Claflin welcomes its Olympian back to campus

Brandon Valentine-Parris poses with the track team and others on Wednesday upon his return from competing in the Summer Olympics. (Panther photo by Jordan Geddis)

Claflin's track star was given a warm welcome back from competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
Brandon Valentine-Parris was welcomed back by his Claflin track teammates and a few other students as they cheered and held a banner. Valentine-Parris represented his country St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the 400-meter dash.
"I've received a lot of love from everybody," Valentine-Parris said Wednesday.
Valentine-Parris is the first Olympian from Claflin University.
Valentine-Parris earned the spot by invitation from the International Association of Athletics Federations for setting his country's best time (46.11) in the event.
Valentine-Parris had a chance to meet athletes from different parts of the world. He met with American basketball star Carmelo Anthony, American track star Tyson Gay and South Africa's Wayde Van Niekerk, who Valentine-Parris actually raced against.
"I'm proud of him. He worked very hard this summer," Claflin Coach Lincoln London said.