Bolt to run in Cayman
(CNS): Local sports officials have won a significant victory for the second annual Cayman Invitational athletic meet: the man considered the fastest person ever, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, has agreed to take part. The event, organized by Cayman’s Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, Cydonie Mothersill of KyStar Athletics, is one of the biggest athletic track meets of its kind in the Caribbean. Bolt, a six-time Olympic gold medalist and World Record holder, will be lining up with other international athletes at the fixture consisting of 12 track and two field events and featuring over eighty professional track athletes, all taking place at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
“I’m looking forward to running in Cayman,” said Bolt. “I have not competed there before, but my coach was there last year and spoke well about the event. Sprinting in the Caribbean is stronger than ever and it is great to see new track and field meets starting up. Cydonie has done great things for her country on the track and is now working hard to develop opportunities for others. I hope my presence in Cayman will inspire the youth and contribute to the development of the sport.”
The meet is set for 8 May and Bolt will be joined by other world class athletes, including Beijing Olympic silver medalist Kerron Stewart, Olympic record holder Melanie Walker, London Olympic bronze medalist Hansle Parchment, and London Olympic relay gold medalist Chris Brown. Local heroes Kemar Hyman, Ronald Forbes, Jon Rankin, Carl and Carlos Morgan and Tyrell Cuffy will also be competing on the track and field.
“We are absolutely delighted we have been able to draw athletes of the highest calibre to participate in the 2013 Cayman Invitational and are sure that the high regard in which the event is already held has assisted us in attracting the likes of Usain Bolt,” said Mothersill on Wednesday when the announcement was made at a press briefing at the Marriott Hotel. “It is our hope that young people in Cayman will be encouraged by watching their sporting heroes perform live and be motivated to achieve great things themselves,” she added.
The event is listed on the North American, Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) calendar as an area permit meet, and is certified by NACAC (the governing body for athletics for national and multi-national track federations within North America, Central America and the Caribbean) and sanctioned by the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA), which shows the high status Cayman Invitational has achieved already in the world of athletics.
Bolt will be a major attraction for the event as the reigning Olympic champion in 100 metres, 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay and the holder of the 100-metre world record of 9.58 seconds. His achievements have earned him the nickname "Lightning Bolt" and a plethora of awards and accolades. He is also the highest paid athlete ever in track and field.
Category: Sports
The JAAA Invitational is being held on May 4th, just four days before the meet in Cayman.
http://www.trackandfieldja.com/nmcms.php?cpage=2&snippet=events&p=event&id=91
If Bolt runs in the Jamaica Invitational, and the organizers desperately want both Bolt and Blake to run, then Bolt's appearance in Cayman four days later would be just to collect some money and have some R&R.
So much negative comments!! No wonder we are be looked at and scrutinized in everything we do or say nowadays.
Haven't you heard if " you can't say anything good don't say anything at all".
What this island needs is a little more unity and people stop down grading each other.
We fight down the preachers, teachers, politicians,police and now even the athletes. I wonder who will be targeted next.
Yes, I know we have freedom of speech but I do believe some of the comments made makes no sense and most of all hurtful to see how someone will go to any lengths to say nasty things about people.
Please consider before making your next comment to stick to the topic and remember to stop pointing fingers.
Say something nice!!
This event is going to cost a LOT of money. Have the Caymanian taxpayers even been given a choice on this? Have we been told how much it will cost? I cannot remember being informed.
Let's just say. At max 5,000 spectators at $100 a ticket (way too much). That's $500,000.
Bolt probably won't get out of bed for less than 300k (from what I have read). Do you expect the rest to run for peanuts? I think somebody needs to have a word with Mark Scotland.
Let Bolt run where people can afford him, because we can't.
This sounds like a pre-election ploy. FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!
Events are great but only if we can afford them. Somebody FOI request how much Govt is putting in. We have children withou food going to school hungry, hospital without medicine and small businesses owed hundreds of thousands of dollars by a broke govt. if Govt gives money, then the event should publish its financials and everybody should see how the funds are spent, how many free tickets etc and how much is being paid in salaries to the organizers.
That's why Meet organisers get corporate sponsors and have patrons pay to get into the venue. My only concerns is that they not use the tickets as gifts to friends and political affliates so they can recoup the meet spend…
I'd pay money to see McKeeva Bush race him.
You probably are paying for the luxury of seeing Bolt – he doesnt run for free, and no doubt there is taxpayer's money somewhere in the mix.
Lucky he's gone or he would give Bolt status as well just to buy another Jamaican's vote.
Don't even say that for a joke. Of all the nationalities he can afford to buy you think Bolt would want to be Caymanian? He is in no way under privileged and is damn proud to be Jamaican. The mentality of my own ppl irk the shit outta me!
