NASSAU, Bahamas – High energy is expected for Sunday’s (10 July) Blue Marlin Track and Field Classic at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium here in Nassau.
The meet, dubbed “Last Chance”, is for athletes and relay teams seeking to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.
Demaris Cash, the meet promoter, commented:
“I expect a meet that is high with energy, a lot of adrenaline, because this is it, you have the last chance to qualify with July 11, the cut off date to qualify for Rio 2016.”
Cash added “these athletes will psyche themselves up and to say, I want to represent my country at the Olympics in Rio.”
The meet will see over 150 athletes from over 16 countries, including Ghana, Jamaica, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Barbados trying to make a final blast.
However, while Jamaica qualified all its relay teams, Cash said JAAA Secretary, Garth Gayle, was very helpful and has decided to send three teams, men’s and women’s 4x100m and women’s 4x400m to help Team Bahamas qualify.
Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and BVI will also have teams be in the relays.
Beijing 2008 100m silver medallist, Richard Thompson and Michelle-Lee Ahye, both of Trinidad and Tobago, are just some of the big name athletes spotted here ahead of Sunday’s meet.
Bahamian 2012 World Junior sprint double champion, Anthonique Strachan, Jamaican Samantha Henry-Robinson, along with Barbados’ teenage sensation, Sada Williams, are also here in Nassau.
Gates open at 3pm, with the first event set to run off at 4pm.
“We are going to give the 4x1s two opportunities to qualify, the beginning and the end, then we go straight to the 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles, then 100m, 400m, 200m, 400m hurdles, 800m,” Cash, a former Bahamas athlete ended.
The triple and long jump events are also on the schedule.