No Carib Games until 2013?
Published: Thursday | December 31, 2009
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
It seems unlikely that the ill-fated Caribbean Games will be staged before 2013, as organisers compete with a congested international sporting calendar to find a suitable date
for the staging of the multi-sport event.
The cancellation took place in June 2009, less than a month before the scheduled start, due to an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as the swine flu.
The event was supposed to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago but was pulled after that country's health ministry expressed concern about the risk of spreading the deadly virus, which had at that point claimed several lives in Trinidad.
At the time of the postponement, officials did not give any indication as to a possible new date for the inaugural staging, but indicated that it was impossible for the games to be held any time in 2009.
More than 2,000 athletes and officials from 26 countries were expected to participate in six sporting disciplines, including athletics, volleyball, boxing, netball, tennis and basketball at the event, which had cost authorities in the region of £20 million.
Possible bid
Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) boss, Mike Fennell, expressed concern that the meet, which was expected to advance the Caribbean Olympic Movement and lead to a possible bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games by Trinidad and Tobago, may not be staged until after the next Olympic Games in London 2012.
"It was important for this year because it was the year after the Olympic Games and it was a quiet year for most games, so that was a good slot. In 2010, it will not be possible at all because it's already crowded with games. So it's already a very packed year so it (Caribbean Games) cannot happen in 2010," said Fennell, who is also chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The Central America and Caribbean Games (July), Youth Olympic Games (August) and the Commonwealth Games (October) are all scheduled for 2010, and a huge portion of the region's talent will be focusing their preparation towards these meets.
Things look increasingly difficult for organisers in the following year, with the World Championships in Athletics and the Pan American Games scheduled.
"The year after the Olympics was very carefully chosen because that's the year with the least amount of other important meets going on," explained Fennell. "As far as 2013 is concerned, that's one way of looking at it. I think the organisers are still trying to find a slot but they have not come to a conclusion just yet as it relates to dates."
Taking heart
Fennell described the setback as a blow for the efforts of regional sporting bodies, after over three years of planning, but took heart in the fact that there are other events taking place to offer competition for the athletes.
"It is a big blow, but we do have a lot of events these days and I also think that it's difficult to find a niche for it (Caribbean Games). That is also going to be a challenge for the organisers going forward," said Fennell.
