Gold for Cayman in sprint
(CNS): Chantelle Morrison was wearing Cayman’s first medal of the CARIFTA games last night (Saturday 3 April) after winning gold in the 100 meter women’s under 17 race. Meanwhile in Jamaica in the CARIFTA Swimming Championships, Coral Tomascik took gold in the girls 11-12 breast stroke. Morrison was a hot favourite as she lined up for the final at 8pm last night alongside the region’s best young athletes, having qualified with the fastest time in the semi-finals. She achieved her gold medal in a time of 11:74 seconds. Her win ended a terrific first day of competition, which saw several CARIFTA records broken, including James Kirani of Grenada, who knocked 0.4 seconds off his own games record in the 400 metre final. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
Meanwhile in Jamaica, Cayman’s young swimmers were also clocking up the medals in the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. Coral Tomascik (left) took gold in the girls 11-12 breast stroke. Tori Flowers (Girls 13-14 800 Metre Freestyle), Geoffrey Butler (Boys 13-14 1500 Metre Freestyle), Seiji Groome (Boys 15-17 200 Metre Breaststroke) all won bronze medals.
Category: Sports
Without discounting our ‘Gold’ medal, how many athletes did Cayman as the host country have in track & field ?
Someone overheard some of the scouts saying that they were surprised for the low turn-out in athletes from the host country.
Is our national track+field programme effective, and is the turn-out truly indicative of the local efforts?
Why has there not been more development in the past 15yrs since the last CARIFTA?
Perhaps we should look to our neighbours Jamaica and Bahamas etc and see how track and field is done?
Track and Field in Jamaica and Bahamas is done the same way as it is done in the Cayman Islands. The difference is the effort of the young people and their parents. I can speak for Jamaica as I had the opportunity of speaking in depth with some of their athletes; – discipline, respect, hardwork and perserverance are the key words for them. They have to show up to training on time, show up prepared to train, be respectful of their coaches and others. They don’t make the team because who they are or related to. Most of the athletes will tell you they come from poor and humble families. Their parents are involved in what they are doing, they go the extra mile to assist them in getting to training and getting the required gears. They make time to speak with their coach and hear his or her concerns. Sad to say but our young people lack all of the above – what I witnessed with them at the CARIFTA hurt my heart, they were all in back of the stadium on their blackberry, texting, BBing, hugging up and doing everything except to watch what teenagers their ages were doing. There was one young lady I spoke and she told me she has no interest in what is taking place out there, she is just here to hang out with her friends and have a good time. This is what is wrong with track and field in Cayman. Coach Kenrick has taken the Cayman youths from time to time to Jamaica so that they can train with them, some of gain valuable experience and learned lessons of sacrifice from those Jamaicans. Track and Field in Cayman will get better, but we need the dedication of our young people and their parents, lastly we also need the local support. Like everything else success on the track is not an overnight thing.
I totally agree with you……key words to success….discipline, respect, hardwork and perserverance. Most of the athletes in Cayman in most of the sports lack all four aspects, sad to say. But until they set their eyes on the bigger picture we will continue to see a no care attitude. They need to make a sacrifice. Kids in Cayman are too spoiled and take everything for granted.
Why did you put ‘Gold’ in inverted commas? Did you not htinkk she deserved it?
Yes, there is always room for improvement and more kids should be involved in athletics. I think that oour athletes should train with the Jamaican athletes in camp from time to time. However, at the end of the day our population limits the number of elite athletes we will produce regardless of whether we are the host of a specific tournament or not. We will never be in the position of say Jamaica of competing in each and every event. We are not likely to have 4 female or male sprinters of the calibre to compete in the 4 x 100m relay.
The sky is the limit – and she broke the barrier!!
By 2016-2020 she will be in the medal standings in every major International games (Olympics, Pan-Am, CAC & Commonwealth Games) And Island Games + the Worlds. She’s what my father use to say, "Olympic Material".
One love Chan!
Congrats to ALL the athletes. You are all amazing for working so hard and we are so proud of you for representing our country so well. Its great when you win, but to those of you who didn’t win a medal or feel you messed up. You didn’t. You did a wonderful job by all the hard work, dedication and committment it took to get there. Whatever else you do in life, you can ALL be proud that you made it to CARIFTA. Thanks and well done.
Congrats to all our Caymanian athletes you have made Cayman extremely proud, continue the hard work.
Thanks for the gold metal and the hard work and heart everyone on team Cayman had it made me very proud! I also like to thank the Jamaican fans who cheered us on as well and held our flags too. I was great thanks to everyone who made this event possible
Congrats Chatelle, girl you made me proud and this country proud.
