After gold medal runs at the CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas and the South American U20 Championships in Colombia earlier this season, Tiana Springer is poised to add more hardware to her collection when she takes her talents to Trinidad to compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
This is according to coach for the sojourn, Julian Edmonds.
Edmonds told this newspaper yesterday that he expects the star sprinter to climb the podium steps after getting into the blocks at the August 4-11 event.
“Springer is one of the best athletes in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth”, Edmonds said of the 16-year-old track standout.
Edmonds added, “I know for sure she will give a good account of herself.”
During the South American U20 event, Springer set a new 400m record after turning on the jets on the homestretch to win in a time of 53.32s in Bogota.
Springer, the CARIFTA Games 400m champion and 200m bronze medallist, was only two years old when Brazil’s Bárbara de Oliveira established the previous record of 53.44s at the Championships in São Paulo in 2009.
Springer will be joined by Javon Roberts, who won gold in the 800m at this year’s CARIFTA Games. Another CARIFTA Games gold medalist and 2023 CARICOM 10k winner, Attoya Harvey will also be at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
Malachi Austin and Dejaun Grant are the other two athletes who will represent the Golden Arrowhead. Edmonds also have a vote of confidence to the other athletes. “The Commonwealth is strong in middle and long distance running, but these are the best youth athletes that we have and I am sure they will give a good account of themselves.”The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, officially known as the VII Commonwealth Youth Games and informally as Trinbago 2023, is a youth sporting event to be held in Port of Spain.
In excess of 1000 athletes and para athletes between the ages of 14-18 will participate in seven sports managed by 500+ officials.
The Commonwealth Youth Games is an invaluable springboard for the stars and leaders of tomorrow, contributing to the further development of youth sport throughout the Commonwealth.
The Games have traditionally taken place every four years with the first event being hosted in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000.
