Bermuda Olympic Association president Peter Dunne has been inspired by the island’s showing at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay.

Punching above their weight, Bermuda athletes came away from the event with three medals after sailor Sebastian Kempe and sprinter Caitlyn Bobb both earned silver and Olympic swimmer Jack Harvey secured a bronze.

That represented an improvement on the inaugural Junior Pan American Games, which was held in Colombia in 2021, when cyclist Kaden Hopkins brought home Bermuda’s only medal when finishing third in the time-trial.

“We had three medals, which is huge compared to the first edition when we only had one, so that’s great,” Dunne told The Royal Gazette.

“I think the individuals who medalled felt that they were capable of doing that, but you never know on the day.

“We are definitely making a mark and, presuming there is a third edition of these Games, we can focus on getting some more athletes in there and more athletes competing in the top end of their events.”

Bermuda also narrowly missed out on two medals in the archery competitions when Robin Selley and Jaydon Roberts finished fourth in the recurve mixed team, with Roberts also denied a spot on the podium after finishing fourth in the men’s individual recurve.

“The archers finished fourth in two of the events which is amazing and being just off the podium in both the men’s individual and mixed team event was fantastic,” Dunne said.

“We had two weeks of great participation and I think all the athletes had a great experience at a highly competitive event.

“It’s not a kiddie event and I think the junior name is a bit of a misnomer because these athletes are competing at high international levels.

“It’s a highly competitive event and the organisers did a great job, the venues were great and I think everybody had a super experience.”

Dunne also praised Bermuda’s chef de mission David Thomas for his tremendous contributions working behind the scenes at the Games.

“We had a fantastic chief de mission in David Thomas, who was really great; kept the team together and took care of everybody,” Dunne said.

The curtain came down on the Games last Saturday with Bobb and golfer Oliver Betschart receiving the honour to serve as flag bearers during the closing Ceremony.

“It was such an honour to be a flag bearer for Bermuda at the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games with Caitlyn,” Betschart said.

“Walking out on stage with our flag in Paraguay was an experience I’ll never forget. I am really thankful to the Bermuda Olympic Association and the Bermuda Golf Association for giving me that opportunity.”