The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE inaugural IAAF World Relays has been hailed an impressive success that featured few flaws.

Athletes, residents and foreign spectators praised the efficiency of proceedings, the enthusiasm of spectators, the design of the Thomas A Robinson stadium and the major presence of Junkanoo throughout the well-attended weekend event.

“I really want to emphasise how impressed I am that such a small country like the Bahamas could put so many resources into building a venue of this world class magnitude,” said American sprinter Tianna Madison, one of the US’s 4x100m women relay winning team.

In a statement echoed by many who were interviewed by The Tribune, she said: “I was just so impressed with all of the attention to detail, and the stadium and the area - that kind of atmosphere really forces us to up our performances.”

The event was so good, a British journalist for The Daily Telegraph Simon Hart, said the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) should consider hosting an IAAF Senior World Championships event here in the Bahamas.

“They should bring a proper world championships here,” he told The Tribune. “I’ve been to Russia last year and it was a sterile atmosphere and I imagine it will probably be similar in Beijing next year, whereas if you bring it here, this is really the heart and soul of track and field. It’s a fantastic event. I didn’t know what to expect.

“I was blown away by the atmosphere, something I only experienced at the London Olympics (in 2012). To see a crowd cheering wildly for a 4x800m relay, for example, is just fantastic. I think it’s a very clever decision by the IAAF to host the event here because they’ve obviously come to a country where there is a great relay tradition and the locals understand the sport.”

The atmosphere in the packed stadium was electric and spectators said they felt like they were a part of a game-changing event for the country. The lively crowd cheered every race but saved most of their roars for the Bahamian participants, who competed in a total of seven events.

Lionel Haven, managing director of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said about 400 people worked to make the event a success.

Preparation for the event began the instant organisers learnt the country won the bid to host the relays, with “real operation really beginning in earnest in October of last year,” he said.

A breakdown of how much it cost to host the event is expected later this week.

Most spectators described the process of finding parking spots, passing through security and manoeuvring throughout the stadium as smooth and efficient.

Ray Harvey, who came from Jamaica to support his country’s team, said the efficiency of proceedings was atypical of a major Caribbean event.

“I think the event has been very well organised,” he said. “Organisation has been very impressive. No problem, hitch or anything whatsoever; smooth as silk. It’s not typical of a Caribbean-type function of this size, something as big as this to go so smoothly. The Bahamas needs to be congratulated.”

Nicola Cooper, from Jamaica, said: “In terms of organisation, it has been really (good), in terms of the timing and everything being on schedule, that’s been great. I must give the Bahamas kudos for that. Also, the restroom I must say I had to tell the ladies inside that they’re doing a real woman’s job. It’s really good to see the cleaning and the maintenance of the place for such an international event. I went to Russia (last year), that was my first event and I was very disappointed so that’s why I must say kudos to the Bahamas, another Caribbean sister country for how well they’ve been doing.”

Bahamian spectator Camille Harrison said: “The process was really efficient coming in. All the Bahamian people and music in background was absolutely awesome; so much passion and energy in the stadium. I would absolutely come again next year.”

Crystal Johnson, from Exuma, added: “It’s nice, Junkanoo playing is a good experience for the other countries and keeps the crowd alive. The process getting in was fast. Everyone was very nice. It shows we are capable. I’m from Exuma but yeah, I would come back here.”

Tameka Bain added: “I’m glad I came. We had no problems at all. Everything was smooth sailing. I had an awesome time. No complaints.”

However, there were few complaints from attendees, with the biggest being that the audio from the stadium’s PA system was sometimes low on the opening day of competition and people wanted Junkanoo to be in the centre of the stadium, rather than at the end.

Dorothy Noel, from Jamaica, added: “They need to cater to track fans. I was a bit disappointed at the beginning when the first event was ran and we did not have the results with the names of the athletes, etc. I still would prefer if when they are announcing the next event and you see on the board, 4x100 metres heat four, it would be good if we could see the names of each team and beneath each team, the runners because we are interested in knowing who are the people running. I get really annoyed when I don’t know who’s running. I’m looking for Blessing Okagbare against Kerron Stewart on the second leg. It’s only because I happen to know them that I realised there would be that clash.”

She added: “I’m happy with the turnout. I want a meet like this to work in the Caribbean. I had no other problems.”

Another spectator, Richardro Richardson from Grand Bahama, criticised the fact that the event began without a prayer. He said: “The Bahamas is a religious country; opening up a big event like this without prayers and stuff like that, to me I prefer it not to come.”

Mike Sands, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), said he was happy with the way things got done.

“I’m very pleased with the way things turned out,” he said. “There were a few hiccups here and there behind the scenes but were are very proud; we think we put on a good presentation. The performances were good. A world record speaks for itself so I’m very excited about what the future holds for track and field in this country. We’ve made a good impression on the athletes themselves and the officiating was very good. Overall, I’ll give ourselves a solid A.”

Mr Sands said combining “culture and sport” by adding Junkanoo performances into the event was a priority for the organisers.

“The IAAF approved of it; they were satisfied the Junkanoo was under control and was working in tandem with announcers and the races,” he said. “I think we will find that Junkanoo will now become a fixture in this type of setting, certainly for us.”

The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band (RBPF), the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) band and members and the Bahamas All-star band all participated in the event, with Prime Minister Perry Christie emphasising the significance of an inaugural event being hosted in the Bahamas during his address at the opening ceremony on Saturday.