Uncertainty continues over host for 2027 CARIFTA Games

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 31, 2026 - Uncertainty continues to surround the hosting of the 2027 CARIFTA Games, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that NACAC may reopen the bidding process after prospective hosts have not yet secured the required government guarantees.

The reports come as the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) continues its search for a host nation for the region's premier junior track and field championships.

NACAC President Mike Sands, speaking during a brief appearance on Saturday's edition of TalkSports, confirmed that no host has yet been approved but assured the athletics community that an announcement would be made as soon as a decision is reached.

"Trust me, as soon as I get the word, the whole family of CARIFTA and the diaspora, and everybody else will know because that's our premier event," Sands said. "That won't be any secret. We won't keep that a secret. Trust me."

Sands explained that following discussions at the NACAC Congress held in Grenada during the 2026 CARIFTA Games, member federations interested in hosting the 2027 edition were invited to submit bids accompanied by letters of guarantee from their respective governments.

Although NACAC had initially hoped to identify a host by the end of April, the process has been delayed.

Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago expressed interest in staging the championships. However, according to Sands, neither federation has yet secured the required government guarantee.

The CARIFTA Games is NACAC's flagship developmental competition and annually showcases the Caribbean's top junior athletes, many of whom go on to represent the region at major international championships, including the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that NACAC is being urged to reopen the bidding process to all member federations as efforts continue to secure a host for the 2027 Games.

NACAC commends T&R Communications for CARIFTA Games production

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, May 31, 2026 - The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has publicly commended Grenada-based T&R Communications for its television and streaming production of the 2026 CARIFTA Games held at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium from April 4-6.

NACAC President Mike Sands used a surprise call-in during Saturday's edition of TalkSports to congratulate T&R Communications CEO Ritchie Ollivierre on what he described as a highly professional production, despite the company being engaged on relatively short notice.

"I couldn't let this opportunity go by without taking advantage of the opportunity to commend Ritchie on the work that he'd done. Professional par excellence," Sands said.

He acknowledged that there were initial challenges in organising the broadcast but noted that NACAC ultimately assumed responsibility for the production and later engaged T&R Communications to deliver the event.

"I only wish, and I can say this publicly, that we had started down that path earlier because in the short space of time that we were able to come to an understanding of what was needed, he was able to pull it all together. So I can't imagine what will happen with longer planning," Sands added.

According to the NACAC President, the broadcast reached audiences around the world, generating significant viewership through various platforms.

"With FloSports alone, we had 2.1 million total impressions across all platforms. We had sessions where we had 551,000 people viewing. That's in Europe. FloSports covers the United States and Canada, and I don't yet have the numbers for the Caribbean," he said.

Sands credited much of the success to Ollivierre and his team.

"All of that would not have been possible without the professionalism of Ritchie and how he was able to make things happen. NACAC is looking forward to a continuous collaboration, this time with more long-range planning. Congratulations again on a job well done."

Responding to the commendation, Ollivierre thanked NACAC for the opportunity and confidence shown in his company.

"Thank you, Mike, and thank you too for the confidence you all placed in me to get this done. It has done a world of good for T&R Communications, and we look forward to working with NACAC in the future," he said.

 

Anderson Peters opens Diamond League season with victory in Rabat

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 31, 2026 - Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters opened his 2026 Wanda Diamond League campaign impressively on Sunday, capturing victory at the Rabat Diamond League meeting in Morocco.

The two-time World Champion produced a best throw of 86.08 metres in the fourth round to move into the lead and secure top honours in a competitive field.

Peters trailed Sri Lanka's Tharanga Pathirage after the opening round, with the Sri Lankan launching the javelin 85.97m on his first attempt. However, the Grenadian responded with a series of solid throws before unleashing his winning effort midway through the competition.

Pathirage was unable to improve on his opening mark and settled for second place with 85.97m.

Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott, the 2025 World Champion and former Olympic gold medallist, finished third with a best throw of 82.52m.

The victory provides an encouraging start to the Diamond League season for Peters, who continues to establish himself among the world's elite throwers following a strong early-season campaign.

