Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Merel Hanson (left), acting chairperson of the National Senior Citizens Council, congratulate members of Jamaica's senior team, including Elethia Boyd (centre) and Jerry Reid (right) on their arrival at the Norman. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Jamaica's athletes returned home with 52 medals, including 20 gold, after finishing second at the just-concluded Caribbean Senior Regional Games in Trinidad and Tobago on the weekend.

The Jamaicans also captured 21 silver and 11 bronze medals for their biggest haul in the three-year-old competition.

Hosts Trinidad and Tobago piled up an impressive 365 points, with Jamaica second on 185, followed by Barbados 131, St. Lucia 47, and St. Vincent bringing up the rear on 28 points.

Only five countries took part with Jamaica sending a team of 21 athletes and some 33 supporters to the games.

Last year in Barbados, Jamaica finished third with 23 medals including 10 gold.

Not enough entries

Beverley Edwards, manager of the female team, noted that Jamaica could have finished first had they entered athletes in all categories.

Said Edwards: "The team performed wonderful, exceptionally well, when you think of the age groups and the events they performed in.

"Some didn't even participate in these events in Jamaica but we encouraged them and they took the challenge and did exceptionally well. We are very proud of them," she added.

Former Olympian Lindy Headley captured four gold in the 60-64 category on the track, while Rudal McFarlene and Jerry Reid won four gold each in the field events.

Most outstanding female

The most outstanding female performer was 75-year-old Elethia Boyd who captured three gold and two trophies for her remarkable achievements.

Countries are invited to the games by the host country to participate in an athletics event for senior athletes or persons 49 years and over.

The aim of the games is to highlight the importance of good health and wellness, nutrition, diet and exercise to all people of the Caribbean, and the need to focus on action early in life which could allow persons in later life to enjoy the dignity of independence.

With respect to the Family Games, the intention is to highlight the need for the family to be promoted as the number one, chronic non-communicable (lifestyle) disease prevention, and support agent throughout the region, especially at a time when a number of countries are spending a sizeable amount on the treatment of lifestyle diseases.