Impressive performances at this month's Carifta Games in Bermuda have landed 10 local athletes a place in the Island's team for the Junior CAC championships in Mexico from June 25 to 27.

And now national track and field coach Gerry Swan is urging other athletes to strive to reach the qualifying marks in the remaining weeks, reminding them that only performances in recognised competition or meets will be accepted.

Keen to avoid another qualifying controversy such as that which surrounded the build-up to Carifta, Bermuda Track and Field Association are outlining guidelines which all athletes must follow.

“Resident athletes achieving qualifying performances in overseas competitions must have had prior written permission from the Bermuda Track and Field Association to compete in the overseas competitions,” explained Swan.

Based on the times, heights and distances achieved by several local athletes at Carifta, the coach said he was confident that Bermuda's contingent would increase if these athletes continued to attend training with the national team at the National Sports Centre on a regular basis - something that he again urged them to do.

Swan indicated that the Games in Mexico would be much stiffer than Carifta with prominent track and field nations such as the hosts, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Guatemala heading a number of Spanish speaking countries who did not compete in Carifta.

“Eligible local athletes who are interested in being considered for the CAC Championships are reminded that training with the national squad will commence at the National Sports Centre on Monday, May 3 and they are to declare their interest preferably before that date,” said the coach.

Similar to Carifta, there are two age groups for Mexico, the under-17 and under-20 for both female and male athletes.

The 10 athletes whose places have been confirmed for Mexico are:

Zindzi Swan (long jump and high jump); Lovintz Tota (long jump and 100 metres); Deon Brangman (high jump); Eulanne Douglas (200 metres); Latroya Darrell (triple jump); Miquel Lambert (200 metres); Cody Lima (1500 and 3000 metres); Jade Darrell (long jump); Kijaun Wilkinson (long jump) and Andrea Jackson (100 metres).