CARIFTA Games
The CARIFTA Games is an annual athletics competition founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA). The games was first held in 1972 and consists of track and field events including sprint races, hurdles, middle distance track events, jumping and throwing events, and relays. The Games has two age categories: under-17 and under-20. Only countries associated with CARIFTA may compete in the competition.
Contents
History[edit]
In 1972, Austin Sealy,[1] then president of the Amateur Athletic Association of Barbados, inaugurated the CARIFTA Games to mark the transition from the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARIFTA was meant to enhance relations between the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean after the dissolution of the West Indies Federation, but the CARIFTA Games took that idea a step further, including the French and Dutch Antilles in an annual junior track and field championship meet.
The meet normally runs over three days during the Easter period and includes over 150 separate events. The Games has two age categories for boys and girls: under-17 and under-20, the latter in line with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) guidelines for junior athletes. The meet is run entirely under IAAF rules.
According to IAAF President, Lamine Diack, CARIFTA is "on par with the World Championships."[2] The meet is considered one of the best development meets in world athletics. Having started out on grass tracks, with athletes staying in schools or other similar temporary shelter, the CARIFTA Games have come a long way. College and university coaches and scouts from the United States make their way to the Games each year, in a bid to identify up-and-coming athletes.
The Games have produced World Record holders, Usain Bolt, Darrel Brown, World and Olympic Champions such as Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica, Kim Collins of St Kitts-Nevis and Pauline Davis-Thompson of the Bahamas, Alleyne Francique of Grenada and Obadele Thompson of Barbados. CARIFTA has spawned administrators like Dean Greenaway, President of the British Virgin Islands Athletics Association.
In the early years, a handful of territories (Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Bermuda) had facilities appropriate for hosting what really is a world-class meet. Since 2000, though, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia have built brand new stadia and hosted the CARIFTA Games. The Games have also been held on Tobago and in Montego Bay, Jamaica, which became the 14th different venue in 2011.
The CARIFTA Games are normally sponsored by regional companies including the National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd and Guardian Holdings. In 2009, telecommunications company, LIME Caribbean signed on as a presenting sponsor, providing finance to the local organising committee, direct assistance to national teams and live coverage of the Games on TV across the Caribbean, as well as via Internet streaming.[3]
The Games are hosted directly under the auspices of the North and Central American and Caribbean Confederation of the IAAF, more commonly known as NACAC. Each country may enter two athletes per event and up to six athletes may be entered for relay events (with two acting as substitutes) and three athletes in the combined events such as pentathlon or heptathlon.
The 100 and 200 metres World and Olympic record holder Usain Bolt holds the 200 metres record in the under 20 category and the 400 m in the under 17 category. He previously had both under 17 and under-20 200 m and 400 m records but lost his 200 m under 17 record in 2007 to fellow Jamaican Dexter Lee who would go on to win consecutive 100 m World Junior titles. Bolt lost the 400 m under 20 record to World Youth silver medalist and World Junior Champion Kirani James of Grenada[4][5] Kirani reset the 400 m record in Cayman Islands in 2010, at which venue Jamaica's Odean Skeen also established a new under-17 record for the 200 m.
