Dalton Myers | Trials and error

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has finally settled on a date for the 2019 National Senior Championships, now set for June 20-23, 2019. There was initial confusion as to the exact date, as late last year we were told that the three-day meet would have been held from July 26-28, 2019. However, a press ­release from the national ­governing body this week has seemed to finally settle that matter.

The issue for the JAAA is that the biennial IAAF World Championships are being held much later this year, from September 27 to October 6 in Doha, Qatar, due to heat ­conditions in the Asian city during the ­‘normal’ Championship, period. This then ­created an issue for the JAAA to adjust its calendar to match the changes in the international calendar.

It was always important that the JAAA set this date very early so that coaches and athlete ­support staff could properly plan for the season. Either month, June or July, would have posed issues for some, for ­several reasons. June is the ­customary time for our event, but many coaches wanted a shift to July so they could ­better ­prepare athletes for the local ­championship leading into the World event. Additionally, USA Track & Field (USAF) has also moved its National Trials to July 25-28; so have many other ­national ­federations. Also based on the IAAF Calendar the weekend of July 25-28 will not have a IAAF one-day meet (Diamond League, World Challenge etc).

CUT INTO EARNINGS

What many will not say, though, is that a July National Championships could potentially cut into the ­earnings of some of the top athletes who usually move to their training bases in Europe so as to better ­access races, and reduce travelling expenses. On the IAAF Calendar, between June 30 2019 and July 21 2019 there are four Diamond League meetings (Eugene, Lausanne, Monaco and London) plus a few other track and field meetings across Europe in which our athletes would ­participate. This is where most athletes earn their revenue, from appearances and bonus/rollover bonus on their ­contracts by getting fast times/­better distances, or simply getting a top spot in their events. With that said, with the Trials date so far from the Doha Championship, the ­challenge will be for coaches to keep their ­athletes in form for a longer period.

We now wait to see where the Racers Grand Prix will land. Last year, we were told that it would be held two weeks later than its usual spot in early June. The ­proposed date was June 20. If that date stands, and Nationals are held the following week, then it becomes problematic for Racers athletes who would already be competing with Rabat Diamond League (June 16) and/or Ostrava Golden Spike (June 20). We will see what Racers decide to do with their marquee event.

I am sure Qatar 2019 is on every professional athlete’s mind. Most ­apparel contracts have bonus clauses which compensate ­athletes for performances at World Championships. However they also want to earn from World Challenge and Diamond League events. There is the potential to win over US$100,000 (Diamond League event and Finals). For a World Challenge meet, the winner pockets US$5,000 plus bonuses from sponsorship deals. So it is ­important that we get these things right from the get-go.

I know it was not easy for the JAAA to set the date. In fact, ­respective track and field clubs have their special interests, and may have been lobbying the body to go one way or the other. The JAAA had to also pay keen ­attention to what was happening with other jurisdictions to ensure they give our athletes the best chance of being successful.

My only challenge with the back and forth is that it creates ­uncertainty for all concerned. Athletes locally as well as those training overseas wanted to make decisions as to what they would ­target, including the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. Moving forward, I hope the JAAA will consult all stakeholders early then make a timely final decision. Our athletes are our national treasures; we have to always protect them as best as possible.

• Dalton Myers is a sports consultant and administrator. Email feedback to daltonsmyers@gmail.com or tweet @daltonsmyers