By Neto Baptiste
USA’s 400 meters hurdler and silver medallist at both the 2022 World Athletics Champions and the 2021 Olympic Games, Rai Benjamin, is to be appointed Cultural and Sporting Ambassador by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.
The decision was made public via the Cabinet notes issued on September 8, which revealed that Rai was invited to Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting where he accepted the offer.
The son of Antiguans Gale Mason and former West Indies fast bowler Winston Benjamin, Rai is the second international athlete to have been offered ambassadorial roles with Antigua and Barbuda. He joins NBA guard Kemba Walker who, the Cabinet announced in August, will be appointed Ambassador-at-Large.
According to the Cabinet notes, Rai suggested an increased number of coaches, additional tracks that meet the same standard as YASCO, and more track meets — both regional and international — as critical elements that must be in place if improved results are to be achieved.
At the World Athletics Championships held in July this year, Rai clocked 46.89, his fastest time of 2022 to win silver, adding to the 2020 Olympic Games silver he won in Tokyo, Japan.
The athlete represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 2013 World Youth Championships before going on to win a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2015 CARIFTA Games.