President Message 1

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

IN THIS ISSUE - March 2018

President Message 1

General Secretary Report 6

NACAC AA New Development Manager 7

NACAC Women Commission Report 8

CADICA Cross Country Championships 12 PRESIDENT MESSAGE First, greetings from our office in San Juan and I APA Cross Country Championships 14 am happy to inform to you that, despite the natural disasters which we have faced from the IAAF/NACAC Relief Project 16 autumn of 2017 until now, our Members Federations are moving forward with the Haiti Premier Meeting 18 development of our sport. Despite this entire natural phenomenon that hit our Continent, our In Memoriam 19 Member Federations have been organizing competitions and championships and, with 2018 Calendar of Events 20 minor exceptions, our national programs are NACAC AA Sponsors 21 continuing with our athletes’ development. Yes, those countries which were devastated like BVI, Cuba Dominica, Turks and Caicos, Barbuda, USVI, St. Martin, and us here in Puerto Rico, are still recovering; but I can tell you that with some adjustments in our programs, our season is in full swing and our athletes are performing as good and better than ever.

I want to take this opportunity to commend the IAAF, especially President Sebastian Coe, for establishing a NACAC Solidarity Relief Fund Campaign right away to make sure that we bring help and assistance to those countries that were badly beaten. The first concern was the safety of our

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

Athletics Family in those countries, especially the The damage, which was done to our athlete’s continuation of their training and state organization in the last four decades, was so of health and safety and then the damages of deep that I really feel that it will take decades the facilities. I am happy to inform you that, for everything to be sound and trustworthy. except for the tragically loss of coach Dag Mainly it is because we owe this to our athletes Samuels from BVI, the other loses were material and young people that we try to develop and damages and as we all know those can be mold to create a better sport organization and a replaced. Although, it is going to take a long time better society. to recover the normal stage of our facilities and equipment but with the help of many countries So far, great steps have been taken with, the from the Area, Region and from around the fight against antidoping, the fight against world, we will rebuild and be stronger than ever corruption at all levels and cheating in many in the future. ways. Big steps have been taken with the approval of rules and regulations to fight other As you all know the last two years has kept all of areas that have damaged our reputation such as us very busy with the IAAF reform and Change of Alliance, lack of Gender Equity and restructure and I can tell you that huge progress Equality, Age Manipulation, Child and Women has been made in the way that the IAAF, Abuse, the need to come up with a Global including the way its Continental Areas and the Calendar that makes sense and the lack of good Member Federations will be operating, starting Governance across the board. I would like to as soon as this year. The process has been very encourage you to become familiar with all these long and tough since many changes have been changes since all AAs and MFs will be affected made, especially in the governance procedures one way or another by them. that guide our parent organization and eventually those changes will be filtering down One specific change that was made right away to the Areas and the MFs. There is still plenty to as promised by President Coe during his do and it will take years beyond 2019, when a campaign was the decentralization of the new Constitution becomes into effect, to administration and operations of our sport, achieve the goals and objectives of our Mission empowering more the AAs and the MFs. In that and Vision in creating a unique organization, respect one important change that is already in with credibility, transparency, visibility and trust effect is that the Area Associations from the media, our stakeholders and our fans. Development Program will be administrated

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018 and run by the Area under the guidelines and The fact is that the Area, as a whole, has a lot of regulations of the IAAF Development important commitments and events such as the Department. Under this new approach and Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, mandate, NACAC has established a new Central American and Caribbean Games in Development Strategy where we will have more Barranquilla, Colombia, the Americas YOG Trials direct participation from our MFs in both the in Cali, Colombia, the YOG in Buenos Aires, education part of the program and in the Argentina, the NACAC Senior Championships in development of the high-performance athletes. Toronto, Canada and the IAAF Continental Cup Several facilities have been identified in our in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, made this year a Area where we could bring our activities to the very, very important one for us. MFs and create a number of Specialization Centers in cooperation with MFs and other For most of our NOCs the Commonwealth organizations like PanAmSports, CADICA, OECS Games and the CAC Games are our Games since and Olympic Solidarity. In other words, we will there is where we can bring a larger number of have a mobile Development Program both for athletes that might be good enough to get a education and Specialization Training Centers. medal but not as good enough to get a medal at To manage the NACAC Development Program the WC or OG. Therefore, that is where our we have hired Professor Luis Roberto Reeves athletes could bring glory to our countries. Then from Puerto Rico, who brings plenty of you take the YOG where our young emerging experience to the program since he was the first athletes could make it and for any NOC or MF it director of the former RDC San Juan. is important to enhance the participation of this age group to keep them motivated and in our I keep hearing from some athletes and even sport. coaches that 2018 is a slow year therefore they are approaching this year differently than From the development standpoint, it is previous years when there is a World important to enhance the participation of the Championship and/or the Olympic Games. youth in these events. Then the NACAC Seniors Specifically, for the NACAC Area we understand which is going to be held for the third time on that this is a very important year and perhaps this occasion in Toronto, will have the for some MFs and NOCs, more important than incentives of prize money, the winner advance the years of the WC or OG. automatically to the Pan Am Games and to the 2019 World Championships and, more

