Some of the world’s top track and field athletes are set for the inaugural Cayman Invitational meet at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Wednesday.
They include 2011 world 100 metres champions Yohan Blake and Carmelita Jeter. More than 80 professional athletes, many of them world championship medallists and Olympians, will compete in 11 track and two field events, starting at 5.30pm. Other world renowned athletes here include Novlene Williams-Mills, Chris Brown, Dylan Armstrong and Kim Collins.
The meet was put together by Cayman’s track ace Cydonie Mothersill who is so widely respected in the sport that colleagues jumped at the chance to support her. She will race in the 200 metres in her first event of the year as preparation for the London Olympics in July.
Cayman Invitational is sponsored by the Government, DART, Cayman Airways, DMS Broadcasting, LIME, the Department of Tourism, Cayman National Bank, Water Authority and the Caymanian Compass.
The meet also showcases some of Cayman’s best athletes who have never had the chance to compete here as adults. They include Jon Rankin in the 1500m, Olympian Kemar Hyman in the 100m, Rhymiech Adolphus, also in the 100m and the Morgan twins Carl and Carlos in the long jump.
Ms Mothersill said: “This is a different type of sporting event for these Islands but it’s one that I’m sure that once the general public gets to understand they will appreciate it more. And to see this calibre of athletes at home prior to the London Olympics, in our backyard that you’re going to see on your TV screens, that is something special.
“There is a buzz although as Caymanians we are a little laid back. Earlier there wasn’t such a buzz but now the athletes are here everyone is super excited that they will get an opportunity to see the likes of these guys here.”
Ms Jeter said: “I’m definitely here to run a great race and to support Cydonie in the first Cayman Invitational. I hope to go out and run a great race for the fans.”
Kenrick Williams, technical director of Cayman Islands track and field, said: “Everyone is excited about this meet, especially one with such a high calibre of world and Olympic athletes. To have something like this is long overdue.”
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Would Cayman be having this track meet if they didn’t have a gold medal runner?
Big Berd
And your point is ???!!!
The fact that Cayman has a gold medalist, and if I’m not mistaken, an Olympic bronze medalist awarded years after she was cheated by Marion Jones, Cayman has every reason and right to hold this track meet.
And provide world-class entertainment for Cayman’s sports fans and inspiration and an opportunity for exposure for Cayman’s up-and-coming track stars.
Do you actually have a problem with any of that ???!!!
Do you have a problem that probably the 5th or 6th fastest woman in the world over the stretch of her entire career is actually a Caymanian named Cydonie Mothersill, a most respected world class sprinter in the world of top-level athletics ?
Will you have a problem, when, not if, Usain Bolt and the superstar Jamaican Olympic track team finally performs at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex ??!!
If you do, there no hope for you, mate !