Young sprinter’s fate hinges on MRI

National youth athlete Kaden Joseph could know by midweek if he will be allowed to represent Antigua & Barbuda at this weekend’s Carifta Games in Curacao.
The athlete’s fate hinges on the results of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) carried out on his left knee following a dispute as to whether or not an injury to the knee could affect his performance at the games.
The athlete’s removal from a 19-member team named to represent Antigua & Barbuda at the games turned into a public battle last week with his coach, Evan Jones, declaring that the move was a personal one perpetrated by head of the athletics association here, Everton Cornelius.
Cornelius, in denying the claims, said the athlete was removed from the team after attempts to have him take an MRI one week ago proved futile.
A meeting between the parties and the Minister of Sports, EP Chet Greene, on Monday, reportedly resulted in the new agreement.
Young and upcoming female sprinters Joella Lloyd and Bliss Soleyn, headline the team to Curacao.
The 14-year-old Lloyd, who specialises in the 100, 200 and 400 metres, will compete in the under-18 girls’ category as she seeks to make her mark at the noted Carifta meet. She will also run as part of the 4×1 relay team.
She is joined by Rianna McDonald (400, 4×1 and 4×4 relay), Abigail Dyett (100, 200, 400 and 4×1 and 4×4 relay), Ryanne Small (400 and 4×1 relay) and Dahlia Barnes (long jump, triple jump and 4×1 relay) in the under-18 division.
Also part of the
impressive line-up is overseas-based and former junior sportswomen of the year Soleyn, who will contest the under-20 girls’ division.
Soleyn, who is currently at the Ohio State University, will compete in the 100 and 200 metres. She is the lone under-20 female competitor in the team.
Carrying the country’s flag in the boys’ under-18 category are Darion Skerritt (200, 4×1 and 4×4 relay), Jalen Dyett (400, 4×1 and 4×4 relay), Sheldon Noble (long jump, triple jump and 4×1 relay), Taeco O’Garro (triple jump and long jump),  Barack Matthew 100 and 4×1 relay) and Joseph (100, 200 and 4×1 relay).