Age limits and an increase of representatives for each country are among the sweeping changes made to the format for next year’s Carifta Games in Martinique.

The alterations will allow the Games to fall in line with other international championships, with a vote taking place recently by the Caribbean members.

The number of athletes per country has been increased from 70 to 80, while the age limit of participants has been raised from Under-17 to Under-18, similar to the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships.

“Bermuda was one of the countries who voted for the change to Under-18 as it is a very difficult transition from Under-17 to Under-20 especially for the athletes who have a late birthday in the year,” said Bermuda National Athletic Association president Donna Watson.

“Also in a lot of the throwing events and hurdles the sizes implemented and heights of the hurdles is a big difference.

“This also puts everything in alignment with the World Youth, World Juniors and the Youth Olympics as far as age groups are concerned.

“This will surely benefit our athletes giving athletes like Kyrah (Scraders) another year in the lower age group. Unfortunately, Justin (Donawa) did not benefit this year as the change will be in effect next year.”

Changes were made to the shot put, discus, javelin and the sprint hurdles.

In the boys' Under-20 category, 16-year-old athletes will be required to throw 1.75k discus, 6k shot put, 800g javelin and jump over 0.99/110 metres hurdles.

The 300 metres hurdles has also been extended to 400 metres, while the girls' pentathlon has been changed to the heptathlon and the boys’ heptathlon has been altered to octathlon.

“As far as the extra ten athletes, Bermuda and several of the smaller countries did not agree with the change,” added Watson.

“This really benefits the bigger countries like Bahamas and Jamaica and could disadvantage the smaller countries as far as medal as medals are concerned. We have to go with the vote and the majority won.”

President of British Virgin Islands Athletics Association, Dean Greenaway, agreed with the changes, while Garth Gayle of the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) confirmed his country moved for the motions.

"Jamaica moved the motion for the number of athletes per team to be increased from 70 to 80 and it was supported in a vote 11 to eight," said Greenaway.