Barbados will be represented by what Amateur Athletics Association of Barbados (AAAB) president Noel Lynch has described as one of the country’s strongest youth teams ever assembled for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, which run from August 5-9 in Eugene Oregon.
President of the Athletics Association of Barbados Noel Lynch. (Photo Credit: KH/Instagram)
Speaking following the team’s departure on Monday, Lynch said the 16-member squad had the talent to challenge for medals against the world’s best.
“This team has athletes that in their own right, have already excelled and have shown they have global class. I start with Jayden Walcott in the shot put. I think that he is easily a medal contender.
“Any shot put competitor throwing over 20m is a potential finalist and medalist in any global competition at the junior level.”
President Lynch also believes quarter-miler Kadia Rock is capable of making an impact. Rock won silver at this year’s CARIFTA Games just before adding another silver at the NACAC Championships in Mexico.
“She did a personal best; I agree it was altitude, but the time of 51.04 seconds makes her a potential medal contender in the 400m as well,” he said.
Two-hundred-metre sprinter Jayden Green is another athlete Lynch expects to challenge for a podium finish after producing back-to-back personal best performances at the Barbados Grand Prix and the NACAC Championships.
The AAAB president holds similar expectations for Shamari Greenidge-Lewis, who anchored Barbados to a record-breaking gold medal during the Under-20 Boys’ 4×400-metre relay during the CARIFTA Games in Grenada.
“Everybody knows his potential in the 400m, he just ran 46.35 in Mexico at altitude, but his personal best is 46.2 and we believe he could have run in the 45 second bracket.
Also included in the team is promising young US-based sprinter Amir Thompson, who is the son of Olympic medalists Obadele Thompson and Marion Jones.
Lynch welcomed Thompson’s decision to represent Barbados.
“He ran a wind assisted 9.95 seconds over 100m while his personal best over 200m is 20.37 seconds and he’s chosen to compete for Barbados, which I think is a big thing,” Lynch explained.
Thompson will be joined on the team by Taylor Foster, who like him, was born in the USA. The young female hurdler is ranked number one in the New York State area and top five in the nation in the 100 m hurdles among the juniors. Lynch also believes multiple CARIFTA Games middle distance medalist Ashlyn Simmons can shine during the championship, describing her as full of potential.
When the form of the various team members and level of competition is taken into account, the veteran administrator believes Barbados can secure at least five medals in Oregon.
Several Barbadian athletes are also set to compete during the upcoming CAC Games and Commonwealth games, including Sada Williams, who is the defending Commonwealth Games Champion and record holder over 400m.
“I think she is going to do very well at the Commonwealth Games,” Lynch revealed. “Her coach Stephen Francis just passed away, but Sada Williams is in good shape and should be able to defend her title. I think she’s maybe the best female athlete that has ever come out of our ranks.”
President Lynch also used the opportunity to pay tribute to The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, who died on July 17.
“I’d like to give my own little tribute to Sir Garfield, in recognition of what he did for sports in general, not just for cricket. Establishing his level of performance as an icon in cricket and sports, gave a reason for every Barbadian athlete in any sport to aspire to the top. He proved that you can do it from this 166 square miles.”
Female team members: Alika Harewood, Aniya Nurse, Ariel Archer, Ashlyn Simmons, Kadia Rock, Nyah Clarke and Taylor Foster
Male team members: Aidan Moore, Amir Thompson, Jahkye Brewster, Jayden Green, Jayden Walcott, Nadal Seale, Rashad Gibson, Shamari Greenidge-Lewis and Zachary Wall
Management team: Rene Layne (Manager), Ramon Armstrong (Head coach), Alywn Babb (Coach) and Shonelle Trotman (Sports Therapist)
(KH)
