No Milo Western Relays this year No Milo Western Relays this year

Western Bureau

Meet director Ray Harvey says the Milo Western Relays are off this year because of logistical challenges in moving the meet to St Catherine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the first time since its inception in 1978 that the meet will not be held. Despite being in doubt for the last two stagings because of the Montego Bay Sports Complex's (MBSC) track condition, the event still took place but at the GC Foster College in St Catherine.

Harvey, who said his team didn't even get as far as submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Health and Wellness told STAR Sports, that had the MBSC been available, they would done everything possible to host the meet there this year.

"The relocation of the meet from Montego Bay to G.C. Foster College is unbelievably difficult under normal circumstances, so in the time of COVID-19, where we would have to spend a week on St Catherine, we don't have that kind of time," Harvey said.

Health conditions

"This decision is only because of health conditions. Over the years, we would have overcome everything else, we ran the meet when there was only the track, no light, no water, no stadium facility. We ran the meet even when we had to go to G.C. Foster College.

Harvey said staging a meet next year would be dependent on the state of the pandemic by then.

Petersfield High School coach Machell Woolery describes the cancellation as a 'big blow' to local athletics.

"A lot of top clubs, as well as high schools, compete at the meet as a part of preparation toward Champs or a World championship event. Not having the Milo Western Relays is a real dent in the track and field season. We only have two relay carnivals in Jamaica, in Milo and Gibson Relays, so not having one will be a challenge. And also it is a qualifying meet for Champs.

"This is a big blow, especially for me, as one of the schools that have been preparing for Champs and international events, whether it be Carifta Games or World Juniors. It will be a challenge to find quality meets to perform at nearby."