The Virginia Beach Sports Center (VBSC) is not just a state-of-the-art facility— and it’s not just the “Home of State Championships”, as mentioned in other posts, it’s a platform for some of the world’s greatest athletes.
The premier sports venue has hosted numerous high-profile events, attracting athletes from around the globe, including these four incredible Olympians. All who made their presence felt at major events in Virginia Beach, before standing out on the world stage.
Grant Holloway
A Local Hero Making International Waves
Grant Holloway, a gold medalist at the Paris Olympics from Chesapeake, has a special connection to VBSC. Each year, the Grant Holloway Holiday Indoor Track & Field Invitational is held at this venue, drawing approximately 3,000 athletes. This event is a testament to Holloway’s influence in the track and field community and his commitment to nurturing local talent.
Event Highlights
- City: Chesapeake
- Event: Track & Field
- Competitions at the Olympics:
- He clocked a blistering 12.98 seconds to win his heat. He advanced to the finals as the fastest qualifier, along with three other American runners. To top that, Holloway, who ranks number one in the world with a personal-best time more than a tenth faster than any other competitor, won gold at the finals with an incredible 12.99-second race.
Thea LaFond
Dominica’s Triple Jump Queen
Thea LaFond, who recently won the gold medal in the Women’s Triple Jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is a dual citizen of Dominica and the United States. She had the best jump in the world this year on February 2 at VBSC before winning the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on March 3. LaFond’s remarkable achievements in the triple jump have not only elevated her status as an elite athlete but also highlighted VBSC’s role in hosting events that attract world-class talent.
Event Highlights
- City: Dominica/USA
- Event: Triple Jump
- Achievements: Paris 2024 Olympics gold medalist, World Indoor Champion 2024, 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist
Quincy Wilson
The Youngest Olympian Making History
Quincy Wilson made headlines as Team USA’s youngest male track and field Olympian at the age of 16 years old. Although now based in Bowie, Maryland, Wilson has strong ties to Chesapeake, having attended middle school there. He had a record-breaking performance at the VA Showcase in January at VBSC, where he nearly broke the U-18 world record for the 500m. He clocked 1:01.27– just 0.02 seconds under the record.
Event Highlights
- City: Bowie, Maryland (childhood ties to Chesapeake)
- Event: Track and Field (4x400m relay)
- Competitions at the Olympics:
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- Aug 9 at 5:05 a.m. (4x400m relay)– Quincy Wilson was the lead leg of the 4x400m relay team that finished third in the heat to auto-qualify for the finals. While he didn’t compete in the final round, the American team took gold, so the 16-year-old athlete will also receive a gold medal!
Keturah Orji
The United States Triple Jump Star
Keturah Orji, a standout performer for Team USA, finished second at the East Coast Invitational on February 2nd at VBSC. With a string of impressive performances, including a fourth-place finish at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a seventh-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Orji has solidified her reputation as one of the top triple jumpers in the world.
Event Highlights
- City: United States
- Event: Triple Jump
- Achievements: Three-time Olympic finalist, East Coast Invitational runner-up, Eight-time NCAA Champion, Six-time World Championships participant
The Virginia Beach Sports Center is a sports venue and a hub for excellence, attracting Olympians who inspire the next generation of athletes. From Grant Holloway’s annual invitational to Quincy Wilson’s record-breaking runs, Thea LaFond’s historic jumps, and Keturah Orji’s elite performances, VBSC continues to be a premier destination for top-tier sports events.
Ready to witness history in the making? Visit the Virginia Beach Sports Center and experience world-class athletics up close.
