The Bermuda Track and Field Association President Donna Watson is still trying to adjust to the 5 hour time change in Berlin having just arrived back on the island Tuesday from the 12th IAAF World Championships. Today www.islandstats.com brings you answers to 3 questions we asked Watson.
Q. What was the experience like at the World Games?
A. It was an experience that I will never forget. It was great being in the same location with these great athletes and athletes that I used to compete against and from my error of competition. Witnessing these performances in real life is totally different from watching it on TV. It was also good to mingle with the Presidents, officials and coaches from the different nations. Learned a lot and especially attending the congress with major decisions being made regarding Track & Field (eg. the No false start rule that will be in place next year).
Q. How far in talks did you get with Troy Douglas about assisting Bermuda’s Athletes?
A. Troy and I had some great conversations and I think were we left this is that it would be to our advantage for Troy to be out there in the circuit vs coming back to Bermuda and assisting us from there at this point and time. He introduced me to several coaches, administrators etc. from various countries and we discussed several options that we can look at for our athletes. We will probably see if we can use the Netherlands as a base for some of our athletes to train and compete in the European circuit. We also talked about how we can look at restructuring our set up and including Troy, Nicky and Brian to assist with our growth. We have made a great connection and will continue to communicate. We will also be having a banquet in December and I am hopeful that we will be able to bring Troy, Nicky and Brian home for the banquet and to put on a clinic. Of course all of these ideas I have to discuss with the Board before it is all approved.
Q. In your opinion how far is Bermuda away from winning a Gold Medal in the Olympics?
A. I have to be honest and say that we have a ways to go for a Gold Medal at the Olympics but not an impossibility but one of my initial goals is to get more than 1 or 2 athletes qualified for these big International events. I promised Tyrone that this would be the last time that he will be representing Bermuda by himself. I think once we reach that goal my next goal will be to get our athletes in the finals. Of course after watching Barbados winning a gold medal in the 400m hurdles it is not impossible.
