This Week in NACAC: NACAC Athletes in amazing celebration

NACAC Athletes in amazing celebration

‘Simply Amazing!!!!’

That just about sums up the general response of participants in the first-ever NACAC Celebration of our Athletes’ Achievements, which was held, virtually, on Saturday 11 December 2021.

The innovative event, organised by the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group was a moving and most memorable celebration of the remarkable achievements of the Area’s athletes in a year when the pandemic continued to wreak havoc across the globe.

For us at NACAC, the tribute paid to our athletes marked due recognition of the enduring power of sport to rise above all adversities.

That our NACAC athletes dominated the athletics component of the Tokyo Olympics and proved yet again our commitment to excellence, was most deserving of the accolades they received on Saturday last.

Kirani James, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Stephen Gardiner, Genevieve Lalonde and Stephanie Ann McPherson, each gave good account, detailing their pathway through to where they are today in the sport. Importantly they each took the time to explain to the 112 participants that included young athletes from member federations of NACAC, the challenges inherent is striving after excellence. These included the pain, the disappointments, the adherence to established training and competition regimens and the sweet taste of success.

Importantly, the athletes explained the critical role played by their peers, especially those from their respective countries, especially when things did not always go well.

The role of the NACAC Athletes Commission in reaching out to them was among the highlights of the presentations of the athletes and featured in their responses to questions posed by the virtual audience.

Also coming in for commendation was the support from NACA, more generally even as some were only just learning about the organisation and its mandate. They could feel the presence of the NACAC membership and the strong desire to ensure that its athletes are a priority and that the Area maintains its dominance.

President Sands’ presentation to the Celebration

“Today is indeed a red-letter day for NACAC. It is a very special, historic occasion in our continuing leadership in the sport of athletics.

“NACAC is extremely proud of the achievements of our athletes and that we are able to celebrate them in a very special way today, with their representative involvement before our membership, is ample evidence of the high esteem in which we hold them all.

“We are grateful of the willingness of seven athletes who are with us today, and who are appreciative of our efforts at recognising them: Shaunae Miller and Stephen Gardiner (Bahamas), Kirani James (Grenada), Stephanie Ann McPherson (Jamaica) and Genevieve Lalonde (Canada). “We are also grateful for those NACAC athletes who have helped our Area maintain global leadership in the sport but who are not here with us today. Their contributions to our successes during the year, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, the Diamond League and numerous World Continental Tour Events.

“Your achievements are a major source of pride for all of us in NACAC, all of our stakeholders. They serve as a source of motivation to our youths to strive after excellence as you have all done in your respective competitions.

“Importantly, as World Athletics President, Lord Sebastian Coe, has commented and indeed, by his very presence here has shown, your commitment and achievements in our sport have positively impacted the entire World Athletics Family.

“We ask that you continue to excel in your respective areas. We ask that you be ever mindful of the numerous ways you impact our youths, the future of our sport. We ask you to continue to engage our fans. We ask that you are always good examples, excellent role models. We wish you continued good health and success in our sport.

“It is important and a most pleasant task, for me, as President of NACAC, to extend our warmest congratulations for all that you have done to keep NACAC at the helm of our sport. I take this opportunity to commend the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group, for its excellent initiative in organizing this event. You continue to do well. Congratulations.

“Congratulations and sincere thanks to all of you, dear NACAC athletes, whether here or elsewhere, to those who have been unable to join us and to those who will hear of this event and share the joyous initiative that it has been.”

 Nicaragua is Ready!!!!!

Nicaragua is ready to host the NACAC Age Group Championships scheduled for 17 – 18 December 2021.