Coaches happy with inclusion of Class IV at Gibson McCook Relays

A FEW weeks ago, several of the island’s top high school track and field coaches were upset that Class IV boys and girls were excluded from this year’s staging of the Gibson McCook Relays scheduled for the National Stadium next Saturday.

The event, an invitational, had Class IV among both sexes missing and a few coaches voiced their disapproval with the decision of the committee to exclude these athletes in an article in The Gleaner.

Two days ago, in a new twist, the committee announced a change of heart and these athletes will now be able to compete in the event, which will start at 1 p.m. with the Girls’ Class 1 4x100 metres and ends at 5:05 p.m. with the high school Boys’ 4x400 metres.

The Gleaner, on Friday, caught up with Michael Dyke of Edwin Allen High, Dave Anderson of Holmwood Technical and Marlon James of St Catherine High, who praised the committee for their adaptability.

“I am very pleased to see that the organisers have now included Class IV Boys and Girls. It shows that the committee was willing to listen to coaches, and made the necessary changes where possible in order to facilitate these athletes. Class IV are our future as this is where our stars all started, and kudos to the committee,” said Dyke.

Anderson voiced the same sentiment, saying: “It is good that the organisers had a change of heart and have decided to invite these young athletes at this year’s relays. It is definitely a good decision to give them the opportunity to compete, especially since spectators will be in attendance. This will help them to be exposed to competing in front of an audience,” said Anderson.

James was relieved.

“I am happy and very relieved with this decision because I know that these athletes would have felt left out and I am really elated that the organisers have now involved them,” said James.

A senior member of the organising committee, who wished to remain anonymous, explained the reason for not initially inviting Class IV athletes.

“Our decision was related to the possibility that these athletes were not vaccinated and with the coaches’ response in The Gleaner, that did have some influence for a change of heart,” he said.

– Raymond Graham