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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The Bahamas will host the IAAF World Relays on April 22 and April 23 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium where world classed athletes will compete for the coveted Golden Baton.
The World Relays, governed by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), will feature some of the best track athletes in the world including recent medallists from the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The IAAF was founded on July 17, 1912 by seventeen national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation.
The Bahamas is the first and only country to ever host the IAAF World Relays. It became the host country of the IAAF World Relays when in 2013, former IAAF President, Lamine Diack, made the decision based on the unique appeal of the country and its people in their role as hosts of a tourism-based nation. The decision was also based on The Bahamas’ rich history in athletics, relays in particular.
Agreements thereafter placed The Bahamas as host of the relays until 2019.
Rosamunde Carey, CEO, IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017, promises an organized event which will live up to the confidence the IAAF has in The Bahamas as a host country.
“We can almost say we are veterans at hosting the World Relays,” said Carey. “We will put the same top notch effort into this year’s relays that we put in relays we have hosted in the past. The Bahamas is at the forefront of athletics and we are going to continue to live up to our reputation as a sporting nation.
“We look forward to connecting with some 700 athletes, showcasing our very own star athletes and of course giving our guests a taste of our beautiful island and our unique culture.”
For the first time, the IAAF World Relays will join the ranks of other IAAF staple events as it becomes part of the IAAF World Athletic Series of events. The Relays is a highly-anticipated event with participation from IAAF Member Federations across the globe. The top 8 finishers of the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m, for both men and women, will qualify for the IAAF World Championships in London is a key incentive for attendance.
The following relay races will be held:
4 x 100m, 4 x 200m, 4 x 400m, 4 x 800m and this year the Relays will see a new and exciting feature in the form of a co-ed 4 X 400 meter race. A junior program with athletes from The Bahamas will be held prior to the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017.
Not only will these games bring good value to the Sports Tourism sector including heads in beds, but it will also bring much economic value by way of temporary employment to many Bahamians and monies spent by our visitors and international athletes who come to enjoy the games.
To volunteer contact Tarahan Mackey at tarahan.mackey@iaafworldrelaysbahamas.com and to sponsor the event contact Sherrell Storr at sherrell.storr@iaafworldrelaysbahamas.com
Bahamian Olympic gold and bronze medalist Chris Brown, has committed to compete.
Rosamunde Carey,
CEO
IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017
April 22 and April 23 will no doubt be toted as two of the most exciting days in the recent history of Sports in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. For the third time, The Bahamas will host the IAAF World Relays having proven itself as a viable sporting nation, clearly capable of pulling off an event that attracts the “who’s who” in track in the international sporting arena.
As CEO of the IAAF World Relays, I look forward to ensuring a seamless production of not only a sporting event, but a touristic event as well. The International Association of Athletics Federation has entrusted us with a precious gem that we have treasured and nurtured since 2014.
To date, The Bahamas is the ONLY country to have hosted this event. Not only should our citizens be proud of this, but our athletes as well because this is a MAJOR source of growth for them. They get to shine on their own turf and at the same time compete against some of the world’s best athletes from countries like, United States, Jamaica, Trinidad &Tobago and African nations like Namibia and Nigeria.
The Bahamas has come a long way in athletics and we continue to make big strides. We came from the days of young Bernard Nottage and Leslie Miller and are now in the era of the Chris Browns and Shaunae Millers. Our athletes continue to strive for the best and as small as our nation is, we are chest to chest with the BIG BOYS at the finish line in every major sporting event around the world.
We are known to walk quietly but to carry a big stick.
As large as those other countries are and as disciplined and famous as their athletes are, they respect us greatly for the contribution we have made towards sports internationally.
The local organizers of these relays are very excited about hosting once again and of course much anticipation is being placed on the performance of our athletes as many of them will be competing for the Golden Baton.
Hosting the relays is a costly venture, therefore we call upon Corporate Bahamas to give and give generously to ensure that international standards are met and kept. The good lord loves a cheerful giver and so do we. When we talk about Corporate Sponsorship we look at the bigger picture which shows that we will once again be hosting the World Relays in 2019 AND we have a reputation to keep intact.
Concluding I will say, let’s prove that it’s BETTER in The Bahamas. Let’s host our guests with the best form of courtesy and hospitality, but when we get on the track, let’s RUN IT LIKE WE MEAN IT.
Join the Relay. Cheer on Your Team. Passion is for Champions. Champions live at 242
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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