The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunedmedia.net

THE final figures are still not available, but the Local Organising Committee was eager to report yesterday that the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 was dubbed a successful event, and as they “sing the praises of all involved,” they are eager to prepare for the hosting of the third edition in 2017.

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) president Mike Sands, who also served as CEO and vice chairman of the LOC, said it’s still early to give any indication of exactly how much it cost to host the event at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium May 2-3.

But Sands, along with managing director Lionel Haven and executive chairman Keith Parker, were smiling from ear to ear as they gave an overall view of what took place from their perspective.

“We were optimistic that the All-Bahamian local team responsible for the planning and the execution of the World Relays could produce another world-class event,” Haven said.

“We were confident that the experience gained, working alongside the IAAF officials last year, was invaluable and we were prepared for the challenges.”

Haven thanked all the hard-working managers and staff of the LOC, the team of the National Sports Authority and their marketing agency, the Counsellors, as well as the various government agencies, who all came together and made it happen.

The event, according to Haven, merged the power of sports and entertainment to make it a “Bahamazing” experience for all in attendance.

But Haven said none of the success of the unique event would have been possible without the contributions from the media houses in their dissemination of the information on a daily basis on all aspects of the World Relays.

Sands said the event was so successful that they have now adopted a new nickname - Bahamamania.

More than 1,000 athletes and coaches participated in the two-day event, which drew more than 20,000 in spectators each night.

“The experience of the Bahamas and this world-class competition was once again termed simply Bahamazing,” Sands said. “It demonstrated that we, as Bahamians, are capable of planning, executing and organising major international sporting events that are considered to be the best among the world.”

BTC, the title sponsor, was able to provide real time coverage to more than 160 countries around the world via television and Sands saluted them along with their national sponsors, Atlantic Medical Insurance, Caribbean Bottling Company Limited, through Coca-Cola, as well as national suppliers, including Bahamasair, BEC, Milo, Nassau Container Port, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Bahamas Waste Management, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, the National Sports Authority and Kalik Radler through Commonwealth Brewery.

The Ministry of Tourism, the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) and many volunteers who all lend their assistance to the LOC.

“We knew that it would take a great team effort and together with the Local Organising Committee, the staff of the LOC, other corporate citizens and the Bahamian people, we left another positive impression on the international community.”

Two new world records were established by the American men’s and women’s distant medley teams, which replaced the 4 x 1,500m that saw the Kenyans set both records in the initial event last year.

Sands also saluted Team Bahamas and the “Golden Knights,” who fought the United States in a keenly contested 4 x 400m finale for the only medal for the Bahamas and just the third appearance in a final - the other two coming from the men’s 4 x 200m team that finished fifth and the women’s 4 x 200 team that was disqualified.

“This year’s team included several of our junior athletes who got the initial taste of world-class competition,” Sands said. “We applaud them for the courage. They accepted the challenge, performed well, but most of all, gained an invaluable experience. We look forward to great performances from them in the very near future.”

Despite all their accomplishments, Sands said 2017 is not too far away and there is still a lot of work that they need to do to ensure that the third edition is just as “Bahamazing” as the first two have been.

And without giving the figures that everybody was looking for from a financial standpoint, Parker said they had close to 2,000 persons who assisted in making the event possible, including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Police Force and the security personnel.

“A testament to the success of our team and particular our IT Team, we had two people on our team, the Italian gentleman, who is responsible for the IT for the IAAF, has invited two of our IT persons to go to Beijing to help him prepare for the World Championships beginning August 1,” Parker said.

Just as soon as the details are available, Parker said they will reveal them.

And Sands assured the media that once all of the figures have been accounted for, they too will provide the final figures on the cost of hosting this year’s World Relays so that they can start the process of getting the 2017 Relays off and running with the view of making the Bahamas the permanent home for the event that is now a biennial meet.