May 11, 2021

Carifta Games 2021 Cancelled Due To Covid-19 Pandemic

By Newsroom

The Carifta Games which was scheduled to take place in Bermuda in August has been canceled for a second straight year, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Making the announcement on Monday night, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) said after reviewing the stakes, there was “no option” other than postponing the games. 

“The Bermuda authorities have made it clear that the 14-day mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated athletes is non negotiable. While Bermuda allows athletes from 16 years to be vaccinated, the majority of our Carifta Family members are in countries where the authorities only allow vaccination for persons 18 years and older,” the NACAC explained in a statement.

“We cannot host the event without the Under 17s, who, from our vantage point, are as integral to the event as the U-20s. We are not agreed to having an edition of the Carifta Games that does not engage the traditional categories and which disenfranchises a significant number of athletes,” it added. 

It also revealed that funding, or a lack thereof, has put the Association in a “precocious position” as it relates to the future of the games. 

“We are also aware that the government is not prepared to facilitate any additional funding to the Local Organising Committee at this stage, for the realization of the Games. This therefore leaves individual member federations and NACAC in a very precarious position relative to the Carifta Games 2021 being of an order consistent with its long history,” it said. 

“NACAC apologises to the membership for the cancellation of this year’s edition of the Carifta Games.”

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