Guadeloupe Set to Host Inaugural Caribbean Games from 29 June to 3 July 2022
by Karen Rollins Jun 20, 2022
The inaugural Caribbean Games are set to get under way in Guadeloupe from 29 June to 3 July 2022.
Around 800 athletes under the age of 23 from 29 regional countries will be taking part in the event. Some of the countries competing include Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, and St Lucia.
The major sporting spectacle will feature seven disciplines – athletics, three-a-side basketball, cycling, judo, netball, futsal, and swimming. There will also be demonstrations of handisport as well as e-sport.
Barbados is sending a 23-member team led by Chef de Mission Craig Archer. In a press release Mr Archer said the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) is “delighted” to be taking part.
He stated: “A Caribbean oriented sports meet was a long time in coming, and we at the BOA are pleased to see that it is finally set to become a reality this month. These Games will afford our athletes an opportunity to compete in their respective disciplines and provide another valuable opportunity for them to gain experience in competition.”
Background to the Caribbean Games
The Caribbean Games is being organised by The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC).
The original idea for a regional multi-sports competition started in the 1960s when The Southern Games was created.
The Southern Games was considered the ‘Olympics of the Caribbean’. It was held annually in Guaracara Park, Trinidad but only featured athletics and cycling. It was initially held over a weekend but was later expanded to five days.
Caribbean Games ‘baton‘
A conch has been selected as the ‘baton’ for the Caribbean Games. The conch shell is a symbol of freedom and resistance that was used for communication and rituals throughout the Caribbean.
On 27 May 2022, the Queen Conch emerged from the waters of the city of Sainte-Rose to coincide with the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Guadeloupe. It will make its way across 32 towns before arriving at the opening ceremony.
Caribbean Games mascot
A raccoon called NOCA is the official mascot of the Caribbean Games.
According to CANOC the raccoon “is a symbol of resourcefulness, dexterity, adaptability, and cleverness. All attributes used to good effect by the organisers of the inaugural Caribbean Games 2022 in Guadeloupe.”
The Guadeloupe raccoon is a subspecies endemic to the two main islands (Basse-Terre Island and Grande-Terre) and has been chosen as an emblematic species for the Guadeloupe National Park.
The winning mascot was designed by Severine Samut.
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Good luck to all the athletes taking part in the first ever Caribbean Games!
Follow the official CANOC Facebook page for more information on the Caribbean Games –https://www.facebook.com/CANOCSports
