For only the second time since its inception in 1972, Cayman will host the CARIFTA Games from 3 to 5 April.

All-star cast
The games are a showcase of youth athletic talent in the Caribbean. Many of the top names in international athletics first made their mark at these games – names like Usain Bolt and Cayman’s own Olympians Cydonie Mothersill. Ronald Forbes and Kareem Streete-Thompson.
 
In fact, so important are these games that the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Lamine Diack of Senegal, will be attending the event in Cayman.

Competition
The competition will take place over three days, from 3 to 5 April at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex with competition in two age groups – under 17 and under 20 for men and women.
 
In order to qualify, participants are not allowed to turn 17 or 20 in the year of competition.
According to Evelyn Rockett, co-chair of the local organising committee, 25 of the 26 countries who can participate in the event have already confirmed attendance.
 
“Even Haiti is competing in these games, and that shows you the resilience of the human spirit. It is such a wonderful meet I don’t think anybody would want to miss it,” she says.

Cayman’s CARIFTA history
Cayman has a rich history in the competition ever since the first team was sent to the 1979 games.
 
Kareem still holds the long jump records for the under 17 and under20 divisions.  Cayman also hosted the event in 1995.
 
“It took us 15 years to bring the games back here, and it will probably take us another 15 for the simple fact that there are more Caribbean countries now with tracks in their countries,” says Evelyn.

Local impact
With a home crowd behind them, much is expected of Cayman’s athletes.
 
“It is probably going to be their most important meet over the next few years, because they are going to see what it really feels like to have a crowd behind you,” says Evelyn.
 
The event will also cause an influx of athletes and supporters, which is sure to give the local economy a boost.

Athlete growth
The biggest impact is on the development of the athletes.
 
“It teaches our athletes in the region to live together, to work together for a period of five days and to compete fiercely but at the end of it they are all friends and lifelong friends most of them.
 
I think that that can only open our athletes’ eyes to the different types of cultures that we have – there is tolerance, there is appreciation,” says Evelyn.
 
Keep up with CARIFTA coverage on www.caycompass.com and in the Caymanian Compass, sponsors of the event.   WH