CAC team settling in

AFTER SOME initial challenges associated with accommodation and flights, the Barbados contingent is settling in ahead of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.Glyne Clarke, operations manager of the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) told NATIONSPORT in an interview on Saturday that he had been in constant contact with chef de mission Craig Archer and things were starting to settle down.“They had some challenges in terms of the availability of rooms because it doesn’t appear that the rooms were ready when they got in,” Clarke said.“Like most games, you get these logistical problems at the start, but they seem to even themselves out after a few days.”Clarke said Archer also had to ensure the various teams were settled in the correct venues – there are three different athletes villages in Puerto Rico – and were getting ready for last night’s opening ceremonies.The squash team, which is in Bogota, Colombia, has already settled in and are reportedly getting ready to compete.More than 250 athletes and officials will be representing Barbados at the games which continue until August 1. Clarke said the largest number of Barbadians would be present between July 20 and 24.With the staggered programme, athletes will be leaving everyday until Thursday, with the first contingent expected back home on Saturday.“We have a different contingent leaving everyday. They are going out based on their technical meetings,” Clarke said.“The competition starts on different days, so we have been sending them in three days before.”Barbados will be represented in 22 disciplines. Archery, equestrian, rhythmic gymnastics and karate have one competitor each. There are two competitors in women’s beach volleyball, the triathlon and weightlifting.In between, teams like tennis, taekwondo, fencing, judo, boxing, athletics, squash, badminton, sailing, swimming, table tennis and cycling range from four to six competitors.Among the larger teams, shooting has 13 athletes, while volleyball (24) and hockey (31) have both male and female teams.At the 2006 games, Barbados won 19 medals.