The President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Brian Lewis, welcomed the start of the inaugural edition of the Caribbean Games at the official Opening Ceremony of the Chefs Seminar at Hotel Fleur d'Epee, Gosier, Guadeloupe on Saturday 2 April 2022.
The historic first edition of the Caribbean Games will take place in Guadeloupe from June 29 to July 3, 2022. More than 800 U-23 athletes from 29 countries will compete in seven sports as they aim to make history.
23 participants from 20 CANOC member countries travelled to Guadeloupe for the seminar and an additional 9 more member countries joined virtually. Three CANOC Executive members were on hand.
During his official opening remarks Lewis urged participants to be conscious of the immense challenge confronting the hosts as well as all of CANOC, in realising the Games and the importance of banding together to ensure success.
"Each NOC/CGA is being called upon to do more. This is an investment in the future of our region,” Lewis said while noting that the Games must be a source of motivation and an inspiration to the Caribbean's youths and young people.
For his part, President of the CROS Guadeloupe, Alain Soreze, placed emphasis on having participants, 'welcomed home'.
He reminded all that "Guadeloupe is a member of CANOC and is committed to playing its part in the development of sport in the Caribbean". He ended his presentation with a resounding declaration, "We are the Caribbean!"
"The Chef seminar of the 1st Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe was a success. The chefs who came to Guadeloupe visited the competition venues where their athletes will try to bring back gold in June. Also, the visit of the Games Village was in an important step as it is by definition the heart of the Games. On April, 2nd, both onsite and virtual chefs attending received the key information regarding logistics and processes around the Games. We are all waiting to welcome you back in June," said Caribbean Games 2022 Director Julien Chipotel.
Air Antilles, a French airline based at Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe, was announced as the official air transportation partner of the games.
Ricketts opens season with 14.50m to win triple jump at Jamaica Athletics Invitational
Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts provided her home fans with a solid performance to win the women’s triple jump at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.
The two-time World Championships silver medallist produced a best jump of 14.50m on her first attempt that proved to be enough to win in the end.
American Jasmine Moore had a best jump of 14.28m for second while Dominican World Indoor Champion Thea Lafond jumped 14.22m in the sixth and final round to clinch third.
“I feel exceptional. I usually get started with my season much earlier but this year we decided to get a few things corrected before coming into competition,” Ricketts said following the competition.
“Competing with world class athletes who have been doing well indoors as well really pushed me and gave me a good implication of where I’m at this season,” she added.
The 2022 Commonwealth Champion also spoke on competing in Jamaica.
“It’s always a pleasure to compete in Kingston. Usually, I try to do a meet here before going overseas to compete in the Diamond League. The crowd has warmed up to the jumps because of how well I’ve been doing overseas over the years. I’m always grateful for the support,” she said.
Great Britain’s Hughes, Asher-Smith get 200m victories at Jamaica Athletics Invitational
Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Dina Asher-Smith took victories in the men’s and women’s 200m events at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.
Hughes, a bronze medallist in the 100m at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, produced a season’s best 19.96 to win ahead of American Fred Kerley (20.17) and France’s Pablo Mateo (20.20).
“I feel really good. I think this is my second 200m race of the season. When I opened up I wasn’t ready so tonight I was just testing out the waters. We’re starting to sharpen up but not as much because it’s a long season,” Hughes said after the race.
“To run 19.96 now, I’m very happy. I just need to stay healthy and continue to execute my races accordingly and everything will be okay,” he added.
2019 World Champion Asher-Smith narrowly won the women’s event in 22.51 ahead of the Ivory Coast’s Jessika Gbai (22.53) with Jamaica’s Lanae-Tava Thomas running 22.84 for third.
Asher-Smith says she was hoping for a quicker time and has some things to work on.
“I’m in really good shape so I was hoping to get a quicker time today. Clearly, I’ve got some stuff that I’ve got to work on so I’m going to go back to Austin and work on them but I’m happy to have won here in Jamaica,” she said.
USA’s Holmes, Great Britain’s Hudson-Smith win 400m races at Jamaica Athletics Invitational
American Alexis Holmes and great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith emerged as the winners of the women’s and men’s 400m races at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.
Holmes, a member of the USA’s gold medal-winning mixed relay team at the World Championships in Budapest last year and the World Relays this year in Nassau, ran 50.31 to lead an American 1-2-3 with Brittany Brown running 51.21 in second and Naasha Robinson running 51.81 in third.
“I had a lot of fun. The energy was great,” Holmes said after the race.
“I was expecting a smooth race and just trying to get the win. I just try to stay relaxed and poised because I know I have a strong finish,” she added.
The men’s race saw World Championship silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith produce 44.69 to take the win ahead of American Matthew Boling (44.98) and Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes (45.41).
“I’m a lot more healthier this year. I’ve got the best team in the world. My coach Gary Evans is a man with a plan and this year it’s all about being healthy when it matters,” he said after the race.
“It was a good executed race. We just wanted to come home strong and be composed. I’ve got Oslo, Europeans, Monaco and London so I’ve got a lot more races and training,” he added.
The Brit also gave props to World Champion Antonio Watson who ran 45.61 for fifth.
“Listen, he’s the reigning World Champion so I’ve got to give him respect. He came out here in front of his people and raced. He delivered when it mattered,” he said.
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