Bermuda’s team that was scheduled to compete at the cancelled Central American & Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Mexico City have been granted special permission to take part in the Ben Weider Legacy Cup in Toronto.

The CACBBFF Championships were cancelled after a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City last month, killing more than 200 people and toppling many buildings.

“The BBBFF is pleased to advise that the team which was due to compete at the recently cancelled CAC Championships will now be competing at the Ben Weider Legacy Cup to be held in Toronto on October 21,” said Mark Simons, the Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president.

“The event’s organisers have opened the competition, which is normally for Canada, the US and Mexico, to athletes from Bermuda and the Caribbean ... No one wanted to go to Mexico City after the earthquake on September 19.”

Vail Sheldon Seebaran, the secretary of the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation, said: “The safety of all persons attending and participating at the championships is our main priority.

“The CACBBFF continues to have in its thoughts and prayers the various countries within the Caribbean and Mexico who continue to be affected by the unfortunate natural disasters and weather and wish them continued strength in rebuilding their lives and communities.”

The CACBBFF Championship was scheduled to be held from September 29 to October 1 at the Ferocarrilero Theatre, with Bermuda’s 13-member team among the competitors.

Bermuda’s team is comprised of Jefta Miller, Kyle Santucci, Shaqir Richards, Alex Chum, Sheldon Effs, Julian Johnson, Bernard Opoku, Sunder Singh, Arlene Basden, Kai Miller, Tiffanie Smith, Sabrina Burgess and Melissa Smith.