Dyke expresses delight at new proposed date for Champs

As the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) look more likely to take place this year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Michael Dyke, coach of defending girls champion Edwin Allen High School said they are excited about the development, which he believes will put their preparation back on track.

It was reported on Wednesday that a new proposed date of May 11 to 15 was set for the championship and is now awaiting government approval. The news comes as a relief for organisers, sponsors, coaches, athletes, parents and fans who are worried about missing out on the prestigious event for a second straight year.

"It's a welcome decision at this time, knowing that we have been preparing and hoping that there will be a championship. It seems as if things will materialise, so we are excited. We are happy the athletes will get a chance to compete," Dyke said.

Dyke admitted the past few weeks have been very challenging in terms of preparation with the increased level of uncertainty around Champs, especially as most of the girls harboured memories of last year's disappointment.

"The few weeks of uncertainty definitely affected our preparation. A number of our athletes started to lose the confidence that there will be a Champs. It took a lot more out of us to motivate them because they still have the memory of last year's disappointment and fear that the same thing might happen again," Dyke said.

"I had a meeting with the girls this morning where I tried to explain to them what is coming out in the media, that things seem to be pretty much back on track. I've also asked them to revive from that sort of down feeling they were having, so we can get back at it in the few weeks that we have."

When asked about their aspirations of mounting a title defence, Dyke told STAR Sports that they are definitely looking forward to it, despite knowing it's a season that might not be spoiled with high-quality performances.

"Definitely, we would want to continue defending our title, as we have been champions for a number of years. We are preparing and, whatever the situation, we have to accept it in these times," Dyke said reluctantly.

"Regardless of what happens, it's going to be challenging to get the quality performances. Competition would have really helped where that is a concern, and the fact that they have been out of competition for such a long period, we have to be mindful - with injuries and so on. We have to think about their physical and personal health."