The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

While they would have preferred to have the two upcoming editions, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg told World Athletics that they are excited that The Bahamas will get to host the 2028 World Relays.

The World Relays will return to The Bahamas in 2028 and will serve as a preview for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, from July 14-30, World Athletics announced this weekend in Nanjing, China. 

With renovations currently underway at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, The Bahamas made a pitch to World Athletics on March 4 for the 2026 and 2028 editions.

But World Athletics Council revealed at its 237th World Athletics Council Meeting in Nanjing that The Bahamas has secured the rights for the hosting of the 2028 World Relays from April 22-23, while Gaborone, Botswana will stage the 2026 edition from May 2-3.

“I am quite happy. We wanted both 2026 and 2028, however, we understand that World Athletics wanted to give the African nation, just like The Bahamas, to host the World Relays,” Bowleg said.

“So they decided to spilt it with Botswana. We gladly accept 2028 because it’s the year of the Olympics in 2028, so that World Relays will be much bigger than 2026, so it shows that The Bahamas is a place chosen, not just to host it, but to host it at a critical time in the year.” 

After hosting the first three editions in 2014, 2015 and 2017, The Bahamas lost the next two editions to Yokohama, Japan in 2019 and Chorzow, Poland in 2021.

It turned to The Bahamas in 2024, but moved to Guangzhou, China in 2025 and heads to Cali, Colombia in 2025. After making a stop in Botswana in 2026, it will be back in The Bahamas for the fifth time in 2028.

In making the official announcement, World Athletics’ president Sebastian Coe said they are delighted to be bringing the World Relays back to The Bahamas.

“I am delighted that Botswana’s commitment to athletics, both through their elite athletes and their event hosting capabilities, has led them to hosting the World Athletics Relays next year,” Coe said. 

“This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, in addition to the Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold events, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills.

“We are determined to support member federations in their ambitions to grow through hosting our events. Both The Bahamas and Botswana have hosted events in the past and their talented athletes will, I know, generate local and international excitement.”

Bowleg and the Local Organising Committee, headed by managing director Val Smith-Green and the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, made the pitch to World Athletics on March 4 from the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. 

Bowleg said they are delighted to have the World Relays back. 

“The Government of The Bahamas is delighted to host the world back to our shores for yet another edition of The Bahamas World Athletics Relays,” Bowleg said.

“We have had fond memories of great competition, fun and excitement, and we can’t wait to for you to come back.”

Also participating was the Ministry’s Deputy Director General Dr Kenneth Romer; National Sports Authority chairman Grafton Ifill Jr and Ministry’s consultants Rev. Harrison Thompson and Pauline Davis, a lifetime member of World Athletics.

He didn’t participate in the pitch, but former BAAA’s president Mike Sands serves as the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) and by extension a member of World Athletics. 

Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, was just as elated about Botswana’s hosting of the World Relays next year as does the Bahamas three years later. 

“This is a moment of immense pride for Botswana. The World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 will ignite a national passion, drawing the world to our shores and showcasing our unique spirit,” he said.

“We humbly welcome athletes and fans alike, knowing that this event will inspire generations and leave a lasting legacy of triumph and unity.”

Also during their meeting at the World Indoors’, World Athletics approved the implementation of the mixed 4 x 100m relay, the latest event to be added to their international competition with the format calling the females to run the first two legs, followed by the men on the final two.

In preparation for the hosting of both World Relays, Bowleg said the national stadium underwent a massive renovation process since last year and it’s expected to be completed by October.

“We wanted to make sure that it would be ready for the 2026 World Relays,” Bowleg said. “We don’t need to rush anymore because we won’t host the 2026 World Relays.

“But it will be completed because we have a few other events knocking on our door. We will host the 2026 Bahamas Games to unite the nation through sports, which is the only thing outside of junkanoo and regatta, that bring our people together.”

The announcement for the return of the World Relays came over the same weekend in China where Devynne Charlton repeated as the women’s 60 meters hurdles champion at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing.

Bowleg said the performance came t the right time for the Bahamas and applauded the Charlton family for the base they provided for Charlton to achieve the feat. 

“Congratulations to Devynne and the entire Charlton family for the work and support they would have given to Devynne, who has proven that when it comes to the 60m hurdles, she’s the best in the world,” Bowleg said.

“To repeat as world champions says a lot f bout her determination and desire and commitment to remain on top. Congratulations to Devynne. I look forward to her outstanding performances in the hurdles in the future.”