Antigua and Barbuda: Geolyna Dowdy enters 2023 CARIFTA Games qualifier

Antigua and Barbuda: The Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has another CARIFTA Games qualifier. After running 11.84 seconds in the 100 m and missing out on the 11.70 qualifying times, Geolyna Dowdy returned in the 200 m and booked her spot on the team to Nassau Bahamas by running 23.92 seconds in the 200 m Under 20 girls.

That time was below the qualifying standard of 24.00 seconds. Geolyna is now the 4th person to qualify so far for the 2023 CARIFTA Games in Nassau, Bahamas, joining LaNica Locker, Naomi McDonald and Craig Prendergast.

The Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association wished to congratulate Ms Dowdy, who attends the Prince Margaret School and is also part of the Phoenix Track Club coached by Kesswin Anthony.

As per the update shared by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the CARIFTA Games Bahamas 2023, the CARIFTA Games will be hosted between April 8 and 10, 2023. It is anticipated that the event will be highly viewed through the global media.

The athletic competition is an annual sports event founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA). For the very first time, the game was held in the year 1972. The game consists of track and field events, including hurdles, middle-distance track events, sprint races, jumping and throwing events, and relays.

The Games has two age categories: under-17 (under-18 until 2017) and under-20. Only countries associated with CARIFTA may compete in the competition.

As per the official ranking table, the top three CARIFTA nations are Jamaica, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Martinique. The Caribbean Island of Jamaica is at the top with 1640 medals (770 gold, 532 silver and 338 bronze); The Bahamas is in second position with 663 medals (171 gold, 229 silver and 263 bronze), and the third position has been bagged by Trinidad and Tobago with 601 medals (166 gold, 210 silver and 225 bronze).