The head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has praised the CARIFTA Games for its contribution to international athletics.
“Pound for pound, the CARIFTA Games are certainly punching well above its weight. These are relatively small populations and the extraordinary results we’ve witnessed in the last few years have really set our sport alight,” said Lord Sebastian Coe ahead of Friday night’s colourful opening ceremony.
It is the second straight year Coe has journeyed to the Caribbean for the Games.
The four-time Olympic middle distance medallist said international athletics owed much to the Caribbean and the Flow CARIFTA Games, with legendary Usain Bolt, emerging as its biggest star.
“When you look at the quality of contributions from the CARIFTA Games and you look at the seismic impact of those development teams that have gone on to become some of the greatest household names in our sport, you are confronted by one inescapable emotional fact: your history is our history,” he added.
Bahamas’ Minister of Sport Michael Pintard also underscored the Caribbean’s capacity to achieve excellence while speaking at the launch to his country’s record eighth hosting of the Games.
“Athletics is incredible. It builds the character of our young people and teaches them perseverance and discipline . . . .,” he said. (EZS)
