By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff ReporterFOR THE third time, Jamaica will be hosting the Caribbean Islands Swimming Championship (CISC) from July 1-6 at the National Stadium Pool, Kingston.
The Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), led by president John Eyre, launched the 15th biennial championships at a press briefing yesterday at the Courtleigh Hotel, Kingston. About 550 participants are expected from the 20 invited countries and most will be using the event to aid their qualification bids for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Janelle Atkinson, Alia Atkinson (no relation to Janelle) and Angela Chuck have qualified for Jamaica and Eyre said the presence of these swimmers at the championship will add another level of competitiveness.
"The presence of Janelle, Angela and Alia will heighten the intensity of the competition," Eyre said.
"This will also be a tremendous opportunity for swimmers to impress international coaches as they will be looking closely at the times," he said. Jamaica first hosted the competition in its inaugural year in 1976 when swimming was the only event challenged and again in 1994. In recent years water polo and synchronised swimming have been added and Eyre said this reflects the growth of water sports in the region.
Sports Minister Portia Simpson Miller was present for the launch and lauded the ASAJ for its work in developing the sport.
"In recent years, swimming has been making headlines and capturing national attention ... It is the fruit of the dedicated efforts of our swimmers and the very hard work of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica," she said. The minister also said: "To add more excitement to the event, the fact that FINA has made the swimming competition a 2004 Olympic Games qualifying event, it is bound to attract the cream of the crop in swimming."
The staging of the competition will cost the ASAJ $16.28 million and Eyre said revenue from the champs is expected to be about $8 million.
"We still need a primary sponsor," said Eyre.
