Track cycling has been removed from the programme at the inaugural Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe after the proposed venue withdrew, although late replacements have been found for athletics and netball.
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) Executive Board has vowed to stage the Games “against all odds”, with the event already having been postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Caribbean Games are due to be held from June 29 to July 3 this year, but organisers were dealt a blow when the owners of two of the planned venues – the region itself for track cycling and the City of Baie-Mahault for athletics and netball – pulled out of staging the events.
That prompted an emergency CANOC Executive Board meeting, where President Brian Lewis, secretary general Keith Joseph and Guadeloupe 2022 Organising Committee President Alain Sorèze provided updates on the steps taken in response.
Track cycling had been due to be staged at the Vélodrome Amédée Détraux, a former host venue for the European Cycling Union European Track Championships and a French match against Canada in tennis’ Davis Cup, but no alternative site could be found in Guadeloupe, which is a French overseas region.
Athletics had been due to be staged at Fiesque-Duchesne Stadium, but has been moved to the Roger Zami Stadium in Le Gosier, which has a new six-lane track.