The upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays Bahamas 2015 is on course to be the best yet, according to an IAAF delegation who recently completed a site visit to Nassau, The Bahamas, the host city of the upcoming event. IAAF Senior Vice President Bob Hersh & Technical Director for Competitions Paul Hardy completed the two-day site visit on Tuesday February 7, and both said they were satisfied with the progress made thus far.
"The purpose of the site visit is to check up on the preparedness of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the facility. We have site visits to go in and look things over, speak to the organizers of the event and make sure we are satisfied that everything is on course. It turns out everything is on course, and we are very satisfied with this site visit," Hersh said.
Hardy said: "We are very happy to see that the LOC is really on track. They gained a lot of experience from the 2014 event and probably more important a lot of confidence. You can really see in the organizing members that they have the experience and confidence now, and that has given them the ability to move forward in a positive and efficient manner. It also gives us the confidence to leave here knowing things are in very good shape."
Noting that events are very complicated to plan, Hersh said there will always be challenges, but the key is making sure that there is awareness of what these challenges are and what the needed steps are to ensure everything is moving on course. During the two-day site visit, all matters related to event presentation, athletes accommodation, dining, transportation and the general organization of the IAAF World Relays were discussed.
"We want to enhance the event. We want to create a great atmosphere in the stadium even better than last year. We are trying to build upon the success of last year's event," Hardy said. "We talked about some new ideas because we do not just want to replicate what we did in 2014."
LOC Chairman Keith Parker said the plan on both sides is to produce a fantastic event once again.
"It was fantastic in 2014, and we are all determined that it is going to be better this year," he said. "Having the IAAF experts here to talk to and meet our team is very helpful to us, as it will ensure the event is even more remarkable than last year."
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vice Chairman of the LOC Mike Sands said verbally the LOC is satisfied that normal progress is being made.
"We asked for a written analysis and once we receive it we will review it, and fine-tune what needs to be fine-tuned to ensure come start day which is some 72 days away, that we will be ready to have 'Bahamazing' edition number two," he said.
Last year, the inaugural IAAF World Relays attracted almost 30,000 spectators and millions of worldwide television viewers. Both Hersh and Hardy noted that on both sides, there is a passion and superb team ethic to deliver an even bigger and better event.
"Yes, it is going to be better than last year," Hersh said. "It really can only get better and we are all hoping to build on last year's success, because we've created a terrific event."
Hardy said: "The word has spread around the world and we are doing our best to encourage more federations and more top athletes to be here. We want to make sure the experience for everyone is as good as it can be. We want to make it the absolute best event for everyone participating in this event."
The IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015 will be held on May 2 and 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, starting at 7 p.m. each evening. The junior segment will start at 5 p.m. each day.
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