CHAMPS 100 opens today
THE 100-day countdown to the 2010 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys & Girls Athletic Championships ends today with the grand opening ceremony at the National Stadium starting at 5:30 pm.
The extravaganza will be in the form of a cultural display featuring popular artistes, song, dance, and a laser show while the trophies which will go to the respective boys’ and girls’ champions on Saturday’s final day will arrive inside the stadium via skydivers.
A torch run, beginning in Williamsfield, Manchester, travelling through the parishes of Clarendon and St Catherine and culminating at the National Stadium, will precede the ceremony.
The run will incorporate several of the island’s Olympians, including gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser.
Today’s event is a deviation from that of former years when the opening ceremony was held on Friday afternoon midway the programme.
“We wanted to create a memory for the athletes, the spectators, for all persons involved in Champs this year,” organising committee chairperson Colleen Montague, told the Observer
“For the most part, in previous years the athletes are not able to participate in the opening ceremony because they are involved in prepping for the event backstage. (This year) is a big event and it needs to be recognised for what it is,” she explained.
All local high schools, Montague said, have been invited to be part of the ceremony, while dancers and other persons who will participate were putting on the final touches yesterday.
The opening ceremony is free to all patrons.