I am however disappointed in my only "Caymanian" people for not coming out more and supporting our atheles. Caymanians are so good at critizing everyone and everything instead of supporting the positine things and each other. Even though there may always be tensions with Jamacians they cheered for the Caymanian Athletes along with their owns. We need to stop the stupidness and ask the government to support the athletes : set up a sport camp like Jamaica gettign the kids into sports from young, and get better and more coaches. Parents start introducing your kids to sports it gives them more to do with their free time instead of idling. Sports allows them to travel, see the world and experience new things. We need to step up, come on CI goverment talking isn’t getting us anywhere, just do it.
Again big up to the Cayman Athletes keep it up, work harder and love what you do, speak up also and push for better for yourself and the rest to come.
I want to congratulate all our athletes for doing a great job and trying their best. I want to also Congratulate the local organization for doing an extraordinary job. Cayman as definitely rose to the occasion.
I want to also encourage the public to show more love and support to our youth, especially when they are involve in wholesome and positive activities.
I believe we send mix messages to our youth at times. We get upset when they make negative choices, however, we hardly show and give support when they are making good and positive choices.
I was very disappointed more Caymanians did not attend the Carifta events this past weekend. I recognized that there were a variety of events and camping taking place, but Carifta is once in a while opportunity.
I hope in the near future we will become a country that stands up, support, and encourage our own, because at the end of the day, if we don’t who will. This need to be reflected in every aspect of our society.
May God continue to bless these our beautiful Caymanian islands and our youths, thepresent and future.
Congrats to Chantelle and all the other athletes who participated. You all did Cayman proud. Your efforts were well merited. Continue to strive only for the best. Greater things await you,. You can and will achieve if you only remain dedicated.
A special thanks to the Coaches who give of their time in support, hard-work and dedication to our athletes. It is paying off.
Congrats Team Cayman!!!
so what was the problem with Dow???????
Congrats Chantelle on giving Cayman their GOLD………to all of the other atheletes don’t give up this is just the beginning instead push harder you just got your feet wet you now know what kind of compettition is out there strive to meet and exceed their timeing……..you are all winners you worked very hard to make it to the Cariftas.
Lets prepare for St. Kitts for next year starting tomorrow….CAYMAN CAN!!!!!
Thanks CNS good to know that but I didn’t see this article with their names till now. A program and a full TV program should have been done on our local TV station to intorduce all the athlethes to our countryafter all this was a great event. And as the other poster said SHAME all the events where not aired locally. But then again someone will have an answer for that as they do for everything else on this rock real pitty. We nned to push out sports programs here and produce more talented young athlethes seems all that is cared about here is MONEY on this rock
Real shame that not all of the games were televised in Cayman, especially the closing. Was that about money?
Well I watched the games all the games on Monday via TV it was well broadcasted… Ummh on CITN the coverate that CMC did was great….
I am unsure what the writed means by not covered it was well covered…..
matter fact I saw more ont he TV than I did on Saturday at the event!!!!
Where exactly are you living?! Cloud nine??!!
First of all congrats to all, but our athlethes could do alot better if the had more proper training abroad. Our even some better coaching. It’s good for us as a country to host these games some 15 years later, but I just wish we had more grand stands all around the stadium and not just the one grand stand. And another thing what about the proper parking, I say cars parked on a football field and along side every road. That’s a shame, then the young Caymanian athlete that dropped the batton and didn’t have the courage to pick it up pass it on so that her fellow athlete could pass the finish line I am ashamed. And as far as we know we have 3 islands, why wasn’t some athletes from Cayman Brac pikced to compete in the games. Then again maybe we are not good enough. Who knows. All in all the games wasn’t bad but we could have done alot beeter given the fact that our athletes had the home court advantage. That’s my take on it.
CNS: Chet, there were two athletes from the Brac taking part, Andrew Frederick and Jonathon Frederick (See Minister urges local support for CARIFTA)
Some Caymanians that can never be please. Why don’t y’all be happy for once that a Caymanian/ other nationality that’s been in Cayman their whole lives at least we have some young Caymanian out there getting up to do something
Be happy for once!
Congrats Caymanian Athletes you all did very well in Carifta can’t wait for next year now you all know what you compete next year.
CONGRATS!! To all the athletes, their coaches, parents and supporters. GOD bless you all!!
How many of them are true born Caymanians of two true born caymanian parents? We need to get this clear as it seems to be a problem with some people thinking our crimes are being committedby "new" Caymanians.
So what is wrong with having only one Caymanian parent? Does that make one less of a Caymanian? Really now!.
Anyway, I’m proud of our athletes! Well done all of you!
Tue 0:49: That was the point of the post. It was ironic. Some people seem only too happy to accept people with status, one caymanian parent etc when they do good but blame such people when there are crimes.
