MARIGOT—The 12th edition of the International Athletics Meet of St. Martin has been officially announced to take place on Saturday, May 7, at the Albéric Richards Stadium, Sandy Ground.
As in previous years, this combined local, regional and international meet is organised by Calvin Bryan from the Speedy Plus Club in partnership with the Collectivité which has supported the event with technical assistance and human resources since its creation.
Bryan noted the event is now inscribed in the French Athletics Federation calendar as well as in the North and Central American and Caribbean (NCAC) calendar. As such the St. Martin event is much better known on the international circuit.
Athletes will be represented from diverse countries including Turkey, USA, Liberia, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Vietnam, Jamaica, and Trinidad. With many visitors coming to the island as well as the teams, the event is seen as giving a boost to the island’s economy and tourism.
Among the international stars are 100-metre world and Olympic champion in the Hurdles Lolo Jones from the USA, 400-metre American and Olympic champion Dee Dee Trotter who participated last year, and closer to home Zharnel Hughes from Anguilla who is a training partner for Jamaica’s Usain Bolt.
“I was very impressed with the kindness of Dee Dee Trotter last year who took the time out to be available for the children,” Bryan remarked, adding her manager confirmed she will be available again.
According to Bryan, Zharnel Hughes is one of the five best world sprinters and has competed in St. Martin before as a boy. He has recorded a time of 20:02 for the 200 metres.
The morning will be devoted to competition for the schools from both sides of the island from 9:00am to 11:00am. The primary schools are from French Quarter, Grand Case, Marigot and Sandy Ground, as well as from the Dutch side. There will be an 8 and under category and a 10 and under category. Teams of eight will be made up of four boys and four girls.
From 2:00pm onwards Juniors in all age categories will be competing over 50 metre, 100 metre, and 1,000metre distances all the way up to 4:00pm and the start of the international heats. The official opening with speeches is at 3:30pm.
Spectators should keep in mind the three international finals to watch; 100 metre hurdles for women at 4:00pm, 100 metre women’s final at 4:20pm, 100metre men’s final at 4:30pm. Heats for different distances will continue to 6:40pm with the 200 metres for international men, the last heat of the day.
Bryan disclosed the budget for the event is 310,000 euros. The Collectivité’s contribution when human and logistical resources are figured in amounts to some 107,000 euros.
Organisers took the opportunity to appeal for more sponsors and businesses to come forward as the funding required has not been fully achieved yet.
The international athletes will be rewarded with prize money and all others with medals and trophies.
For more information or to sponsor the event call Thierry Gombs or Charles Henri Palvair (0590) 29.59.24 or Calvin Bryan (0690) 57.37.62.
