Athletes honoured with motorcade through Bz. City

They might not have all come home medallists, but that doesn’t mean Belizean athletes didn’t do us proud in the Central American Games in Guatemala earlier this month. Today, a grateful nation put together a small symbol of thanks for their efforts. Jacqueline Woods reports.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The athletes could not have received a more wonderful reception following their return from the Central American Games in Guatemala City. Despite the gloomy weather, primary school children and supporters lined the principal streets of Belize City to cheer and congratulate the delegation on their impressive performance.

Brodwick Neal, Assistant Coach

“There’s an honour, there’s a pride in going out there and represent this small nation against all these giants, in numbers, and yet come out so heroic. I think it’s just an awesome feeling. I want Belizeans to know that when we go out there, there’s so many people out there supporting us when we go out there and conduct ourselves in the right manner. And when we win the gold like we did in basketball, stadium cheered for us.”

“The performance was outstanding. I think the basketball team performed high above the expectations. We went out there in a lot of strain, a lot of difficult circumstances, but despite those things, we performed well in Guatemala City.”

The team participated in twelve disciplines and brought back eighteen medals. Brodwick Neal, an assistant coach, says even though the game was competitive and there were some injuries, the Belizeans persevered and did their country proud.

Brodwick Neal

“Fierce. We had a couple teams out there such as Costa Rica and Honduras that was bound to knock us down, but we stood tall.”

Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.