Building on Success: A Path Forward for Track and Field in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The recent performance of the Turks and Caicos Islands team at the CARIFTA Games is deserving of recognition and applause.

Anthony Gardiner

The team’s efforts on the regional stage reflect both dedication and promise, and special commendation must be given to the athletes who proudly represented the country. The three medals won at the 2026 Games marks a positive step forward for athletics in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The country has two Olympians, including Delano Williams, who competed for Great Britain in the 4x400m relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Such milestones highlight the level of talent that exists within this small island nation. While these accomplishments are encouraging, they also present an opportunity to reflect on how track and field can continue to develop in a more structured and sustainable way.

Across the region, countries such as Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago have consistently excelled in athletics. A key factor in their success is the presence of well organized, year round training programmes that prepare athletes not only for national competitions but also for regional and international events.

 In the Turks and Caicos Islands, events such as Inter High continue to showcase the best talent the country has to offer, however, training often becomes more intensive only in the months leading up to these competitions and to CARIFTA. While this approach can yield success locally, there may be opportunities to strengthen preparation for the higher level of competition seen at regional meets.

One way forward could be to study and adopt elements of the systems used by more established athletics programmes in the region. Greater exposure to international training methods could help to provide insight into athlete development, conditioning, and competition readiness.

 For example, structured opportunities for local coaches to observe programmes in countries like Jamaica and The Bahamas could help identify techniques that contribute to success in sprint events, particularly in the 100m to 400m range. Similarly, for middle and long distance events, lessons could be drawn from countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia, both of which have established themselves as global leaders in endurance running.

Another important area for development lies in early athlete engagement. Establishing structured programmes for younger age groups particularly between primary school aged could lay a strong foundation for long term success. Over time, a consistent and well supported development pathway could produce athletes who are better prepared for the demands of regional and international competition.

It is important to recognize that meaningful progress in sport does not happen overnight.

Improvements require time, consistency, and sustained investment. However, with careful planning and a commitment to development, the results can be significant.

The achievements at the 2026 CARIFTA Games demonstrate that the Turks and Caicos Islands possess both the talent and the potential to compete on the regional stage. By building on this foundation and exploring opportunities for growth, the country can continue to strengthen its athletics programme in the years ahead.

As the nation celebrates its athletes, it also has an opportunity to look forward with a focus on development, collaboration, and long term success.