Ancient Romans, Kim Lund, left, Nicole Wild and James Bovell
Ron Shillingford
Entering sports people in the
Olympic Games, whether it is the Summer or Winter tournaments, is an expensive
business.
The Government chips in some money,
so does the International Olympic Committee but thanks to the Cayman Islands
Olympic Fundraising Committee, extra funds are generated from private sponsorship.
Cayman hopes to see Dow Travers at
the next Winter Olympics in 2014 following his debut in the Games last month in
Vancouver. Travers was the first Winter Olympian Cayman has produced and to
generate more, plenty of cash has to be raised.
Several times a year the Cayman
Islands Olympic Fundraising Committee organises a fundraising event that
generates tens of thousands.
The next one is on Friday and once
again has a special theme. Rolling the Dice at Caesar’s is at The Ritz-Carlton,
from 7pm-12.30pm.
It has an Ancient Roman Empire
theme and the night will as always be spiced up by local professionals dressing
up as celebrities.
They will be; Hugh Hefner (Truman
Bodden) and the Girls next Door, Ray Charles and Willy Nelson (Larry Cayasso
and Papi Connolly) the Gold Stilettos (a group of well known dancers, including
Mike Brown, Andi of LUCA and Ian Dawson-James).
Truman Bodden stole the show last
time when he came as a boxer.
Centurion guards will be Kim Lund
and James Bovell to ensure no one is fed to the lions.
In the Shadow Bar the Silhouette
Dancers will entertain and guests can dine at Spagos or Nobu, or the Casino,
and enjoy a few games of black jack or poker.
Both casinos could reap grand
winnings like a weekend for two at The Trump International Resort in Florida, a
weekend for two at the NY Palace Hotel’s deluxe executive room, a weekend at
Bal Harbour in Miami, or a weekend for two at Cayman’s Ritz-Carlton . There is
also the High Rollers Poker Run where a 10 ounce gold bar awaits.
All funds raised will go to benefit
Cayman's Olympic hopefuls for the 2012 London Games and the development of
future competitors.
Cayman has been sending athletes to
the Olympic Games since 1976 when Carson Ebanks and Gerry Kirkconnell were the
first to represent these shores, in sailing. Peter Milburn also went as the
alternative.
In spite of Cayman's size the
Olympic Committee's goal is to one day have an athlete return with a medal. Cydonie
Mothersill has come closest, getting to the final of the women’s 200 metres
twice.
Headed by chief organiser Betty
Baraud, the CIO Fundraising team is committed to raising funds to help the CIOC
push ahead in making this Olympic dream a reality. Baraud was inspired to get involved
after her son Stefan competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
Dress code for the evening is Roman
attire or a night in Vegas.
Tickets are available at Baraud
International in Cricket Square, the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee office in
Windward Centre, Smith Road or any committee member.
Baraud said: “I would like very
much for the entire community to support our event. We’ve got the most
fantastic impersonators going on stage to entertain everyone.
“We’ve also got fabulous prizes and
great sponsors. So I hope everyone will buy a ticket. We hope that everyone
adheres to the dress theme of Roman attire or a night in Las Vegas and come and
have fun.”
For more information, e-mail teamcayman@gmail.com or call 323-0939.
Follow us on Facebook at CIOFC Team Cayman
