BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- Following weeks of criticism, St. Kitts-Nevis Athletics confirmed that the safety of the athletes prompted the decision to host the Interschool Championships at the track in Nevis.
The mega event is usually held at the Kim Collins Athletic Stadium. However, due to ongoing work at the facility—work officials hoped to complete before the start of the scholastic season—it was split between the two islands.
"We know that the Kim Collins Stadium is undergoing repairs and that the surface needs replacement. In an effort to protect the athletes, we decided it was best to host the Interschool Championship at a site—Nevis—where the track is more favorable to the athletes," Delaney explained during an interview on WINN FM’s ‘Inside the News’ program.
The Kim Collins Stadium has suffered from neglect in recent years, leading to a state of disrepair, including broken seats and cracking track surfacing.
With the facility still undergoing repairs, the Association faced three options: cancel the meet, relocate to Nevis, or hold it on a grass surface. However, given the proximity of the Carifta Games—less than two weeks away—running on such a surface was deemed unsuitable.
Cancelling the event would have disappointed many athletes who had trained for it, including those in their final year. Thus, the decision was made to host track events in Nevis and field events at the Kim Collins Stadium.
"We understand that the majority of these athletes don’t participate in just one event; they compete in multiple events with heats and finals. The wear and tear on their legs, based on what we have seen at the stadium, could be harmful to the athletes," Delaney emphasized.
Ensuring the athletes are well-prepared and injury-free for the Carifta Games was another crucial factor, reiterated by the president. "This is the highest level of competition and excitement they will experience as a precursor to the Carifta Games, so we want to ensure they are best prepared for this."
The 2024 Interschool Championship will take place from March 14-17 at the Kim Collins Athletics Stadium and the Nevis Athletics Stadium.