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018 important, if our top athletes do not compete the Americas Team who will represent our during that period they will be two to three Hemisphere in the IAAF Continental Cup in weeks without high level competition since the Ostrava. Another great event where our European Championships will be held the same Hemisphere can show the World who has the week and there will be no meetings held for best Athletics (Track and Field) team. For our two to three weeks anywhere where our top athletes selected and representing our Team it athletes can compete in high level competition will be a good opportunity to get a good result, and make some money and at the same time to share a great atmosphere and have a good stay in top competitive form. paid day, places 1 to 8, to close their season.

Besides, all I hear from our athletes, coaches I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and agents is to make our senior championships on behalf of the NACAC Council all our athletes attractive and they will be ready to compete in who participated in the IAAF World Indoor it and in front of our people. Therefore, NACAC Championships in Birmingham where one more and Athletics Canada plus the LOC are expecting time our Area shined lead by our big brother our top athletes to participate in Toronto, Team USA who has one of the best showing in August 10-12, 2018 and to create in our Area the history of this championship. what the Europeans have done in their Area. For these reasons, the LOC is organizing a big In closing, I would like to encourage everyone to Festival around the Championships with become familiar with the changes that have concerts, events outside the stadium, world been made by the IAAF that in one way or television broadcasting originated by CBC and a another will affect all of us and to encourage all unique facility that will bring great results from your top athletes to support the NACAC Seniors our athletes, plus prize money. Finally, based participating in Toronto. on the Americas (NACAC/CONSUDATLE) rankings we will be selecting the members for Best wishes to all.

Prof. Víctor López NACAC President / IAAF Council Member Email: [email protected] Cell: 1 - 787-367-1421

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

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NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

GENERAL SECRETARY REPORT

From an administrative point, we have the largest number of Technical Officials ever in NACAC and we have located facilities in some of our member federations that will be used as Centers for certification courses, coaching

courses and other seminars. We want to We would like to start by mentioning the involve the whole area in our new great year NACAC had during 2017 where we Development Department. Our new ended with the Central American Games in Development Department Manager, Mr. Luis Managua, Nicaragua with a number of records Roberto Reeves has his priorities established broken and CADICA showing that they are and is committed to serving the area. Our first starting to raise their level. We expect a bright seminar was in Grenada for event future ahead. presentation and announcers and was outstanding, with world renown lecturers.

In regards to our office obligations with IAAF and Member Federations things have not been as expected' which we know in part it is due to the fact that a lot of islands including Puerto Rico where we are located are still not

100% functional which complicates things. We started 2018 with the Premier Even though we need to comply with the Quadrangular Meet in Haiti which is for deadlines of our Annual Reports, Annual development purposes and even though two Membership Fee and forms for our Area countries dropped at the last moment, it was Permit Meetings. still a very good event with a lot of raw talent. Our staff is committed to help and guide all We have posted our 2018 calendar and member federations to improve the quality expect to have excellent competitions ending and knowledge of officials and coaches which with our NACAC Senior Championship in will eventually pay off with better training Toronto, Canada where we will see our top methods and higher quality meets. athletes of the region.

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

NEW DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR NORTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION – NACAC AA

implementation of the newly created project by Lord Sebastian Coe, IAAF President and Victor López, NACAC President which was launched in San Juan Puerto Rico in January 2018: The Solidarity Relief Fund Project.. This project is an aid to the Member Federations devastated by

Hurricanes Harvey, Jose, Irma and Maria. 1st IAAF NACAC Regional Development Manager is on board again! Reeves is a well known educational leader in the area since he was the first Director of The NACAC AA Council in its meeting the former IAAF Regional Development February 3, 2018 chose Professor Luis Director known as the RDC San Juan located Roberto Reeves as the new Development at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Manager for Athletics in the Area Campus. Association which consists of 31 countries and 3 territories. His commitment to the development of grassroot athletes and his educational and An experienced, bilingual Athletics national managerial expertise at the Puerto Rico coach and University Athletic Director, Universidad del Este will be an asset to the Reeves brings his managerial and athletic successful Continental Athletics Strategic expertise to the area which is led by IAAF Plan developed by Prof. López as the leader Council member and COPUR Vice President, of the North America, Central America and Prof. Victor López who has been the leader Caribbean Area Association since 2013 of Athletics in the Americas Hemisphere for whose office is located at the Department over 30 years. Among Reeves priorities for of Recreation and Sports of Puerto Rico. the 2018 year is not only the educational activities for officials, coaches and Member Federations leaders, but also the

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

NACAC-RDC SAN JUAN WOMEN LEADERS IN ATHLETICS COMMISSION

and reliable information regarding the situation of female participation using a research prepared by the RDC San Juan, reports presented by the Delegates from each Member Federation and a SWOT Analysis to guarantee the truthfullness and accuracy of the information and data obtained.

