HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Bermuda has been given the thumbs-up by a visiting CARIFTA Games official two months before it hosts the Games, saying the island is ready now to stage the annual regional junior athletics showpiece for a fourth time. Games delegate Alain Jean-Pierre of Haiti, on hand at the National Sports Centre (NSC) on Monday, along with Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney and Bermuda Track and Field Association’s (BTFA) president Donna Watson, to bring everyone up to speed about the progress of the Games, said it was shaping up to be a “great event”.
More than 500 athletes from 26 Caribbean countries, including at least 50 from Bermuda, will compete in the event to be held at the NSC for the first time in eight years from April 7 to 9.
Jean-Pierre and Watson said they were both satisfied with how the final preparations are progressing.
“The facilities are ready for the Games if they were to start tomorrow. We started the visit at the hotel this morning and the track this afternoon,” said Jean-Pierre.
“Congratulations to Donna and her staff for their work so far and it’s setting up to be a great event.”
Watson also praised her support staff for their hard work during recent months.
“I would like to say thank you to all those who are helping in preparations for the Games. The athletes are preparing extremely hard for the Games and will be looking to showcase their talents to not only Bermuda but the world,” she said.
“Our coaches are working diligently to get them in shape, and we are hopeful that we will have an excellent showing from our athletes.”
Blakeney said: “The eye of the sports world will be upon Bermuda as some of the world’s best junior athletes come here to compete.
“The preparations for the Games are on schedule and we have received preliminary entries and we are anticipating over 500 athletes and 100 officials to come to Bermuda when some 26 countries are to compete here.
“Scouts will also be in Bermuda from overseas as they look to recruit athletes for their programmes.
The CARIFTA Games have been held since 1972. When Bermuda last staged the event in 2004, current world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica became the first junior athlete to break 20 seconds in the 200 metres, winning in a time of 19.3 seconds.