Peters and the other leading throwers will have little time to rest as the Diamond League circuit moves to Europe. Their next stop will be the Rome Diamond League in Italy on Thursday, where another high-quality contest is expected.

Gamali Felix opens European campaign with fourth-place finish in France

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 31, 2026 - Grenadian quarter-miler Gamali Felix made a promising start to his European outdoor campaign on Sunday, finishing fourth in the Men's 400 metres at the 2026 Meeting International de Forbach in France.

Competing against a strong international field, Felix clocked 46.02 seconds in his first race on the European circuit this season.

France's Benoit Priso won the event in 45.79 seconds, while Nigeria's Chidi Okezie finished second in 45.86 and Germany's Jean-Paul Bredau was third in 45.95.

Although satisfied with opening his European season against quality opposition, Felix admitted that the transition from the United States to Europe has presented some challenges.

"It's been a bit of a shock to the system coming from Nebraska, but I'm settling in," Felix said. "Excited to see how much more I can improve as I get fully acclimated."

The Grenadian revealed that he has also been battling illness since arriving in Europe.

"Since yesterday, I have been feeling sick. It's like my immune system dropped. Dry nostril, had fever, aches and pains in my joints," he explained.

Despite the setback, Felix was encouraged by his performance and believes there is more to come as he gains race sharpness and adjusts to the European environment.

The former NCAA standout remains in Europe and will return to competition on Tuesday at the San Vito al Tagliamento Athletics Meet in Italy.

"But going towards Italy, I just gotta put more effort throughout the whole race," Felix said.

Felix is contesting a series of meets on the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze and Challenger circuits as he seeks valuable world ranking points and qualifying marks during the early stages of the outdoor season.

Three Grenadians Advance to NCAA Championships in Eugene

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 30, 2026 - Grenada will be represented by three athletes at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships after a series of impressive performances at the East and West First Round meets in Lexington, Kentucky, and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The trio consists of Jamora Alves of St John's University, Kelsie Murrell-Ross of the University of Georgia, and Nazzio John of Ohio State University.

Alves qualified in the Women's Discus Throw after another record-breaking performance at the NCAA East First Round in Lexington. The Grenadian national record holder unleashed a personal best throw of 57.56 metres to finish third overall and secure her place at the national championships.

The performance improved her own national and school records, which she had established just two weeks earlier at the BIG EAST Championships. It will be Alves' third appearance at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she previously earned USTFCCCA All-America Honourable Mention recognition in 2023 and 2025.

Murrell-Ross also secured her place in Eugene after advancing in the Women's Shot Put. Competing for the University of Georgia, she recorded a best mark of 17.63 metres to finish among the qualifiers from the East Region.

The former Grenadian national junior standout has enjoyed a strong season in one of the most competitive conferences in collegiate athletics and will now have an opportunity to test herself against the nation's elite throwers.

On the track, Nazzio John continued his outstanding season for Ohio State University by qualifying for the Men's 200 metres and the Men's 4x100m relay.

John equalled his Grenadian national record in the 200m when he won his quarterfinal heat in 20.27 seconds with a legal wind reading of +0.9 metres per second. The performance secured automatic qualification for Eugene and reinforced his status as one of Grenada's premier sprint talents.

He will also return to Hayward Field as a member of Ohio State's 4x100m relay team, which successfully advanced through the regional qualifying round.

While three Grenadians secured places at the national championships, several others narrowly missed out on qualification despite producing noteworthy performances.

Jamara Patterson of Louisiana Tech continued her remarkable season in the Women's 400 metres. Although she fell short of advancing to Eugene, Patterson lowered her personal best during the regional competition, adding to a season that included a Conference USA title and a meet record performance.

Isaiah Patrick of the University of Alabama also missed qualification in the Men's 110m Hurdles, while Indiana University's D'Angelo Brown fell short in the Men's 800 metres despite enjoying a season highlighted by a Grenadian national record.

The 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held June 10-13 at the world-famous Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, where Grenada's trio will seek to conclude their collegiate seasons on the sport's biggest stage.