Ha ha ha ha ha – too funny when a land allows people to be citizens they are called the citizens of the country…. all this true caymanina talk should ahve been address by unna politicians and unna people at home that grip and dont walk for their benefit. I am so tired of it well as long as they born here and they walking on the roads my grandfather helped to apve I say we claim them as we feed them and school them.
You true caymanina when laws are being wrote that can aid true caymanian status PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE CAYMAN speak out then until such time… tell me wah being true caymanian entitles you too??????????? what ya say cause I cant hear you all now.. what does it entitle you too being all caymanian….????
Congrats Chantelle!
Can somebody please do a scientific study and discover why these Caymanian kids are doing this while other Caymanian kids are shooting people?
We need to know the formula and publicize it.
copying their neighbours.
This is an easy one.
Based on the swim team (I assume the track and field guys are the same) the kids train 6 days a week including 5:45 am twice a week, the top group sometimes or always train twice a day.The coaches have built up a tremendos team ethic and put such a lot into training these kids. These kids have something to get up for, they are focused and therefore dont need to get involved in stupid gang related incidents.
They will be out in force next weekend at the sea swim. Come along and cheer them on as they leave us mere mortals in the water trailing behind.
Fantastic job Chantelle! You have a bright future ahead of you. Remain humble and focussed. Congrats to coach Tyrone and all the other coaches who have nurtured her tremendous talent.
You are the next big thing in track and field! we are all behind you and so proud of the way you blew them away! Big things come in small packages!
Keep up the good work and may God guide and protect your life and talents.
Cayman is proud of the athletes they did exceptional well an I think they have encouraged others 2 get there an represent our islands!
Well done guyz u deserve it hard work an dedication pays off!
Congratulations to young Chantelle. I only make this one note for those Caymanians who flip flop when it comes to accepting individuals who are Caymanian despite not being born here. STOP YOUR HYPROCRISY!!!
Chantelle congrads, that was an excellent run. Cayman is proud of you.
After day two (of four) of CARIFTA swimming, Cayman has seven medals in total.. another gold and a bronze for Coral, a bronze for Lara Butler
Congratulations Chantelle and you have brought back pride to the Cayman Islands.
All the best, not only in the rest of the Carifta (if you are fit enough tomorrow) but in your career and continue to make Cayman Proud – we love you!
Congratulations to all of our Caymanian athletes you make us all very proud, keep up the good work.
Congrats to all of the Cayman team. Keep focused on your future training and give praises to God for bringing you this far and you all will succeed
Very proud of you Chantelle and a great effort by the rest of the Cayman team.
Congrats Chantelle.It just goes to show you other young athletes out there what can be achieved with dedication and hard work and I bet she does well in school as well.Keep working at it young lady and the world is yours to conquer.Well done again.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
THANK YOU ALL!!
OUR ATHLETES ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO BRING US GOOD NEWS!!
sorry about the caps cns i was just overwhelmed at the good news
Congratulations to Chantelle, Coral, Tori, Geoffrey, Seiji and Travis. Your personal successes are our national achievements. Thank you for representing and excelling! May success continue to follow you all.
Congratulations to all our young athletes! We are extremely proud of you! Go Cayman!
Congrats Chantelle and all the CARIFTA Athletes you have made us proud. Glad to hear some positive news and please keep continuining to inspire others. Cayman can be proud to have gold medal winners and we wish all of you the best.
Congratulations, Chantelle. You did the Cayman Islands proud!
To all the other Cayman athletes, keep your chin up, do your best!
Congrats to Chanetelle on a fantastic run! Travis you were spectacular in the high jump as well. To all of our athletes – Keep it up!! We are so proud of ALL of you!!!
To all the guest athletes – we welcome you, and thank all for a fantastic show of Caribbean athleticism!!!
CARIFTA seems well-organized and the complex looks fine too! Great job to the CARIFTA organization and LIME!!
The supporters are to be commended as well!! Great job cheering them on! Keep dem conch shells blowing!!!!
Let’s go CAYMANNNNNNNNN!!!!!
From the time I saw this young lady leave the blocks I knew she had the race. Great form throughout. Congrats and best of luck in the future!
Congrats to Chanetelle on a fantastic run! Travis you were spectacular in the high jump as well. To all of our athletes – Keep it up!! We are so proud of ALL of you!!!
To all the guest athletes – we welcome you, and thank all for a fantastic show of Caribbean athleticism!!!
CARIFTA seems well-organized and the complex looks fine too! Great job to the CARIFTA organization and LIME!!
The supporters are to be commended as well!! Great job cheering them on! Keep dem conch shells blowing!!!!
Let’s go CAYMANNNNNNNNN!!!!!
Well done Chantelle, you have done us proud!!!!
Well done Chantelle, seems like you following in your aunt Racquel Morrison back in 1989 when she represent cayman in the field events