The international governing body for track and field has listed the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium as a Class 2 facility.
The 15,000-seat facility that has an estimated cost of $30 million was certified last week by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). According to the Certified Athletics Facilities list, posted on the IAAF's website, The Bahamas is among 416 countries in the world with the Class 2 certification. Only 97 facilities in the world are considered Class 1 by the IAAF; Jamaica's and Trinidad and Tobago's facilities are slated in the top list.
Other major Class 1 stadiums from around the world including the National Stadium in China, London Olympic Stadium, and the Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange stadium, the home of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Certified Athletics Facilities list was last updated by the IAAF on Friday, March 1, 2013.
Beynon Sports Company, Quli Group of Companies and representatives from the IAAF assisted The Bahamas government with getting the certification.
"Today I am pleased to inform you that this stadium - with the seating capacity of 15,000 seats, a running track that meets IAAF certification requirements - the national stadium is ready to receive our guests," said Dr. Daniel Johnson, minister of youth, sports and culture. "Adjourning this stadium is a full service track and field facility, our first Thomas A. Robinson stadium that has been fully refurbished and has now been certified, and is ready just for striping. These games will be like none other like you've seen before. There is no facility in this region that boasts this compliment of facilities, none. One can be used as a warm-up track, ... for small games, ... for training, winter training and other events. It is important to note also that three technical teams have assessed our new renovated facilities. Three technical teams of the highest order have for the past month been working to fully assess these facilities, and today they have confirmed that they are indeed world class events, and world class standards."
The stadium is the home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and the Bahamas Football Association (BFA). It was officially opened on February 25, 2012.
The facility is a gift to The Bahamas from the People's Republic of China.
The facility's infield will be inspected by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). It is currently being raised to a level that meets FIFA's standards.

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