In compliance with the guidelines of the IAAF It was successfully completed in 2015 and in Gender Equity and Equality Task Force, our annual Women Seminar in Cuba we chaired by NACAC Vice President and former prepared the 2016-2020 new WALA Plan and USATF President, Stephanie Hightower, which adopted a logo representing our commitment guarantee the participation and retention of to the green projects and cancer prevention women in Athletics, we have been working in plan as well as the encouragement of our the North America, Central America and athletes to return to the Western Caribbean Athletics Area Association since Hemisphere to perform in front of our 2010 in organizing the Women Athletics athletics fans. Leaders of the Americas (WALA).

We have been able to recruit other organizations such as USATF, APA, FUPPDA and CONSUDATLE and we have enhanced our relationship with the Olympic Committees in some countries in our area.

Since the beginning of our organization we prepared a Strategic Plan based on accurate

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

We have done research, published books Federations and guarantee the accuracy of (which are available online) and reports in their annual reports, abiding by the rules and newletters and webpages, participated in regulations of the IAAF and NACAC, the Forums, Congresses, Book Fairs, Meetings, transparency in the financial procedures, the interviews of members of the IAAF Women participation of women in all our events, and, Committee and the leaders of our athletics above all, to achieve that our athletes groups in the area and we have been able to participate in our regional competitions and, organize National Working groups to assist when they retire, continue their contribution their Athletics Federations and guarantee the to Regional Athletics. inclusion of females in national events. We are in one of the best moments in the NACAC Area Athletics: the leaders of the IAAF are former athletes who love this sport. Therefore, the Women of the Americas have a commitment to collaborate with our Organization and IAAF President Sebastian Coe and the IAAF Council, not only to continue as the # 1 sport in the Olympics, but to acquire the credibility of our international organization and achieve with our work the formation of the best citizens of the World.

An outstanding achievement is the commitment of women from other areas to organize themselves and the IAAF have chosen our area to collaborate in this effort. To facilitate the organizational process of a national working group, we have published a Step by Step Method and a Template for Financial Affairs as a guide for women in each nation to initiate their organization as committees or commissions to serve as a support group to the IAAF Member

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

Furthermore, 2017 was a year of outstanding Constitution for the inclusion of women. We achievements since NACAC AA was chosen as are in the process of developing a list of the model for the world in organizing women males who are supportive of women national working groups, our NACAC Vice participation, creating a Leadership President, Stephanie Hightower, was Mentorship Program and updating our appointed as the Chairperson for the IAAF Networking Directory. NACAC new Gender Equity and Equality Taskforce, a Development Manager, Luis Roberto Reeves research was done by our organization and a is organizing the 2018 Women Seminar Seminar was held in the Dominican Republic following the IAAF and WALA guidelines. to assess President Coe, IAAF President, and Therefore, we look forward to see you soon! NACAC President, Victor Lopez, in their efforts to organize the IAAF/NACAC Relief Fund Project and we have been actively collaborating in this project as well as participating in Bahrain and Birmingham in the Gender Equity Task Force.

Our WALA members have also been actively supporting all the efforts to achieve the main goals of the project: the relocation of the athletes to guarantee their continued development, the restoration of the National Federations offices and the recuperating of equipment lost due to the hurricanes. In addition, President Lopez initiated a collaboration of USA universities which are donating sports clothing and equipment.

One of the most outstanding activity of the year was the compilation of elected women leaders who could be candidates in 2019 for the positions guaranteed by the IAAF

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

We are proud to report the following Accomplishments:

Interviews of two legends from the Leaderships Seminar in Miami, Florida Caribbean: Ana Fidelia Quirot and María co-sponsored by the USATF Caridad Colón

Mentorship Program to guarantee, “Passing the baton”…: Esther Maynard (BAR) and María

Caridad Colón (CUB) 2017 Emergency Relief Meeting

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

CENTRAL AMERICAN (CADICA) CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

On Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of February the Central American (CADICA) Cross Country Championship was held in La Libertad, El Salvador. The championships was developed in two days, on the first day participated athletes of the categories U14, U16 and U18, and on the second day participated with athletes U20 and Senior categories from all America during the Panamerican Cross Country Championships.

The event in which more than 85 athletes from the Central American area participated was held in the Equestrian Complex and the Cavalry Regiment in the department of La Libertad, 30 minutes from the capital San Salvador.

