The Tribune

WITH less than three months to go before the World Relays event - to be hosted in The Bahamas - successful site inspections have been held by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF).

Paul Hardy, technical director for competitions, and Ernest Obeng, director of broadcast, made a site inspection on February 20 and both said they were impressed.

Mr Hardy said he likes what he sees - with Junkanoo to be incorporated in the staging of this inaugural IAAF World relays to be held in the Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

“We’re going to do some thing different during this event, something special for the viewing public whether you see it on television or in person,” he said.

Mr Obeng said as a result of the planning meeting held during the site visit “we are confident about how we can deliver something that is going to be fantastic for the world to see here in the Bahamas”.

The local organising committee is led by chairman Keith Parker and vice-chairman Mike Sands.

While there are only five disciplines - 4x100; 4x200; 4x400; 4x800 and 4x1,500 - both the 4x200 and the 4x1500m are not races that are commonly held.

The World Relays will be held on May 24 and 25.