Games[edit]
| Edition | Year | City | Country | Date | Venue | No. of Events |
Top Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1972 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 1–4 April | 23 | Jamaica | |
| 2nd | 1973 () | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago | 4–5 May | 34 | Jamaica | |
| 3rd | 1974 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 13–15 April | Independence Park | 34 | Jamaica |
| 4th | 1975 () | Hamilton | Bermuda | 29–31 March | 36 | Bermuda | |
| 5th | 1976 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 19–20 April | 39 | Jamaica | |
| 6th | 1977 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 25–26 April | 39 | Jamaica | |
| 7th | 1978 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 27–28 March | 39 | Jamaica | |
| 8th | 1979 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 20–22 April | Independence Park | 42 | Jamaica |
| 9th | 1980 () | Hamilton | Bermuda | 3–4 May | 48 | Bahamas | |
| 10th | 1981 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 20–21 April | Thomas A. Robinson Stadium | 48 | Bahamas |
| 11th | 1982 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 10–12 April | Independence Park | 52 | Jamaica |
| 12th | 1983 () | Fort-de-France | Martinique | 2–4 April | 52 | Bahamas | |
| 13th | 1984 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 21–23 April | 52 | Bahamas | |
| 14th | 1985 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 7–9 April | 52 | Jamaica | |
| 15th | 1986 () | Les Abymes | Guadeloupe | 29–31 March | 52 | Jamaica | |
| 16th | 1987 () | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago | 18–20 April | 52 | Jamaica | |
| 17th | 1988 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 2–4 April | Independence Park | 52 | Jamaica |
| 18th | 1989 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 25–27 March | 50 | Jamaica | |
| 19th | 1990 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 14–16 April | Independence Park | 52 | Jamaica |
| 20th | 1991 () | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago | 30 March 30 – 1 April | 53 | Jamaica | |
| 21st | 1992 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 18–20 April | 53 | Jamaica | |
| 22nd | 1993 () | Fort-de-France | Martinique | 10–11 April | 55 | Jamaica | |
| 23rd | 1994 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 2–4 April | 58 | Jamaica | |
| 24th | 1995 () | George Town | Cayman Islands | 15–17 April | 58 | Jamaica | |
| 25th | 1996 () | Kingston | Jamaica | 6–8 April | Independence Park | 58 | Jamaica |
| 26th | 1997 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 4–6 April | National Stadium | 58 | Jamaica |
| 27th | 1998 () | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago | 11–13 April | 62 | Jamaica | |
| 28th | 1999 () | Fort-de-France | Martinique | 3–5 April | 63 | Jamaica | |
| 29th | 2000 () | St. George's | Grenada | 22–24 April | National Stadium | 61 | Jamaica |
| 30th | 2001 () | Bridgetown | Barbados | 14–16 April | 62 | Jamaica | |
| 31st | 2002 () | Nassau | Bahamas | March 30 – April 1 | Robinson National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 32nd | 2003 () | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago | 19–21 April | Hasely Crawford National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 33rd | 2004 () | Hamilton | Bermuda | 9–11 April | National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 34th | 2005 () | Bacolet | Trinidad and Tobago | 26–28 March | Dwight Yorke Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 35th | 2006 () | Les Abymes | Guadeloupe | 15–17 April | René Serge Nabajoth Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 36th | 2007 () | Providenciales | Turks and Caicos Islands | 7–9 April | National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 37th | 2008 () | Basseterre | St Kitts and Nevis | 22–24 March | Silver Jubilee Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 38th | 2009 () | Vieux Fort | St Lucia | 10–13 April | George Odlum National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 39th | 2010 () | George Town | Cayman Islands | 3–5 April | Truman Bodden Sports Complex | 66 | Jamaica |
| 40th | 2011 () | Montego Bay | Jamaica | 23–25 April | Montego Bay Sports Complex | 66 | Jamaica |
