Inaugural athletic meet to boost local sports tourism

(CNS): A new international athletics event will be debuting in the Cayman Islands this May which will feature world class professional track and field athletes. The Cayman Invitational was launched this weekend by the premier, who said the event will mark a new sporting era in the Islands. Given the visibility international athletes can bring sports tourism offers a big boost to the islands Bush said. Based on an idea from local commonwealth gold medallist Cydonie Mothersill, the event is being organised by the tourism ministry and will take place at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on 9 May, featuring over 80 professional athletes.

Sprinter Carmalita Jeter, shot-putter Dylan Armstrong, women’s 400 metre runner Novlene Williams Michael Frater from Jamaica’s 100 meter relay team and Bahamian Olympic medallist Chris Brown are among those who will join local stars such as Mothersill, Jon Rankin Ronald Forbes and the Morgan brothers among others.

The Cayman Invitational is being billed as an annual event which will form a trio of regional pro track and field meets with the Jamaican Invitational, which takes place in early May, followed by a meet in Puerto Rico. The Cayman meet will include eleven track and two field events.