NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – The Bahamas Government plans to install a new track at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the inaugural World Relays in 2014.
The world relays are set for May 24-25 in Nassau, but the track at the main stadium is not Class 1 certified which is required to host such a global event.
NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – The Bahamas Government plans to install a new track at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the inaugural World Relays in 2014.
The world relays are set for May 24-25 in Nassau, but the track at the main stadium is not Class 1 certified which is required to host such a global event.
There are more than 200 member federations of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), and quite a number of them will be represented at the world relays.
A total of eight world championship spots in the sprint and mile relays, in each gender, will be up for grabs as it was recently confirmed that the top eight will qualify for the 2015 IAAF?World Championships in Beijing, China.
General Manager of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Jeffrey Beckles said that Italian company Mondo has already begun the process of refurbishing the track.
“Mondo and its team began the process, and we’re very pleased that the work has started,” he said. “Our new objective is to be able to deliver the track on time, so that we can have it finished in time for a test event in April, and then of course the big relays will be here in May.”
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson admitted that some errors were made in the initial installation of the track at the stadium. He is hopeful that the work that is already under way will be completed in a timely manner and up to IAAF Class I standard.
“You should have the inspectors, the IAAF and the engineers on site, on each occasion, during the process of installation so that it can be done properly with international guidelines,” said the minister.
“We will have those three parties working together with our team, so you will have personnel from the Ministry of Works, the NSA, international inspectors, the IAAF and Mondo on the scene all the time.
This marks our initial move on the world stage in terms of hosting world-class track and field events.
This will be an IAAF Class I certification track that can host any kind of world event.”
Athletes will compete in the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m, and 4×1,500m relay events, in both genders, over two days of competition at the inaugural world relays.
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