As the Paris Games wind down, members of the small but notable group of previous Cayman Olympians took time to express their pride in swimmer Jordan Crooks’ performance.
Crooks, 22, who became the first swimmer from the Cayman Islands to qualify for an Olympic final, finished just .08 of a second outside of bronze in the 50-metre freestyle – the closest any Caymanian has come to medalling on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
For Cayman’s Olympic pioneers and the athletes that followed to represent their country at the Summer Games, Crooks’ performance was not only inspiring but also raised the bar for measuring excellence.
Ronald Forbes
“Jordan Crooks, through his incredible Olympic swimming performances at the Paris 2024 games, gave the Cayman Islands a reason to stand united and be proud of our nation’s sporting accomplishments thus far,” three-time Olympian Ronald Forbes told the Compass.
While Forbes set the national standard for the 110m hurdles, he called Crooks the best to ever compete for Cayman at the Olympics.
“Through his efforts, he has now elevated the bar to ‘Olympic finalist’, which is a significant step towards what will one day be Olympic glory.”
Andrew Mackay
Andrew Mackay, the first swimmer to represent Cayman when he competed at the 2004 Athens Games, also weighed in on Crooks’ ‘incredible’ swims at the Paris La Defense Arena.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Jordan. To make an Olympic final is a historic and a phenomenal achievement,” he said, noting that Crooks is still young and came so close to earning a medal.
“He will continue to get stronger and faster and it’s going to be incredible to watch. The entire country should be proud of his accomplishments and excited to see what the future holds for him.”
Raegan Rutty
Hundreds of people united across Cayman at watch parties, one of which was held at the Constitution Hall. Raegan Rutty, who competed as Cayman’s first Olympic gymnast at the Tokyo Games, attended that party.
“I was overwhelmed with pride watching Jordan swim his first race,” she said, adding that she was literally jumping up and down screaming. “I was holding back tears the entire time because I was so proud of him.”
Rutty, who is currently preparing to take part in the Miss Universe Cayman Islands pageant, understands the sacrifices Crooks had to make to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
“Getting to the Olympics is a feat on its own and getting to the finals is a whole other level,” she said. “Watching the Olympics brought back memories of hard work, sacrifice, and having the opportunity to represent your country.”
Kareem Streete-Thompson
Echoing Rutty’s sentiments is long jumper Kareem Streete-Thompson, who has arguably been Cayman’s most famous Olympian, competing in the 1992, 2000 and 2004 Games.
“Congratulations, Jordan Crooks,” Streete-Thompson told the Compass. “I am thrilled to see you make history as the first Caymanian swimmer to reach an Olympic final. Your dedication and talent are truly inspiring, and you’re making the entire country proud. Keep shining and know that we’re all cheering you on.”
While Forbes, Mackay, Rutty and Streete-Thompson are among the athletes who have helped carve the country’s legacy through years of competition, two men hold the honour of being Cayman’s first Olympians, at the Montréal Games in 1976 – the first time the Cayman flag was ever flown at the Olympics.
Carson Ebanks
Carson Ebanks alongside Gerry Kirkconnell became the first to officially compete for the nation at the Olympics.
Ebanks said Crooks and the three other Cayman athletes in Paris – Jillian Crooks, Charlotte Webster and Davontè Howell – no matter their results, will forever be remembered as contributors to the legacy of Cayman at the Olympic Games.
“Jordan has made history and continues to make us so proud,” Ebanks said. “His performances were outstanding. He has a very, very bright future ahead and he has beyond any doubt demonstrated that he has won our greatest respect and deserves our greatest support.”
“We congratulate all of our Olympians and must continue to pursue the Olympic dream that we share with our sporting community and our young athletes, present and future. Citius, Altius, Fortius [Faster, Higher, Stronger].
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