Sunday 11, April-2004 by Sherrylyn Clarke in Bermuda

HAMILTON – It was a good Friday for at least one Barbadian athlete here at the 33rd CARIFTA Games.

Dario Alleyne brought the class act to the National Sports Centre when he won Barbados’ first gold medal and two of three overall – one of each colour – won by Bajan athletes on the first day. He had earlier won a silver medal and Ryan Ross claimed a bronze.

Alleyne brought the crowd to its feet with a commanding run in the Under-17 Boys’ 400 metres, slamming the field by about 20 metres in 48.44 seconds, his personal best in that event. Guyana’s Dax Danns, who was also third in the 100 metres in 11.18, was second in 49.47 and Jamaica’s Gawain Gray third in 49.57.

“I feel happy and tired,” said Alleyne.

He admitted he did not think he was going to win the race, even with the way he ran in the heats.

“I said I would just go out there, run and hope to finish because I was feeling a bit tired. I just went out there and tried and got my results.”

What made the run even more remarkable was that Alleyne had about an hour to recover after placing second in the 100 metres and this level is much more competitive than Inter School Sports.

The race was so close that both he and Jamaican Ramalo Tuner were timed at 11.13 seconds and there were some tense moments as everyone waited for photo finish to separate them. Turner was 11.123 and Alleyne 11.127 – below his best of 10.80 seconds.

“I am not satisfied with the time. It was windy, resisting,” Alleyne said.

“I was going to drive out as long as possible and then just get out and run. It does not make any sense going for a time if it is going to be slow anyway, so I just tried to get a medal,” he added before hurrying off to prepare for the 400 metres. He will be going after a third medal in the 200 metres.

Click to learn more about other CARIFTA gold medals

Thursday 15, April-2004

by Julie Wilson

“DARIO BARBADOS’ GOLDEN BOY” read the banner held aloft by double gold medallist Dario Alleyne’s parents Hilda Massiah andRichard Kellman at the Grantley Adams International Airport Monday afternoon.

Scores of family members and otherwell-wishers packed the Grantley Adams International Airport to welcome the victorious Barbados Carifta team home from Bermuda.

Members of the team proudly displayed their gold, silver and bronze medals and hugged each other before they departed for their respective homes, no doubt to continue celebrations.

Stephen Skinner, head coach of the team which returned home with 11 medals, including five golds, said team members were extremely pleased with their performances and stressed they had learnt from the experience.

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Although the team tied for fourth position with Grenada with 11 medals, Skinner said the major interest was notcollecting medals.

“We did not really concentrate on medals. It is personal best that we were looking for and people giving 110 per cent after they acclimatised to the weather. It takes people a couple of days just to get there but as you can see, from the last day we really performed.

“I am happy that everyone performed well.I just wish that everyone could have acclimatised earlier and got into the game faster.”

Skinner singled out Daley Harris, Sheldon Roach, Dario Alleyne and Jesse King for their exceptional performances.

Compliments of the Nation News

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