As we gather to celebrate this, the 41st staging of the Junior CARIFTA Games, in this an Olympic year, we should reflect on how much this particular event has served the development of track and field athletics in our area.
The list of athletes who have gone on to perform effectively at major games is a credit to the development programme of the sport in our area.
The Bermuda Track and Field Association, one of the original participants of the CARIFTA Games, can feel a sense of pride in knowing that the present 200 metre World Record holder, Usain Bolt, established the 200m World Junior Record at the CARIFTA Games held here in Bermuda in 2004.
We are all delighted to be in an environment that boasts such historical marks as our young athletes begin their quest for yet more glory.
The Bermuda Track and Field Association is to be congratulated for the wonderful preparations they have made in association with their government and sponsors. It is now our turn as visitors and participants to perform to the best of our abilities as we continue to prepare athletes for future world athletics events.