Katura Horton-Perinchief, the Olympic diver, is thrilled to have been appointed as Bermuda’s chef de mission for the Youth Olympic Games that start on Saturday in Nanjing, China.

“I have represented Bermuda on so many occasions as an athlete but this is the first time going as an official, and I could not be more proud,” Horton-Perinchief said. “It is definitely an honour and a privilege.”

Perinchief admits that being chef de mission is no easy task.

“It’s so hectic and I definitely have a lot more respect for the people who volunteer their time to make sure that the elite athletes get off to these Games,” she said. “It has been like that day in, day out and the people at the Bermuda Olympic Association have been working so hard to make sure this goes off without a hitch.

“I have done the travel arrangements for them, room allocations, uniforms and made sure everything is neat and tidy so that when the team arrives they are just ready to go and they can focus on training and getting on that medal podium.”

Representing Bermuda at the Games are track and field trio Kyra Scraders, Jahnai Perinchief and Kionje Somner, triathletes Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith, swimmer Jesse Washington and sailor Ceci Wollmann.

Perinchief is optimistic that Bermuda’s athletes will do themselves and the Island proud.

“I don’t think they could be more prepared than they are right now,” she said.

“They are so good and so prepared so I’m looking forward to a really amazing showing from them.”

Perinchief has urged Bermuda’s young athletes to make the most of what promises to be a wonderful experience in China.

“This is really serious and they are going to have an opening ceremony in front of an entire stadium of fans and will be behind their flag dressed in Bermuda gear,” she said.

“If they are not pumped after this I don’t really know what will. But I think they are going to take this opportunity and run with it — I really do. This is the entire world and they are right in like Flynn.”