The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation congratulates Michelle Smith for winning a Gold Medal for the Virgin Islands in the 400m hurdles at the 49th Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifta) Games.
Smith ran a time of 58.61, which is not only a new Carifta Games record and a V.I. National Junior record, but it is also the world’s fastest time for 2022 for the Under 18 age group. Smith is the first Virgin Islander to set a Carifta Games record.
(Link to the 400m Hurdles video: (449) CARIFTA49: 400m Hurdles U-17 Girls Final | Day 2 | SportsMax TV – YouTube)
Michelle Smith — the 15-year-old daughter of Keith Smith, VITFF president and Mireille Sankatsing Smith, six- time Carifta medalist — participated in the U17 age group but posted a time that was faster than the U20 age group.
Smith’s time qualifies her for the World Athletics U20 Championship that will be held in Cali, Columbia, Aug. 1 – 6. This is the second event Michelle Smith has qualified for. She previously qualified for the 400m; however, because of her age, she can only enter in one event.
Michelle Smith is the 4th athlete to win a Gold Medal for the V.I. The overall number of gold medals won by the V.I. is now five.
Previous gold medalists for Carifta are:
Jimmy Fleming won the first gold medal for the V.I. in the 200m 21.65 Barbados 1985
Sanny Eugene won gold in the 800m 2:12.75 Tobago 2005
Allison Peter won gold in the 200m 23.99 St. Kitts and Nevis 2008 and in the 200m 23.29 Cayman Islands 2010
Carifta stands for The Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifta) Championship of today is the world’s best Junior Championships. It is where the great Caribbean athletes usually get their start. Olympic gold medalists such as Usain Bolt and Shaunae Miller-Uibo came up through the Carifta Championships.
Funding for the team was provided in the form of competition grants from the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation.
For more information, contact Keith Smith Sr. – VITFF president, at keithsmithsr@gmail.com or 277-1123.
