As of Tuesday, November 1, 2022
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MEMBERS of the local organising committee in their pitch to World Athletics for the return of the World Relays.
#By BRENT STUBBS
#Senior Sports Reporter
#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
#WHILE the World Athletics Council has decided to postpone the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 23 until May 13-14, a decision will be made by November 30 on the venue for the 2024 edition.
#The Bahamas made a strong bid to World Athletics to have the World Relays returned to its original home and the organising committee say they are optimistic that they will be successful.
#“We went through an expensive process. We submitted our documents on October 1. We did our video presentation that was submitted on October 28th, and we just completed our oral submission today (Monday),” said Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ president Drumeco Archer.
#“We are not sure what the results will be until December 1, but we have produced a first-class presentation. So, we will see what those results will look like later. But we are conservative, and we are very optimistic with our presentation for the World Relays to return home in 2024.”
#A committee included Archer, World Athletics’ councilwoman Pauline Davis, National Sports Authority’s acting manager Grafton Ifill Jr, Dr Daniel Johnson, Herbert Cash, Lateria Duncombe and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.
#The Bahamas served as host of the first three editions of the World Relays in 2014, 2015 and 2017. The Bahamas lost out in hosting the fourth edition in 2019 to Yokohama, Japan and the fifth edition that took place in Chorzow, Poland.
#However, due to the ongoing pandemic conditions, a decision was taken with the agreement of both the Guangzhou organising committee (LOC) and the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA), to delay the World Athletics Relays, scheduled for May 13-14 in China.
#The delay will have an impact on the qualification system for the relay events at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2023.
#Therefore, the World Athletics Competition Commission, upon approval of the Council, has revised the qualification system to include the top eight teams from the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and the top eight teams from the performance lists.
#The philosophy is to replicate a similar qualification system by still qualifying part of the field through direct competition and part through performance in the qualification period.
#“It is regrettable when we have to postpone an event,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “However, World Athletics and the local organising committee are both committed to the responsible planning and delivery of the World Athletics Relays, which includes ensuring that athletes from all international federations are able to participate in and enjoy an experience in a safe and healthy environment.
#“I want to thank our colleagues at the Chinese Athletics Association and the LOC for their efforts and cooperation in resolving this situation and look forward to 2025 when our hosts are able to stage a spectacular World Athletics Relays.”
#The host of the 2024 World Athletics Relays is set to be awarded by the World Athletics Council at their meeting in Rome, Italy, on November 30.
#With the 2023 edition of the World Relays being postponed, the 2024 World Relays will serve as the only event for relay teams to officially qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
#“We would expect that this would be the biggest World Relays yet and so we want it to come back home,” Archer said. “I’m very pleased with our presentation and we’re very optimistic that we will see the return of the World Relays to the Bahamas.”
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