Carifta Games 2017 (© Curacao Tourist Board )
More than 600 athletes have converged on the Dutch island of Curacao for the 46th Flow CARIFTA Games, the region's largest athletics competition for U18 and U20 athletes, which kicks off today in the capital Willemstad.
Athletes from more than 25 countries will compete at the Ergilio Hato Stadium from 15-17 April in the latest edition of a competition deeply steeped in the region's sporting history and tradition. Many of the Caribbean's biggest stars, past and present, made their international debuts at the event, including Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kim Collins, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Kirani James, Keshorn Walcott and Shaunae Miller-Uibo, among many others.
The competition will kick off a historic and action-packed week for the sport in the Caribbean region, which will reach its climax at the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 in Nassau on 22-23 April.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe will once again be attending the CARIFTA Games, joining NACAC President Victor Lopez and fellow IAAF Council Members Stephanie Hightower and Pauline Davis-Thompson.
Fans from around the world can follow the action via several of the competition's broadcast and social media channels. Look for updates and a listing of live streaming options available in your part of the world on the Carifta Games website and its official Facebook page.
For more, take a look at the competition's official promotional video below.
The CARIFTA Games, first held in 1972, features competition in both the U18 and U20 categories, and is widely considered as one of the best development meets in world athletics.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
