In a decisive move to protect the competitive prospects of national athletes, Barbados Sports Minister Charles Griffith has authorized emergency training arrangements for the national swim team following the abrupt closure of the National Aquatic Centre. The shutdown, implemented by the Ministry of Health on Thursday afternoon, occurred mere hours before scheduled training sessions and threatens to extend for a minimum two-week period according to officials.
Sharon Small, Vice President of the Barbados Aquatics Sport Association, identified critical malfunctions within the facility’s filtration infrastructure as the primary reason behind the closure. This development posed a significant threat to athletic preparations with the prestigious CARIFTA Aquatic Championships scheduled for April 3–8 in Martinique.
Minister Griffith swiftly intervened to secure exclusive access to the swimming pool at the Ursuline Convent for the national squad. This arrangement will remain in effect continuously until the team departs for the regional championships. Emphasizing the strategic importance of the event, Griffith stated, ‘Our swimmers must not be disadvantaged in any way in their bid for podium places on the regional swimming stage, which serves as crucial preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.’
The 31-member Barbadian team, which achieved an impressive haul of 32 medals at the previous championships, will be led by a seasoned coaching staff comprising Dave Farmer, Antonio Petrolanda, and Damien Thorne. The delegation will be managed by Kay Chandler, with Dawn Boxill providing physiotherapy support. Andre Johnson and Tikeisha Pounder will fulfill chaperone responsibilities for the athletes competing at the Pierre Samot Aquatics Centre.