games

From the track to the pool, two SPIRE Academy student-athletes are representing the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. The Games run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 13 and mark the first Olympic sporting event held on the African continent.

Safiya Prasad, a SPIRE Class of 2028 hurdler from St. Croix, is entered in the 400-meter hurdles. She brings international experience to Dakar, having previously represented the U.S. Virgin Islands at the CARIFTA Games and the NACAC U18 and U23 Championships.

In the pool, Zion John-Baptiste is taking on four events, racing the 50- and 100-meter backstroke and the 50- and 100-meter freestyle.

Congratulations to Safiya and Zion on representing the U.S. Virgin Islands on the Youth Olympic stage. Your SPIRE community is cheering you on!