Signed,
Caymanian
"He can afford to buy…" Are you saying that he could buy status in Cayman…? Well that's an admission that is mighty honest…surely you are not suggesting such a thing could happen here are you…?
Usain don't want to live anywhere but Jamaica. If he did he could live in USA UK China Canada. You really think every second Jamaican is dying to come to Cayman Islans, dont you? He is at the top of his game and live like a king in the land of his birth. Why should he want Cayman status? To take bashing from you people when you want? No sir.
You got it right…….now that Mac's gone he won't have to BUY status.
What makes you think anyone is bashing down immigration's door to get Caymanian status these days? You think our island is so much better than other places in the world at the moment? Think again, bo-bo.
AWESOME!! I look forward this awesome event!!
Cydonnie, Ronald and all others that have made this event possible, I THANK YOU!!
This is great news & publicity for the Cayman Islands!!
Also adds to the Tourism for Cayman.
This is just a great example of what greatness can happen when our Goct and people invest in Ambassadors for Cayman.
I strongly encourage the upcoming Goverment for 2013 – 2017 to invest in our people!! To
invest in the careers and future of Caymanians!! Only then can we grow a greater society.
Mabe C4C could get him to run for Bodden Town.
SHEEEEIT…you obviously ain't never seen some ah dem crackheads down a Republic when someone a yell POLEESE!! They would flat out SMOKE Bolt…
First, I would like to know how much he is being paid and exactly who is paying him.
Second, I am waiting to see if this really happens.
Third, I have my doubts.
Unless of course he catches the London 2012 bug contacted by the Cayman team last summer.
I'm curious to know which Caymanian runner will be first to say "dem foot a hot dem and dem cyah run"
Why do you go out there instead and do it since you know who was hurt and wasn't hurt.
I know I can't go out there and compete with the top athletes, not even our own local athletes. Furthermore, I'm not being paid to run at these events and then back out with sudden injury.
Is there a time scheduled for this meet? Why is on a Wednesday, terrible timing…
This happended last time there was a big name coming here to run, it was a middle of the week race. If the organisers are serious then put it on weekend …makes sense to me.Another golden opportunity passes by…..
It’s probably got something to do with when bolt is available. If you want Saturday afternoon entertainment come to Ed bush stadium and I’ll the to knock off a sub 30 sec. hundred for ya.
I hope that CIAA gains some much donations from this event to support our young T&F athletes that’s coming up. Last time an event like this was performed here they didn’t get a cent. So make sure the show is on the right foot now Dalton Watler – (Dr) and Mr. Bush (Bernie)
FYI the CIAA did recieve a donation last year, so please stop spreading lies.
@ 6:57am
OH!!!!!! Will thats good news then! Now make sure you get more this time.
They want more for what? to run more unorganize track meets? I guess you didn't attend Inter-secondary. The worst it has been in years. My God it was 2hr delay, and don't talk about kids running in the wrong races!!!! Yea give them more money to do foolishness.
How did they account for that donation(grant), were they deserving of it and what if anything did they do to justify future grants?
Just before election time… not saying there's a definite link but never rule it out. Should be a good event nonetheless.
Yes, and who is these’s sponsors?
Well, the ONLY candidate that SHOULD benefit from a visit by Bolt the Olympian is Stefan Baraud who actually participated in TWO Olympics. He is a homegrown (not JA or USA citizenship sports status grant) Olympian who trained, sweated, and took part and then He came back and worked with Junior Achievement and the prisons. An Olympian to admire, A YCLA finalist and a young man who has my six votes!!!
Sorry, fat ol Mac and Tibbits this is not your arena (although a foot race between the two would be worth the price of admissions!). I think this is about Olympic athletes and we do have a certified Caymanian Olympian running in George Town.
Welcome Mr Bolt. Thank you for inspiring our youth and sports.
Half French but we won’t hold that against him. Glad you said “participated”, much different from competing. On that point you were entirely correct.
Has your 6 votes? Do you mean you are going to put 6 X's beside his name on the ballot? Go for it!
Run? It was reported that he is to be paid $300,000.00 for a race in Paris later this year. We not paying that I hope…….
Nuff doctor fish, dumpling and banana!
Usain Bolt will do just that ….BOLT!
Please take it easy on em Mr. Bolt!
I bet this will be the most relaxed race of Bolt's career. He might stop at 50 meters and have a Red Stripe.
Ok so lightening strikes on May 8th 2013 @ the Truman Bodden Sports complex.
I love Bolt and look forward to watching him race but this will be boring. He will smoke the competition…wait a minute is their competition?
I’ll give it a try!
WOW…. MY JAMAICAN HERO !! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE BOLT- OUR WORLD'S FASEST MAN. GO BOLT !! BIG UP JAMAICA !
