NACAC Athletes Commission creating a voice for the athletes

In its first information session, the NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association) Athletes Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming particularly active, increasing its visibility, and working with all its athletes addressing issues and concerns they may have. The group will strive to make the NACAC Athletes Commission the best in World Athletics (WA).

The session was chaired by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ three-time Olympian Kineke Alexander. She said: “I value my role on the NACAC Athletes Commission as being a direct link between the athletes and the NACAC Council. We’ve moved from a commission that has been hiding in the shadows to now having hosted our first information session. It is important that throughout my role, I work with my commission 

members so that the athletes in the NACAC region can be heard.”

Alexander is the 2015 Pan American Games 400 meters (m) bronze medalist.

“As a member of the NACAC Council, I plan on bringing the issues that matter most in our region,” she said. “As stated in our information session, an important issue is having a viable competition circuit in the NACAC region. We plan on working with the NACAC Council which has been very open to this idea to make this happen for our athletes.”

The WA and NACAC Athletes Commissions gave commitments to working together.

World and Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, of Jamaica, moderated part of the session that featured Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), who readily 

responded to all questions posed by participants. He made excellent use of the opportunity to highlight all the AIU stands for.

“We brought together dedicated athletes of our area who understand the importance and function of the commission and believe that athletes need to know they have a voice within athletics in our region and beyond. This is an athlete-centered group, and we represent all athletes. Athletes should know they have a place to voice their concerns,” said Commission and NACAC Council member Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands, a 2008 Olympic 200m finalist.

Mothersill further stated: “We want to engage NACAC athletes, without exception, in meaningful dialogue on issues important to them as they play their part in building our sport. COVID-19 has taken a lot away from us in terms of competition, but it has also allowed us to reach more athletes on platforms like Zoom. Moving forward, we will be hosting sessions on development, the athletes’ pathway, the new WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code, and mentorship programs – issues we believe athletes want more information on. Having athletes in our discussions and fully engaged in the decision-making processes are very important. They feel fully integrated in our sport when they know that their views matter.”

The session also highlighted the importance of the biennial NACAC Senior Championships, a viable undertaking with the area’s best athletes in attendance. Consideration was also given to working with the NACAC leadership to create an impressive annual area circuit.

Led by Alexander and Jamaican Odayne Richards as Chair and Deputy Chair, the NACAC Athletes Commission is also composed of Michael Frater, of Jamaica, American Jeff Porter, Lacee Barnes, of the Cayman Islands, Allan Gala Acevedo, of Guatemala, Nathan Alexander from El Salvador and Brian Wellman, of Bermuda. As Commission Chair, Alexander sits on the NACAC Council.

Four NACAC athletes are members of World Athletics Athletes Commission. They are Kim Collins, of St. Kitts & Nevis, Canadian Iñaki Gomez, American Bernard Lagat and Aisha Praught-Leer, of Jamaica.

Athletes from the NACAC region usually generate the bulk of the medals at global athletic competitions.

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