The Hon. Glenn Blakeney, JP, MP, Minister of The Environment and Sports today commended the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) for their successful bid to host the 2012 CARIFTA Games in Bermuda.
Minister Blakeney said: “I am thrilled to announce that Bermuda will once again host the CARIFTA Games. The last time we hosted the games in 2004 was hailed a tremendous success by organizers, participants, coaches and visitors. And who can forget seeing the young Usain Bolt light up our local track at the National Stadium when he was just 17 years old setting a junior world record in the 200 metres in a time of 19.93 seconds which still stands today. Perhaps we will see the next track and field superstar grace our shores in 2012.
“The BTFA are to be commended for having the vision and the courage to host the event again, especially during these difficult economic times and more importantly during an Olympic year. This means that our promising young athletes will have an opportunity to showcase their talent on local soil whilst striving to qualify for the Olympic Games which will be held in England. As Minister I can assure the BTFA and all sports fans in Bermuda that the Government will do all it can to ensure that CARIFTA will be a success and the perfect launching pad for the Olympic Games.”
Minister Blakeney also noted that the island’s sporting scene will be busy in the coming years as Bermuda is also hosting the 2013 Island Games.
Bermuda has been involved with CARIFTA since its inception in 1972 and it has been held in Bermuda in 1975, 1980 and 2004.
At the 2010 CARIFTA Games held in Cayman from April 3 – 5, 2010, Bermuda came home with 11 medals, three silver and eight bronze.
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