The Barbados 2016 track and field team walked out of the departure lounge at the Grantley Adams International Airport to the applause and cheering of parents and fans yesterday after placing second in the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Games in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.Barbados narrowly missed taking the title from Jamaica as the two countries were tied after the conclusion of the penultimate race of the games. Unfortunately Jamaica won the last race of the competition and the overall title with 516 points with Barbados placing second on 512. After the 62 events in the Games, Barbados won 54 medals. The breakdown of the medal tally was 16 gold medals, 21 silver and 17 bronze for an outstanding performance at the CUT Games. The Games was based on a points system and Barbados also had athletes placing from position four to eight and these helped with the accumulation of the overall points.
When asked about his feelings towards the outcome of the Games, Vaman Harbin stated that he was thrilled but was disappointed that the team came so close but did not win. He made sure to state that everyone on the team was a winner and that in the last team meeting before the team left, to reassure the team that they had given their best and no one could ask for more.
Tanya Oxley, who was the coach of the team also commented on the athletes performances. She lauded the good discipline and attitude adopted by the athletes and that she was proud of how they as youngsters approached the Games. She also mentioned the conditions of the games village was below par but with continual encouragement the team remained motivated. Oxley said the team was well rounded with early points in the field events and later from on the track. The competition was tight against Jamaica and also the Bahamas who joined the competition a day late due to a missed flight.
Oxley also commended the whole team for their performance alluding to the fact that of the 40 athletes who competed, 38 won one or more medals. In relation to the future for the athletes, Harben stated there was not much structure through the Barbados Union of teachers for the athletes but those who were already part of local track clubs would continue to train. Oxley also spoke of the local track clubs and how the standard has been raised not just at the older ages but from as young as the under 9 age category.
Malachi Parris was one of the stand out athletes as he took the Victor Ludorum crown with gold in the Cricketball throw (65.99m) and the Shot put (12.06m), silver in the 100m (12.93 secs), silver with the U13 Boys 800m Sprint Medley team and third in the U13 Boys 4x100m Relay squad. When asked about his performance, Harris said that he was happy that he did so well and that he would continue to work hard over the summer.