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

In the results by teams, Costa Rica became the Champion by achieving 4 gold medals and 2 silver medals in total 6 medals, El Salvador won the second place with 2 golds, 8 silvers and 7 bronzes, 17 medals, and Nicaragua in third place with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, 4 medals.

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

PANAMERICAN (APA) CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

On Saturday, February 17th, the 3rd Panamerican Cross Country Championship was held in the facilities of the Centro Hípico San Andrés and the Regimiento de Caballeria, in the department of La Libertad in El Salvador.

The individual winners were the following: - 6kms U20 Female Brogan Macdougall from Canada / 8kms U20 Male Connor Lane from United States / 10kms Senior Female Carmen Toaquiza from Ecuador / 10 kms

Senior Male Joseph Gray from United States. The participation was of almost 170 athletes from 19 countries which were the following: Belize (5), Brazil (6), Canada (24), Chile (4), Colombia (7), Costa Rica (4), Ecuador (3 ), El Salvador (22), United States (23), Guatemala (3), Jamaica (8), Mexico (12), Nicaragua (3), Panama (3), Peru (16), Puerto Rico (12), Dominican Republic (1), Trinidad and Tobago (5) and Venezuela (2).

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

By teams the winners were:

- U20 Female 1st Canada, 2nd United States, 3rd Perú - U20 Male 1st Canada, 2nd United States, 3rd Mexico - Senior Female 1st Peru, 2nd Canada, 3rd United States - Senior Male 1st United States, 2nd Peru, 3rd

Canada It was the 3rd edition of the championships

which drew a record of runners and countries. This event was held for the first time in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 2015, followed by Venezuela in 2016, the Pan American Cross Country Championships were held for the first time IN Central America.

The competition was also held in conjunction with the 13th Central American The event was attended by the president of Cross Country Championships, which also the APA and NACAC, Professor Víctor López staged the first mixed relay for both U20 of Puerto Rico, who commented at the end and U18 athletes. of the championship that the event had been a total success both at the organizational level and at the technical level of the athletes. He also congratulated the Athletics Federation of El Salvador and its Organizing Committee for all the work and effort made in the organization of the event.

COMPLETE RESULTS HERE

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

IAAF /NACAC RELIEF FUND PROJECT

Member Federations which were gravely affected. Coe said he was humbled by the destruction that so many people lived through and heartened by the generosity of spirit shown

by the communities in the area. During the summer of 2017, Hurricanes Irma and María impacted deeply our NACAC Area Member Federations. Leaving most without electricity and power, but most importantly with many people without their homes and even their lives.

As an initiative from NACAC AA, we established an assessment of all the damages to our region and then spoke with IAAF President Sebastian Coe. This initial assessment is directed towards Athletics Federations across the region have lost our Track and Field facilities in our region. The communications, offices, training facilities and next step will be a hands-on Hurricane Relief equipment. Tragically, Hurricane Irma took the Effort for all our athletes, coaches and delegates life of famed coach Xavier “Dag” Samuels as it affected. passed through the British Virgin Islands. Samuels coached British Virgin Islands’ Kyron McMaster, the 2017 400m hurdles world leader and IAAF Diamond League champion.

As a result, President Coe visited San Juan, Puerto Rico on February of 2018 to meet with

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

"The athletics fraternity came together, and we in contact with members from across the have seen many athletes continue their training athletics family and was touched by the support on other islands and welcomed guests of these received from the IAAF and from colleagues countries," said Coe. from all corners of the world who have offered to help, house and host affected athletes training for this year’s events.”

The allocation of funds will be handled by a dedicated team, headed by the IAAF, and based on the audit of damages and needs of those federations affected done by NACAC Staff and the Women Athletics Leaders of the Americas (WALA).

Coach Lopez, NACAC President and USTFCCA, Hall of Fame Member, added initiatives which To assist in this the IAAF announced a have brought about collaborations with USA U$500,000 solidarity fund to help member NCAA Universities, such as the University of federations in the North American, Central Kentucky, who donated gear, clothes, spikes American and Caribbean (NACAC) Area recover and running shoes. from the devastating damage caused last year by the four hurricanes.

Víctor López said: “As President of the Area one of my key concerns was ensuring our athletes could continue training. I received calls and was

NACAC NEWSLETTER Volume 1 - 2018

HAITI PREMIER MEETING

WORKING TORWARDS A BRIGHTER improve the quality of the event. Even FUTURE! though it was supposed to be a Quadrangular meet, it still showed a lot of raw talent who competed with great pride representing their country.

The Track and Field Federation of Haiti celebrated the1st Premier Meeting with Turks and Caicos during the weekend of We expect great things in the future with February 24, 2018 at their beautiful Olympic continued events of development like this Training Center facilities. one. Photos of the event show the enthusiasm and commitment of countries which have been devastated by natural turmoils.

This was the beginning of developing young athletes from the region sharing in a friendly environment with other islands to