in Curacao
THE FLOW CARIFTA Games could unearth the next Usain Bolt.
Four-time Olympic Games medallist, Lord Sebastian Coe made that prediction here today after watching the morning session of the Caribbean’s premier junior athletics meet.
“One of the most popular questions I get is where is the next Usain Bolt coming from. I couldn’t answer that question until I came to the CARIFTA Games. If you come to the CARIFTA Games you will find out,” Lord Cole told reporters during a media conference at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.
The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) reckoned the CARIFTA Games were the starting blocks that paved the way for outstanding performances by Caribbean athletes on the international circuit.
“The quality of sport at the international level is dependent on what is happening at the local level, and it is no coincidence that in the 46 years of the CARIFTA Games, the quality and the vibrancy of Caribbean athletics at the international level has grown exponentially,” he pointed out.
Lord Cole, the only man in history to win back-to-back 1500 metres gold medals at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984, lauded telecommunications provider, Flow for their link with the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC).
“What has been established with Flow is nothing short of phenomenal. My eyes have been opened to the quality of the CARIFTA Games,” he said noting this the second year of Flow’s three-year deal with NACAC.
“There is no Caribbean athlete that has graduated to the very highest level of sport that cannot look to the opportunities that the Flow CARIFTA Games has afforded them,” added Cole, who also won silver medals in the 800 metres at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics.
He also congratulated NACAC for establishing its relationship with Flow.
“It is very important there is now a relationship that allows the CARIFTA Games to be seen not just around the region, but across the globe on a number of platforms. This is the future of our sport,” he said. (EZS)
Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), speaks during a press conference at the 2017 Flow CARIFTA Games in Willemstad, Curacao. Looking on is Victor Lopez, President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association. (PR)
