IT IS TIME that the Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB) give consideration to indoor performances.
While the AAB keeps outdoor records, there are none for indoor performances, and former council member Michael Jules says such records have become increasingly important as Barbadian athlete Akela Jones could potentially break the world junior indoor record in the pentathlon.
Jones, 18, who is on scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University, posted 4 194 points in her first ever pentathlon last weekend. It is 342 points off breaking the 4 535 set by 2004 Olympic gold medallist Carolina Kluft in 2002. It is also among the top 12 marks in the pentathlon this season.
Jules, a former CARIFTA Games coach, said if Jones improved her performances in the 800 metres, long jump and shot put, she could potentially break the mark and should be given the opportunity to do so at the World Indoor Championships, which will be held in Sopot, Poland, next month.
He said that based on his research, 1984 Olympian Elvis Forde was the last Barbadian to compete at the IAAF championships in the late 1980s.
“If you want to encourage all of the overseas-based athletes to put them at that level indoors, we shouldn’t say we are not keeping records,” Jules said.
“Over the years, the association has not used indoor performances as qualifiers for CARIFTA and other meets and I think some consideration should be given. Depending on where you are and you don’t have the opportunity to run an outdoor meet before CARIFTA – if it comes early – what do you do? Leave them out?” he queried.
The world’s leading performance is 4 656 points, while St Lucian Makeba Alcide, 23, is sixth on the list with 4 246 points. (SAT)
Comparisons
Carolina Kluft (Sweden) 4 535 points – 60 metres hurdles (8.42 seconds), high jump (1.90m), shot put (14.93), long jump (5:83), 800m (2:17.28).
Makeba Alcide (St Lucia) 4 246 points – 60m hurdles (8.47 seconds), high jump (1.79m), shot put (11.81), long jump (5.68), 800m (2:17.78).
Akela Jones (Barbados) 4 194 points – 60m hurdles (8.49 seconds),
high jump (1.86m), shot put (12.19), long jump (6:11), 800m (2:39.62). (SAT)
