CARIFTA Gold Medalist Demetrie Meyers Returns Home
Earlier in the week, we told you about the fourteen-year-old Belizean American who stunned the Caribbean over the weekend with his gold medal performances at the Fiftieth CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas. Well, Demetrie Meyers and his father and coach Gregory Meyers are in Belize. They arrived today to celebrate the two gold medal victories with fans and supporters at home. Meyers is also here to compete in this weekend’s National Track and Field Champion. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Fourteen-year-old Demetrie Meyers has returned to Belize having secured two gold medals at the Fiftieth CARIFTA Games in Belize City. The gold medals were won in the Boys under-seventeen fifteen hundred and three thousand meters races. Demetrie Meyers and his father Gregory Meyers arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport this afternoon to a waiting audience of supporters outside the departure area.
Demetrie Meyers
Demetrie Meyers, Track and Field Gold Medalist
“I feel amazing. It is really an honor to be representing not only Belize but representing the people of Belize it is, I feel really proud of myself and I feel I honor Belize really well and I have more to come next year.”
Reporter
“What went through your mind when you were standing on the podium with that Belize flag draped over you?”
Demetrie Meyers
“I was, I accomplished a lot but I know that I have more in me and next year it is going to be not only me medaling hopefully but a bunch of people medaling. I have been training since I was in fourth grade but for this I haven’t been training that long, because I did cross country and then I did indoor and this was my first outdoor meet so it has just been a little bit of speed work and then come out here and medal.”
Reporter
“Have you always had this sense of confidence about you?”
Demetrie Meyers
“I wouldn’t say this sense of confidence, but I have always been motivated to try and compete because I wouldn’t say I would be scared to compete against anybody. I just feel confident and up to the challenge to do my best. I think, cause my dad has said before that out of all his cousins he was the least talented, so I think there is much more talent in Belize just sitting here not being us3ed and if we use it properly there is a lot of great more to come.”
Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson was among the first to greet Meyers and his father at the PGIA. We spoke with Minister Ferguson.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
“It is important for the country of Belize. Demetrie is only fourteen years old. So he has a very long way to go. And I want to give his father kudos for giving him all the time and effort to make sure he reached this stage. Last year he won silver medal at the CARIFTA games, this year he came back with two gold medals. So that is an important milestone for the country of Belize and I think all Belizeans just applaud him for the great effort and gold under the Belizean flag.”
Paul Lopez
“How do you think your ministry can contribute to his further growth and that of other young athletes? I don’t know that much has been given to him by Belize in terms of the development he has up to this point.”
Rodwell Ferguson
“Well, up to this point I give his father all the credit. As a country, as ministry of sports every time I go on the air I reiterate that we must provide more for sports that we can reach out to our athletes. Gradually I can see government is coming together and making sure to increase the budget for sports. Wednesday coming we are going o have an important meeting with the National Sports Council to figure how we can direct every activity towards the athletes for our country. We will see a complete change in sports for the next year or two.”
Meyers then participated in a small motorcade through the streets of Belize City. A handing over ceremony was held thereafter at the National Sports Council’s office where the young athlete received a check for two thousand dollars, land documents for a parcel of land, and a gift from the Belize Tourism Board.
Ian Cal
Ian Cal, Director, National Sports Council
“Definitely he made us proud of what he has done. It showed that Belizean athlete has much talent to grow and to do. We have seen athletes coming out of Belize and brining in gold, silver, bronze medals, and the Demetrie did an exceptional job because he didn’t just bring one gold medal he brought us two consecutive gold medals to this country. Demetrie today you are in the presence of no other than the Minister of Youth and Sports, Rodwell Ferguson and Minister Usher as well. You have representatives from BTB both directors are here as well because you put Belize on the map have made Belize proud. So, you have representation from BTB and the DYS as well. So with that said we would like to make our presentations to you, to thank you for putting us on the map and looking forward to ensuring that young athletes follow in your footsteps.”
Reporting for News Five I am Paul Lopez.
