With 22 Caribbean nations participating, the Games maintained their reputation as the premier junior athletics competition in the region, showcasing the future stars of Caribbean sport. 

Team Saint Lucia delivered a commendable performance, particularly in the field events, continuing the country’s growing reputation as a force in Caribbean athletics.

Leading the charge was Destinee Cenac, who captured gold in the Girls Under-17 High Jump with an impressive clearance of 1.72 metres, one of the standout performances of the meet.

In the field events, Saint Lucia continued to build on its strengths:

• Naya Jules secured silver in the Girls Under-20 Pole Vault, clearing 2.95 metres
• Denzel Phillips earned bronze in the Under-20 Boys Discus with a throw of 53.24 metres
• Randall Monroe added another bronze in the Under-17 Boys Long Jump, demonstrating depth in the jumps programme

These performances underscore Saint Lucia’s deliberate focus on technical field disciplines, an area where the country has steadily gained regional competitiveness.

The overall standings once again reflected the dominance of traditional regional powerhouses, with Jamaica topping the medal table, amassing a significant number of gold medals and continuing its legacy of excellence at the CARIFTA Games. 

Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas also featured prominently among the top teams, highlighting the highly competitive nature of Caribbean athletics at the junior level. 

While Saint Lucia did not finish among the top tier in total medal count, its quality performances and podium finishes in technical events signal meaningful progress and a narrowing gap with larger nations.

Saint Lucia’s showing at CARIFTA 2026 is part of a broader national effort to strengthen athletics development. The country has been:

• Investing in youth programmes, identifying talent early through schools and national trials
• Focusing on field events, particularly jumps and throws, where athletes like Cenac, Jules, and Phillips are excelling
• Leveraging regional and international exposure, allowing athletes to compete and train abroad
• Building on recent global success, including Saint Lucia’s historic rise in athletics on the world stage

The results from Grenada reinforce that Saint Lucia’s strategy is yielding results. With a new generation of athletes gaining experience and confidence, the country is positioning itself not only for future CARIFTA success but also for representation on the global stage.

With continued investment and support, Saint Lucia’s young athletes are poised to convert regional success into international breakthroughs in the years ahead.