The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER serving another successful stint on the technical committee for the Central American and Caribbean Games, former Bahamas Olympic Committee president Wellington Miller has been appointed to serve on the same committee for the Pan American Games.

At the completion of the CAC Games held July 24 to August 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Miller said he got the call to continue his duties for the Pan Am Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 8 in Lima, Peru. "It's an honour to be selected to serve on this committee for such a prestigious game," Miller said.

"The Pan Am Games are the biggest games held on this side of the world. So I'm grateful that people have seen what I can do and they have asked me to serve on the committee, especially after just serving on the CAC Games last month."

While it's also a personal gratification for him, Miller said he's also looking at paving the way for other Bahamians to attain the same opportunity in the future.

"In making history, you have to work hard," Miller stated.

"I'm the only Bahamian to serve on the technical committee for these two prestigious games, so I'm really honoured to be selected to serve."

As a member of the technical committee, Miller said they have to ensure that the games are run properly and that they are entitled to attend a series of meetings before, during and after the games with the various stakeholders.

"We have to work along with the venue manager and the IT manager to make sure that all of those things are in place," he said. "We have to make sure that the games run smoothly."

In addition to the meetings, Miller said they have to tour the various facilities, including the sites where the various disciplines are played and even the games village where the athletes are hosted.

This, he said, is to ensure that everything is in tip-top shape.

"We have already started working with our meetings," Miller said. "We also have to be there 10 days before the games start and three days after it's finished and then you have to go back to give reports.

"We have to prepare a manual that is passed on to the next country that will host the next games to ensure that they build on what transpired from the previous games."

As a Bahamian, Miller said he's delighted to have the opportunity to serve in such a capacity and he hopes that he can represent the country to the best of his ability.

And hopefully his work will enable him to be selected to serve on the technical committee for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games that will follow in Los Angeles, California, July 24-30.