THIS WEEK IN NACAC
5 July 2021
Important talks between ANSIN and NACAC
Ongoing discussions between NACAC and the authorities in Miramar responsible for the ANSIN Sports Complex in that city moved to another level when the two sides met again on Wednesday 30 June 2021.
Subsequent to the conduct of the Inaugural NACAC New Life Invitational at the ANSIN Complex on 5 June 2021, NACAC initiated discussions with the authorities aimed at facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations relative to crafting a long-term strategy to help build the sport of athletics in the city.
Discussions focused on the existing athletics infrastructure at the Complex, areas for improvement, the development of an annual athletics calendar of events including training camps, hosting coaches training programmes and hosting athletics competitions.
The hosting of the New Life Invitational (NLI) over the next several circuits that are being developed.
NACAC and the ANSIN authorities have agreed to work towards the formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding and the establishment of an Organising Committee for the next edition of the NLI, in short order.
The next meeting of both parties – NACAC and ANSIN, is scheduled for 30 July 2021.
NACAC Athletes do well at Stockholm Diamond League
The USA’s Ronnie Baker’s 100m (10.03), Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson’s 200m (22.10) and Tajay Gayle’s Long Jump (8.55m), Grenada’s Kirani James 400m (44.63) and Cuba’s Rose Mary Almanzo’s 800m (1:52.28) victories headlined NACAC athletes’ sterling performances at the Diamond League in Stockholm over the weekend.
Many in the Caribbean were pleased to learn of James’ 400m run given that he has been out of competition for some time.
Good performances also came from Deon Lendore (44.73) of Trinidad and Tobago who finished second in the 400m behind James, Canada’s Marco Arop, second in the 800m (1:44.00), Sam Kendricks of the USA (5.92m), second in the Pole Vault, Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria, second in the Long Jump (8.29m) and Kemar Mowatt (48.75) of Jamaica, third in the 400mH. Amongst the women, Shamier Little of the USA was second in the 400mH (52.39), while Jamaica’s Natoya Goule (1:56.44) and Kate Grace (1:57.30) of the USA, took second and third spots behind Almanzo in the 800m. Maggie Ewen of the USA was third in the Shot Put with a throw of 19.04m.
Already committed to competing at the Tokyo Olympics later this month, NACAC athletes showcased their level of preparedness while matching strides with athletes from around the world at the Diamond League.
National Championships have all been completed and athletes are completely focused on targeting specific activities in their final preparations for Tokyo.
Given the restrictions occasioned by the health protocols in Japan, many athletes have opted to engage themselves sin training camps is different parts of the world before heading to Tokyo just ahead of the start of the athletics competition.
NACAC Congratulates member Federations
The leadership of NACAC congratulates our member federations on their efforts to host National Championships and Olympic Trials so that they could each be adequately represented at the Tokyo Olympics in the leading sport for individuals, Athletics.
Over the past several months, member federations of NACAC have led the world in confronting the challenges confronting athletes in their preparation for international sport competitions in the face of the Covid-9 pandemic.
According to President, Mike Sands, “it is a tribute to the tremendous commitment of our member federations that they have been able to put in place athletics protocols derived from several sources and individual initiatives that have satisfied the governmental health authorities in their respective countries. The athletes, coaches, parents and technical officials have shown great resilience in the face of the challenges, refusing to yield. Instead, they worked together to show that our sport thrives in all environments. Challenges make us stronger”.
Evidence suggests that particularly for small nations, athletics is the first sport to be represented on their national teams.
Interestingly, the IAAF (now World Athletics) had responded to NACAC’s push for representation at World Championships and Athletic sin the Olympics to guarantee a place for one male and one female athletes from each member country, regardless of standards. Swimming followed athletics’ lead back then.
World Athletics has since rescinded the aforementioned practice, leaving many of the smaller federations with only one athlete at the competition, regardless of standards.
Swimming has nonetheless continued the practice.
NACAC expects our athletes to do well in Tokyo, continuing a trend that has become the norm on such grand occasions.
We congratulate all our member federations and wish them the very best in Tokyo.
Around NACAC
BAH
Men’s national javelin record holder Keyshawn Strachan and junior male discus record holder Tarajh Hudson will lead a 30-plus member Team Bahamas to the NACAC U18/U23 Championships that also includes an invitational U20 segment, scheduled for Costa Rica.
At the BAAA National Championships last weekend Strachan established a new national record of 71.62m in the men’s javelin while Hudson established a new junior boys national record in the discus with 55.06m. He also won the shot put with a throw of 15.19m.
High school sensation, 17year old, Lacarthea Cooper, the youngest member of the Bahamas’ 14- member team to the Tokyo Olympics later this month, and Carlos Brown, the top local male high school sprinter, will lead the Bahamas charge in the U18 sprints.
Team Bahamas is a good mix of US-based college and local high school student athletes.
CRC
Costa Rica readies for NACAC Championships
Costa Rica, possessive of one of the strongest economies in Central America, is in the final stage of preparations to host the biennial NACAC U18/U23 Championships, 9 – 11 July 2021. An invitational U20 segment has been added to this year’s edition of the Championships following requests from some member federations.
Costa Rica came forward to host the Championships when did not receive any formal bids from member federations to host the event, given the economic impact of the pandemic on countries of the Area.
Only two weekends ago, Costa Rica hosted the CADICA Senior Championships.
Despite the withdrawal of some member federations because of travel restrictions attendant to the pandemic, NACAC has continued with the event as Costa Rica has been open to the hosting of events for a very long time. There are no restrictions on travel to Costa Rica.
At the time of writing this week’s edition of our NACAC Bulletin, Haiti and Jamaica were awaiting word from Costa Rican Immigration authorities regarding their entry into the country for the Championships. Member federations of both Haiti and Jamaica had earlier sought a waiver of visa requirements from the host nation’s authorities.
NACAC remains hopeful that all issues pertaining to this matter will be quickly resolved to allow the aforementioned teams to be fully represented.
Health protocols in their respective countries have been responsible for the non-participation of the USA and Canada, in the Championships in Costa Rica.
More than 200 athletes are expected to com
JAM
Caribbean and NACAC athletics powerhouse, Jamaica, has named a very strong 56-member contingent to compete at the NACAC U18/U23 Championships scheduled for Costa Rica over the next weekend.
The team, currently awaiting final approval from Costa Rican authorities, includes Christopher Taylor, a former Carifta star athlete who has earned selection to the Jamaican team to the Tokyo Olympics, as well as several upcoming stars attending college in the USA.
Weekly Meetings
Wednesday 7 July
10.00am ECT – Weekly Meeting – Mike Sands, Michael Serralta and Keith Joseph
7.00pm ECT – NACAC Council Meeting
All day – Teams arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica, to celebrate the NACAC U18/U23 Championships
Friday 9 – Sunday 11 July
NACAC U18/U23 Championships