I hope those Big Up Jamaica folks will have some respect for spectators and stop standing in front of them blocking their view. This is the reason a number of people do not attend those events.
Its meant for jamaicans. Stay home if you dont like it or hust shut up and join the crowd
Please do us the courtesy and stay home! I had the misfortune of sitting next to someone like you last year a complete kill joy who seemed intent in NOT having a good time. When people jumped up in excitement so did I. It was a positive fun vibe so just go with the flow. It is not a seated opera it is a 9 second race that you blink and you miss it so give standing a chance in the moment. I promise you its an experience that you might just enjoy.
All the tickets will be sold and then he won't show up. Betcha.
What a bunch of negative people on here – you guys moan at everything
Which is known in the athletics world as "Doing a Cayman Olympic special".
What do you mean, "considered" the fastest person ever?
He most certainly is! He's the world record holder so who's ever been faster than him?
Ancient man was almost certainly faster than any modern humans. There is quite considerable evidence in support of this.
Photos or it didn’t happen.
They took photos at the time, but couldn't find anywhere to develop them for the next 30,000 years.
What!!! Absolute nonsense. That idea defies the concept of evolution. Animals do not evolve to become slower or less efficient. At an average height of 5 feet 1 inch and with bare feet running on mud? I don't think so.
Ancient man caught his prey either by stealth or by persistent running, taking advantage of his better stamina than his prey that had evolved for bursts of speed.
You know nothing of evolution. If the price of extra speed was reduced ability to maintain furtherance of genetic material then a creature would evolve to become slower. For example there can be no douby that mankind has evolved to become less physically strong. The other primates who shares our descendants are all far stronger than humans, but the cost of such strength wasobviously too much. You mentioned "efficiency" but equate speed with efficiency. In fact the two are not necessarily linked in evolutionary terms.
This was not a response to the post it looks like a response to. I hate when the indenting goes wrong when a thread crosses a page.
Nicely said. Evolution is just that ….a concept.
Why are the monkeys still here and why is there nothing in an intermediate state?
Your comment shows that the intermediate state exists and is living amongst us. How would you recognise an intermediate state? We are in such a state. Come hack in half a million years and see what we become or do you believe that it all began just over 6000 years ago and this is a good as it gets?
My God there are some stupid people in Cayman
You can't tell what's intermediate until the next state comes along and you can look back, moron.
There is no point entering into a debate with someone who is this stupid.
Good point. It's obvious to me that you are talking about an intermediate state between monkey and man although the posters below seem to be too thick to understand.
Methuselah still holds nearly all the records from 100M to 10K in the 700+ age bracket.
Are you kidding? Take a look at the following:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/the-100-meter-dash-one-race-every-medalist-ever.html?_r=0
The 100m race doesn't go back to ancient man but we have certainly become stronger and faster as time has gone by.
In about 4 or 5 generations. This means nothing in the context of the more sophisticated concepts underlying the premise of the science that supports the stated proposition.
Ben Johnson was running sub 7-second hundreds before cutting back on the steroids.
Cydonie should have told me first!
Looking forward to this. I hope the politicians wont ruin it by trying to turn it into a political event. Im sure Mark Scotland is itching to score points with this.
I won’t be too surprised that this isn’t a back door political swing form our very UDP groupie! I don’t like politics mixing up in sports, but politicians will find away to gain, to win like water finding a leak.
Did you see Jon Jon at Damian Marley ? LOL he was working that crowd hard boy. Then all that ganja smoke must have got to him and he sloooowwwed right down and started blowing kisses at the pretty girls that walked by. Why was the minister of gender affairs degrading himself like that anyway, seems like Notch had him as the hired help for the evening. XXX
The food vendors said they were asked to kick back a percentage of their revenues to some unknown politician. I wonder who that was ?
Time to blow the cover off these guys and seriously. I wonder when Joey Ebanks email is going to result in XXXXX? Or is that being covered up? ERA board please remember it is also an offense to not report a crime that you have knowledge of!
Big backfire for UDP eh? Candidate Stefan Baraud QUIT the UDP during the height of Mac Bush’s powerful reign….
I respect him for not only being a person who walked away from the UDP stranglehold, but I hope when Bolt visits he will celebrate and recognize our homegrown Olympians and future Better politicians, not the current party clowns (PPM & UDP alike) that we suffer from now.
Let him itch and let this be a sporting event
Mark Scotland will never beat him
– or, hopefully, any of the other candidaes in the Election.
No, but Bolt will only RESPECT candidate Baraud for being a fellow 2-time Olympian and a role model for youth. Nuf said.
Scotland? Nope. But kudos to Stefan Baraud who actually WAS a 2-time Caymanian Olympian and a YCLA finalist.
Sorry Scotland, step away from this graciously, you are not an athlete hero or role model for our youth.