The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RIGHT after the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations completes its National Open Track and Field Championships this weekend, the Blue Marlin Management will stage its Last Chance Meet on Monday.

The Last Chance Meet, the third in its series this year, is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. It is designed to provide all of the relay teams a final opportunity to lower their times for a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, July 23 to August 8.

The final day for all National Olympic Committees to submit their teams is Tuesday, June 29.

So BMM’s chief executive officer Demaris Cash said having the Last Chance Meet on Monday provides athletes with their final chance to qualify. “We decided to have this meet the day before all of that happens,” Cash said.

“We’re not a part of the NOC, but as private entity, Blue Marlins just want to do its part to help.”

Athletes and teams from around the country would have already been in town to participate in the BAAA Nationals that starts today and wraps up on Sunday.

These athletes are expected to stay behind and be joined by others coming in for the Last Chance Meet on Monday. “We have teams from Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, Mexico and the United States of America,” Cash revealed. “We will be running both the men’s and women’s 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relays and a mixed medley relay. “We will also have a few events like the 100, 200 and 400m and some field events.”

In the men’s 4 x 100m, the Bahamas is expected to field two teams to compete against Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua & Barbuda. The Bahamas will be matched against Trinidad & Tobago in the women’s 4 x 100m.

As for the mixed relay, the Bahamas will compete against a selected USA team and Trinidad & Tobago.

And in the men’s 4 x 400m, the Bahamas men will square off against Mexico and in the women’s race, the USA will put together a select team to compete against the Bahamas.

“Shaunae Miller-Uibo has confirmed that she will be competing in the women’s 4 x 400m relay along with our collegiate athletes,” Cash said.

“The BAAA will make the decision on who will run the relays. I want to try and get all of the Bahamian relay teams qualified for the Olympics. I think we can do it. We missed an opportunity at World Relays, but I think we have a golden opportunity here to get all five teams qualified for Tokyo.”

With an entry fee of $20 per person, Cash said they will be allowing spectators to come into the stadium to view the Last Chance Meet and cheer on the Bahamian athletes as they try to secure their berths for the Olympics.