MARIGOT—European champion Libania Grenot from Italy emerged the stand- out international female sprinter on Sunday after winning her 200 and 400 metre finals late Saturday afternoon in the Albéric Richards Stadium.
Her performance earned her a special award at the dinner at Le Beach Hotel that evening, presented to her by organiser Calvin Bryan.
The international events starting at 4:00pm with professional athletes from numerous countries participating proved to be a fitting and crowd-pleasing finale to the 12th International Athletics Meet organised jointly by the Speedy Plus Club and the Collectivité.
Grenot stopped the clock at 23:23 for the 200 metres, denying Gloria Hooper (24:08) also from Italy in the other final, and clinched the 400metres in 51:52. Hooper however won the 100 metres in 11:88.
The Men’s 100metres was won by Dominican Republic’s Yancarlos Martinez in 10:49 and he also won the 200metre final in 20:49, beating his own personal record and is now a potential Olympics qualifier for his 
country.
The 200 metre final, the last event of the day, was what the crowd had been waiting for as in the line-up with Martinez and USA’s Aaron Earnest was Anguilla’s hero, Zarnel Hughes.
Hughes looked to be on course to win helped by the roar from his supporters but he stumbled face first just before the finish line, his momentum carrying him over. He was unhurt but had to settle for second place in 20:62.
“I really don’t know what happened there,” he said in disgust afterwards.
Curacao’s Liemarvin Bonevacia won the 400 metres final in 46:29 ahead of Gustavo Cuesta (DR) 46:40 and third placed Peter Mathew (46:56) from Jamaica.
Local favourite Pink Shakeeba from the Dutch side won the 1500 metres in 4:55:89 while Avenir Sportif Club’s Lisa Coquillas easily won the 2000 metre walk in 12:28:27. Her efficient walking style was no match for Lea Liandrat, also from the same club, who was around two minutes behind finishing in 14:56:38.
The Men’s International Long Jump competition was won by Jamaica’s Demar Forbes and for the women by USA’s Jasmine Simmons.
100 metre Hurdles was won by USA’s Tenaya Jones (13:46), USA’s Bridge Owen Mitchell second (13:47) and third Kierre Beckles from Barbados (13:55).
The morning and early part of the afternoon was taken up with competition between the schools and a regional competition between the neighbouring islands. Sports Commissioner Alain Gros-Desormeaux and other elected officials were on hand to present trophies at regular intervals.
Calvin Bryan said he was pleased with the organisation of the event but regretted the strong breeze lasting most of the day did not produce the best times on the track.
He disclosed the anticipated stars such as Double Olympic medallist Dee Dee Trotter, Lolo Jones and Willem Belocian were unable to take part due to injuries and were recuperating.
The meeting was an Olympic qualifier, he added, and as such doping controls were in place. The professional athletes earned appearance fees and also bonuses on the podium.
