Sport in Barbados
Barbados is famous for snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, golf and lots more. According to Edwin Doran Sports Tours, cricket is the most popular sport in Barbados, as it is in most of the Caribbean. It’s a way of life and there are cricket teams to be found all over the island. Cricket is played all year round, with the exception of the hurricane season in September. There’s more cricket on Barbados than any other Caribbean island.
Barbados and the Commonwealth Games
Barbados has attended all Commonwealth Games since the Vancouver 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning medals in Weightlifting, Athletics, Cycling and Boxing. This includes Gold in Weightlifting at the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Gold in Athletics at Kuala Lumpur 1998 and a Boxing Bronze at Melbourne 2006.
Barbados has 64 athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games this year. A few of those attending include Alexis Clarke, Althia Maximilien, Jade Bailey, Leonard Harewood and others.
Barbados has 64 athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games this year. A few of those attending include Alexis Clarke, Althia Maximilien, Jade Bailey, Leonard Harewood and others.
Famous Athletes
Shakera Kiella Valena Reece, (born August 31, 1988) is a Barbadian sprinter, who competed at the 2011 Pan American Games.
Reece competed for Rice University. At Rice, Reece competed in sprinting events, such as the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash.She ran 11.34 in the 100 meter dash in 2007 in Turks & Caicos to place first at the CARIFTA Under-20 championships.
Reece competed for Rice University. At Rice, Reece competed in sprinting events, such as the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash.She ran 11.34 in the 100 meter dash in 2007 in Turks & Caicos to place first at the CARIFTA Under-20 championships.
Sheena Gooding, (born August 1, 1981). She was the first OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) runner in history to win four straight 800-meter indoor championships and duplicated the feat at the outdoor championships.
In total between the OVC indoor and outdoor championships, Gooding won 14 first-place medals, including two indoor mile championships and four relay titles.
She also left Austin Peay holding four individual school records plus two more.
In total between the OVC indoor and outdoor championships, Gooding won 14 first-place medals, including two indoor mile championships and four relay titles.
She also left Austin Peay holding four individual school records plus two more.
Andrea Blackett (born 24 January 1976 in London) is a Barbadian athlete who specializes in the 400 metres hurdles. She is also an assistant women's track coach at her alma mater, Rice University.
As a collegian, Blackett earned a national title as a member of Rice Owls' indoor 4x400 metre relay squad in 1997. Her highest individual finish came in a 2nd place effort in the 400 metres hurdles in 1997.
Her greatest achievement in athletics is the gold medal she won in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in a games record time. She also competed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester but was unable to retain her title.
Blackett represented Barbados in six IAAF World Championships (1997–2007). She qualified for the final four times and in 1999 finished fourth. She competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, qualifying for the semi-final of the 400m hurdles and she competed in the 400m hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She has also represented her country at the World Indoor Athletics Championships.
Blackett was also selected in the Bajan team for the 2008 Olympics but was ruled out due to injury and retired from international competition.
Blackett has a personal best of 53.36 in the 400m hurdles, in Seville which is also a national record for Barbados. She set the Barbados 100m hurdles record of 13.39 in 2003 in Liège.
As a collegian, Blackett earned a national title as a member of Rice Owls' indoor 4x400 metre relay squad in 1997. Her highest individual finish came in a 2nd place effort in the 400 metres hurdles in 1997.
Her greatest achievement in athletics is the gold medal she won in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in a games record time. She also competed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester but was unable to retain her title.
Blackett represented Barbados in six IAAF World Championships (1997–2007). She qualified for the final four times and in 1999 finished fourth. She competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, qualifying for the semi-final of the 400m hurdles and she competed in the 400m hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She has also represented her country at the World Indoor Athletics Championships.
Blackett was also selected in the Bajan team for the 2008 Olympics but was ruled out due to injury and retired from international competition.
Blackett has a personal best of 53.36 in the 400m hurdles, in Seville which is also a national record for Barbados. She set the Barbados 100m hurdles record of 13.39 in 2003 in Liège.