The Tribune

WITH more than 100 journalists from around the world already expressing an interest in covering the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Relays Bahamas 2014, the centralised online media accreditation system will soon be available to the press.

With about two months before the event, the online media accreditation for all written media and photographers will commence on Wednesday, March 19.

Tonique Williams, local organising committee (LOC) deputy director of event media services, said media representatives (written media and photographers) will be able to apply for accreditation by logging on to bahamasworldrelays.org

“Press coverage of the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 is expected to generate an impressive number of articles at the international level, with more than 100 media representatives expected to be in Nassau for the event,” Ms Williams said.

“All agencies will have to apply through the IAAF Member Federation. Applications should be made to the national federation of the country where the headquarters of the media organisation represented is located.”

Williams added that once a confirmation letter is received, international media should be sure to book their accommodation at one of the two preferred media hotels by April 18.

The Melia Nassau Beach and Casuarinas of Cable Beach are the two preferred hotels.

Williams notes that local media agencies within the Bahamas can request an access code by sending an email to media@bahamasworldrelays.org. The closing date of media online registration is May 12.

During a local media walk-about of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium last week, Jeffery Beckles, general manager of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and LOC senior director of venue, said adjustments have been made to the stands and the surrounding area of the stadium to facilitate the media.

“Preparations are being made to accommodate 140 members of the press, a combination of international and domestic press houses. In the stadium in the grandstand in the area of the finish line, which we call section 5 west, we are preparing an entire tribune, complete with workstations, computers and internet access so that the media will have a full working station accessible to them,” Beckles said.

Beckles also displayed the accessibility of the media to the main press centre, the working station, the mixed zone and the media broadcast centre, which will be located at the southern side of the stadium.

“The press is not only here to cover the event. The press is our unmentioned international marketing arm,” he said. “The way they explain their experience and write about their experience tells a lot about the Bahamas, our capacity to host a lot of events of this nature, so it is important for us to ensure that the press is properly accommodated.”