Bermuda withstood a last-minute bid from Guyana to earn the right to host the 2020 Carifta Games.

Guyana threw their hat into the ring at yesterday’s Carifta Congress in Bahamas after Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and French Guiana had withdrawn their bids.

However, despite all of their efforts Bermuda got the nod to host the annual regional junior track and field championships for a second time in eight years having previously done so in 2012.

“We were very excited and what impressed everyone and it made it easier to decide was the professional presentation that we gave,” Donna Raynor, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, said.

“At first there were five countries who were bidding for 2020; Bermuda, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and French Guiana. These countries withdrew their bid and then there was a bid from the floor from Guyana.

“Because of our process all bids had to be in last year but this country was still trying to get their bid in and they brought their minister.

“So it was very lively conversation in the congress and eventually after quite a number of rounds the congress finally agreed that they did not follow the process and therefore the bid would go to Bermuda.

“As you know our infrastructure is already in place so not much that we would have to do to the track and the presentation covered all areas of the games from the Carifta logo to the organisational chart, what type of accommodations etc. Also they all know we put on such a great show in 2012 so they all wanted to come back to Bermuda.”

Raynor said hosting an event of this magnitude will be “a great boost for Bermuda”.

“The amount of spectators that came to Bahamas this year from numerous countries will definitely increase our tourism numbers and our economy will benefit,” she said. “These islanders love Bermuda and they are all excited to come back. The last time a lot of countries came on charters and they are already talking about that. We had a great experience in 2012 and everyone enjoyed it and so are looking forward to it again.

“Yes, this is a great and massive undertaking but we have the template already in place for Carifta 2020 and we will just have to follow it.

“The running of the Carifta Games does not change just the place changes.

“Of course our big thing is to get volunteers on board and funny I have already received e-mails, Whatsapp, Facebook messages that persons are ready to jump in and assist.

“We have to get Bermuda behind us and we can make this great again. We are going to have such a great marketing plan that people are going to want to jump on board.

“As my theme was the last Carifta it will be the same for Carifta 2020 — ‘SPORTS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER’ — and we truly did that in 2012; filling the stadium to capacity which included locals and internationals and having to turn people away at the gate.

“I am very excited about this.

“Our major challenge will be to start preparing our athletes tomorrow for Carifta 2020 so we will be well represented on the track and make Bermuda proud.

“All of this work begins tomorrow.”