media_artricles :: 2016

Walcott headlines Grand Games of world stars

Top Track and Field athletes from 25 different countries including the United States, Jamaica, Great Britain, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Nigeria, Cuba, Angola and T&T will compete on one track on May 21 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The mega event, which is dubbed the "Showdown at Sundown" will be hosted by the Grand Games organisation under all rules and stipulations of the International Association of Athletics Administrations (IAAF).

It is said that local athletes such as Jamol James, Aleena Brooks, Ruebin Walters, Reyare Thomas and Emmanuel Mayers have all confirmed their participation for the event. Several other athletes from within and outside the Caribbean region have also pledged their allegiance to this meet.

The Men's 100m will be the blue ribbon event.

The event has been sanctioned by NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association) and the governing body will be coming to observe T&T's support and T&T's professional standards.

All T&T supporters of athletics are asked by the organisers of the event to sport the national colours—red, white and black showing support for the T&T athletes.

The event, which will host a mega after party from 10 pm to 4 am, is deemed the biggest Athletic event in 32 years.

With an estimated budget of US$1m, which includes prizes that will range from US$4,800 for first place and US$3,600 for runners-up straight down to the eighth place finisher.

T&T Guardian understands that the Grand Games has been granted an area permit by the NACAC, which means that any records broken at the meet, with all other technical aspects in place, will be recognised. This is the first area permit meet since the 1984 Neal and Massy Classic.

For athletes, all rules will be adhered to, including the conducting of dope tests.

The IAAF has already assigned a medical delegate to the meet who will oversee all the drug testing. The equipment is currently in place at the Stadium, where there is any shortfall, the NAAA's will ensure that we have all the required IAAF stipulated equipment for such a meet to take place here.

Tickets are priced at $350 (US$60 online), each of which is attached with several promotions.

Every patron will also be entered for a chance to win a brand new Hyundai Elantra car which will be drawn on the day of the event. In addition, the purchase of a ticket gains entry into the after party (BeGrand2K16) at the Stadium.

One can visit www.thettgg.com to see the big names competing on T&T's soil.

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