As the countdown to the 53rd edition of the CARIFTA Games ticks down, Team Dominica has completed its safe arrival in St. George’s, Grenada, and kicked off its first on-site training session at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, the official competition venue for the event. Team liaisons confirmed that the opening practice was focused on helping athletes acclimate to the track and facility conditions, giving them time to adjust ahead of the three-day championship that draws top junior track and field talent from across the Caribbean region.
Organized by the Caribbean Free Trade Association, the CARIFTA Games stand as the most prestigious annual junior track and field competition in the Caribbean, attracting hundreds of rising athletes from more than a dozen member territories each year. The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from April 4 to 6, with opening event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on April 4, followed by the official opening ceremony at 2:30 p.m. the same day. This year marks the fourth time Grenada has hosted the Games, having previously welcomed Caribbean athletes in 2000, 2016, and 2024. The Caribbean Athletic Association awarded hosting rights to Grenada after original host nominee Guyana withdrew from its commitment to stage the event.
In the lead-up to the opening, delegations from across the region have been arriving in Grenada throughout the week, with most teams already confirming their final competition rosters. Host nation Grenada has assembled a 65-athlete squad to compete on home soil, while smaller territories including the British Virgin Islands have also finalized their athlete lineups and support staff, signaling full readiness for the tournament.
For Dominica, the 2026 CARIFTA Games mark a historic milestone: the island nation is sending its largest and most competitive delegation in the history of the event, with 13 fully qualified athletes set to compete across multiple disciplines. The squad includes several current Dominica national record holders, and many of the team’s competitors are ranked as legitimate medal contenders heading into the tournament. Team morale is reportedly high following strong performances across the qualifying season, with local sporting officials optimistic that Dominica will secure one of its best-ever results at this year’s regional championship.