| 41st | 2012 () | Hamilton | Bermuda | 6–9 April | National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 42nd | 2013 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 29 March – 1 April | Robinson National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 43rd | 2014 () | Fort-de-France | Martinique | 19–21 April | Stade Pierre Aliker | 66 | Jamaica |
| 44th | 2015 () | Sugar City | St Kitts and Nevis | 4–6 April | Silver Jubilee Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 45th | 2016 () | St. George's | Grenada | 26–28 March | National Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 46th | 2017 () | Willemstad | Curaçao | 15–17 April | Ergilio Hato Stadium | 66 | Jamaica |
| 47th | 2018 () | Nassau | Bahamas | 30 March - 2 April | Thomas Robinson Stadium |
Medal Totals Since 1990[edit]
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 726 | 506 | 327 | 1,559 | |
| 2 | 157 | 197 | 206 | 560 | |
| 3 | 129 | 208 | 238 | 575 | |
| 4 | 121 | 155 | 183 | 459 | |
| 5 | 69 | 85 | 109 | 263 | |
| 6 | 53 | 57 | 68 | 178 | |
| 7 | 45 | 58 | 75 | 178 | |
| 8 | 28 | 12 | 20 | 60 | |
| 9 | 22 | 35 | 40 | 97 | |
| 10 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 47 | |
| 11 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 46 | |
| 12 | 10 | 22 | 18 | 50 | |
| 13 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 28 | |
| 14 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 22 | |
| 15 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 22 | |
| 16 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 15 | |
| 17 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 25 | |
| 18 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 16 | |
| 19 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 11 | |
| 20 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | |
| 21 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 11 | |
| 22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 23 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 24 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 26 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 1,423 | 1,424 | 1,398 | 4,246 |
CARIFTA Games Records[edit]
Jamaica has dominated the medals table at CARIFTA over the years. So too the record books. They hold records in 10 of the 21 Under-20 men's events contested all-time at CARIFTA, and hold or share 11 of the 17 Under-20 women's records. At the junior level, Jamaican boys own nine of the 17 records, whilst their girls possess a remarkable 10 of 16 marks in the Under-17 division. The oldest CARIFTA record in the books, though (at least for events still being contested in the modern Games), belongs to a Bermudan, Sonya Smith, whose Under-20 Javelin Throw performance of 53.98m has been on the books since 1979. The oldest boys' record is 15.03 m, the winning distance for Lyndon Sands of the Bahamas in the 1980 Under-17 Triple Jump.
Kareem Streete-Thompson went on to become one of the world's leading horizontal jumpers, but his CARIFTA performances have earned legendary status. In 1989, he set an Under-17 Long Jump record with a leap of 7.83 m, and a year later his 7.94 m was an Under-20 record, in his first year competing at that level for Cayman Islands. Both marks remain untouched. The women's horizontal jump records are almost as long-lived, Jackie Edwards' 1987 mark of 6.14 m was the Under-17 winning distance that year, and Daphne Saunders' leap of 6.93 m won her the 1989 title. Both ladies are from the Bahamas.
Men Under 20[edit]
Women Under 20[edit]
Boys Under 18[edit]
Girls Under 18[edit]
Boys Under 17 (until 2013)[edit]
Girls Under 17 (until 2013)[edit]
Austin Sealy Award Winners[edit]
Starting in 1977,[53] the Austin Sealy Award is presented to the athlete adjudged the most outstanding, either in terms of record accomplishment, or quality of performance as compared to other top medallists. The Carifta Games Magazine issued for the 40th edition of the Carifta Games contains the article: "Most Outstanding Athletes over the years: Winners of the Austin Sealy Trophy", by David Miller, published on page 19 in part 2[54] and on page 24 in part 3.[55] It displays a complete list of award winners. However, there are a couple of inconsistencies: in 2008 Barbados' hurdles sprinter Kierre Beckles won the trophy[56] rather than Trinidadian hurdles sprinter Jehue Gordon, who on the other hand gained the trophy in 2010[57] rather than Grenadian sprinter Kirani James, the winner of 2009.
In 2002 Jamaican U17 sprinter Anneisha McLaughlin won the award[58] rather Usain Bolt, who was awarded the trophy in 2003 and 2004.
