The Cycling Federation Versus Justin Williams

While the B.N.T.U. is tidying up its house, the Cycling Federation of Belize is being taken to task.  Following the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, former two-time Cross Country Champion Justin Williams blasted the federation on social media. Well, the federation went on the defensive chastising Williams and his brother Cory, who are well-known Belizean American athletes in the sport. After competing in this year’s classic, Justin made bold comments on what he perceives as unfair treatment and threatened not return to ride in 2020 if changes are not made. Now, the brothers are registered as American riders because the federation does not recognize them as Belizean cyclists and as such they were unable to capture any of the prizes designated along the route for Belizean riders. Justin claims that the federation has also disallowed them from bringing in U.S. riders to complement a team, which he believes, hurt his brother’s chances of winning this year. Cory placed sixth in the race. In its release, the federation opens by saying that from 2006, it was “erroneous” for the Williams brothers to have participated in the Junior National Championships because they are classified s American citizens with parents who were born in Belize.

Kaya Cattouse

Kaya Cattouse, Female Cross Country Champion 2019

“The federation seems to always seems to be in a defensive mode. They are never forthcoming with information, with communication in general. So they always have to take that backseat and be in a defensive mode when members of their federation call them out. And the issues that Justin speaks off are issues that they have been trying to deal with for the past three years. He didn’t say anything, but it is high time that more people start talking out. In sports, as it relates to dual nationality, you cannot represent two countries at the same time. So they would either have to decide if they are going to be representing the U.S. or if they are going to be representing Belize. And in my opinion Duane, Belize has nothing to offer a cyclist or athletes like Cory and Justin. If they look at us, as cyclists, in here; the wealth of talent that we have and we can’t go anywhere and we can’t do anything. You win the biggest race in Belize and that’s it. What is there to do after that? It is better for them to represent the U.S.  I mean it is sad to say. I am an athlete living in Belize and what do I have to show? I have a wealth of talent and my accomplishments yes they are great, but they could have been. And in years to come that’s what I will be saying and that’s maybe what I will tell my kids and grandkids. What could have been of Kaya Cattouse? Justin and Cory have the opportunity; Justin is now on the long list for the U.S. national team. That probably will be one of the biggest things in his cycling career.”