CARIFTA postponed to July

For the second consecutive year, due to the ever-present nature of the coronavirus pandemic, the CARIFTA Games has been moved – this time set for later in the year, July 2-4, still at the Bermuda National Sports Centre in Hamilton, Bermuda. A little over two months before the initial start of CARIFTA, and with COVID-19 still an issue, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) was left pressured to make a decision about the hosting of one of its premier junior track and field events.

NACAC president, Bahamian Mike Sands, said the status of the event was placed in the hands of the membership of NACAC, but cancellation was never on the table. Late last week, they collectively decided to post CARIFTA until July.  

“This is the pre-eminent junior event in our area and certainly one in the world. All of the athletes out of our area of any note would have come through the CARIFTA system,” said Sands to the Caribbean Sports Journalists Association (CASJA). “To postpone the event a year ago was one of the hardest decisions that had to be made in my tenure as president. This was something that was put to the membership and there was overwhelming support to postpone the event and the agreed date is July 2-4.

“We recognize that the situation globally has not changed to an appreciable degree. We took a position from the council perspective that we would take it to the membership of NACAC and get their feedback. We want to be more inclusive of the members. In addition to the decision to postpone it, there is overwhelming support to maintain the standards and quota as is. That is the position of the membership. I am cautiously optimistic that the CARIFTA Games will go on and we are very excited.”

The age parameters for the event will remain the same, under-17 and under-20, meaning athletes who were in the final years of eligibility a year ago will not get a chance to take part in one final CARIFTA Games.

“It is very unfortunate because I am one who does not like to see anyone disenfranchised, but we do have other age championships that fall within the age limit of the affected athletes,” said Sands. “The meet must go on. We all have to fight this pandemic together so let us collectively work to eradicate this menace and get our lives back to normal. We have to pay attention to the rules and protocols. The LOC (local organizing committee) is in constant communication with their government and everything will be laid out for us in terms of the proper protocols to keep everyone secured. We are guided by the protocols put in place by the health authorities in Bermuda. Also, we are building a very comprehensive plan to tackle all possibilities as it relates to COVID.”

This is the third time in the history of the CARIFTA Games that is has been moved from the Easter holiday weekend, and both previous times, it was held in early May. The 49th edition, now set for July 2-4, will be the latest in the year the CARIFTA Games have ever been held.

“Time is running out, and the situation is not improving globally. The NACAC family, the CARIFTA family is affected,” remarked Sands. “There were several options for a date change, and we ultimately decided on July 2-4. I’m optimistic, but it’s cautious optimism. Obviously, what eventually happens will be dictated by the turn of events, but I’m confident the games will go on. I’m happy we’ve arrived at a point where we have definitive dates. I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy.”

The NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships are set for July 9-11, giving athletes who would have missed out on the age eligibility of CARIFTA in 2020 another opportunity to compete among their peers in the region. Be that as it may, the July 2-4 weekend is all about CARIFTA. Teams will arrive in Bermuda on June 30 and depart on July 5.

Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) President Donna Raynor said Bermuda remains committed to the CARIFTA Games.

“COVID is going to dictate what happens, but from a preparation standpoint, we will be prepared. As long as COVID allows us, we will be ready to host the games,” she said. “We created a position paper in which we stated that our preference was moving the games to a later date. That first weekend in July is a good weekend for us. It fits in well with our calendar and our school system. School is out in July. It’s the perfect weekend, and the weather will be great in July, not as cold as in April.”

In a letter to the BNAA, NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph said they are mindful of the challenges of the host country

“[We are] confident of our collective resolve to overcome them [challenges] as we have so often done in the past with other obstacles,” he said. “NACAC stands ready to work with the BNAA to ensure that Bermuda and all of the CARIFTA family enjoy the benefit of another very successful edition of one of the world of athletics’ most exciting spectacles, the annual CARIFTA Games.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the CARIFTA Games – the first time in history the junior regional event was canceled.

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