Bahamian thrower Lavern Eve is reported to be the award winner in Kingston in 1982 and Martinique in 1983,[53] rather than in 1981. In the year 1981, U17 sprinter Candy Ford from Bermuda, who then won three gold medals (100 m, 200 m, and 400 m), was awarded the so-called "Oscar Steele Challenge Trophy" for being the most outstanding athlete of the games.[59]
* = Under-17 (before 2014) / Under-18 (after 2013)
† = Oscar Steele Challenge Trophy
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Mr Austin L. SEALY". olympic.org. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ "History of Carifta". Carifta Games 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ LIME pumps $20m into Carifta Games, Jamaica Gleaner, 22 October 2009]
- ^ "CARIFTA Games (Under 17 Boys)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
- ^ "CARIFTA Games (Under 20 Men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
- ^ a b c d e f "Carifta Games Championship Complete Results" (PDF). www.cfpitiming.com. 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
- ^ Event held 1973-1979
- ^ a b Jon Mulkeen (22 April 2014). "Sprinters and hurdlers shine at CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "High Jump Results". cfpitiming.com. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Pole Vault Results". cfpitiming.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ 7.95 m by other sources
- ^ a b "CARIFTA Games Day 3 Results". www.world-track.org. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (29 March 2016). "Peters provides the highlight of the 2016 CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Discus Throw Results". cfpitiming.com. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Kwame Lawrence (27 March 2016). "Akili battles to bronze - CARIFTA 2016". trinidadexpress.com. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
- ^ "4×100m Relay Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "4x400 Metres Relay Results". www.carifta2013.info. 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ "200 Metres Results". www.carifta2013.info. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Carifta Games Championship Women's Complete Results" (PDF). www.cfpitiming.com. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (29 March 2016). "Peters provides the highlight of the 2016 CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "High Jump Results". www.carifta2013.info. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (29 March 2016). "Peters provides the highlight of the 2016 CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Triple Jump Results". SKNAAA. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Discus Throw Results". cfpitiming.com. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (29 March 2016). "Peters provides the highlight of the 2016 CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ Jon Mulkeen (6 April 2015). "Taylor in record-breaking form at CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ a b Terry Finisterre (2011-04-25). "Four meet records fall in Montego Bay - CARIFTA Games, Day 2". IAAF. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
- ^ a b Terry Finisterre (2011-04-26). "Jamaica tops medal tally as CARIFTA Games conclude". IAAF. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
- ^ "100m Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "400m Results". SKNAAA. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ "16-year-old Jonathan Jones (BAR) 1:49.88 smashes Carifta Games U18 800m record". watchathletics.com. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "110m Hurdles Results". SKNAAA. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ "400m Hurdles Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Shot Put Results". cfpitiming.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (29 March 2016). "Peters provides the highlight of the 2016 CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Javelin Throw Results". cfpitiming.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "4×100m Relay Results". cfpitiming.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "4×400m Relay Results". SKNAAA. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ "100m Hurdles Results". cfpitiming.com. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ "400m Hurdles Results". cfpitiming.com. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Triple Jump Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Shot Put Results". SKNAAA. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Discus Throw Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 19 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Javelin Throw Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "4×100m Relay Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "4×400m Relay Result" (PDF). www.carifta2014.fr. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Triple Jump Results". www.carifta2013.info. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ "Javelin Throw Results". www.carifta2013.info. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ "Shot Put Results". www.carifta2013.info. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ "CARIFTA Games Day 2 Results". www.world-track.org. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ Terry Finisterre (10 April 2012). "Weather improves to allow records to highlight last day of CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ "Javelin Throw Results". www.carifta2013.info. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ^ a b Finlayson, Alpheus (20 April 2011). "Who Will Win The Next Austin Sealy Award?". thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ "Carifta Games Magazine, Part 2" (PDF). Carifta Games 2011. 23–25 April 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Carifta Games Magazine, Part 3" (PDF). Carifta Games 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ Foster, Anthony (25 March 2008). "Beckles already eyeing Bydgoszcz, as CARIFTA Games close – Day THREE". IAAF. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ Finisterre, Terry (7 April 2010). "Gordon and James steal the show at CARIFTA Games". IAAF. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ Graham, Raymond (2 April 2002). "Ja top Carifta again". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ "Bahamas remain Carifta champions by one medal ... Jamaica retain second place. \Jamaica, for the second year in-a-row had to be content with the runner-up spot in the Carifta games.." The Gleaner. 23 April 1981. p. 8. Retrieved December 27, 2013.(subscription required)
External links[edit]
- CARIFTA Games Records
- Results of all CARIFTA Games in all events (last standing 2006): Under 20 Men, Under 20 Women, Under 17 Boys, Under 17 Girls