CANOC’S executive committee gathered in Tortola, British Virgin Islands for the first time since the games were cancelled. CANOC President Steve Stoute said the meeting focused on the viability of the association, and the future of the games. “I can only say that our organization is making every effort to ensure that these games become a reality Stoute told Around the Rings. “It has certainly been a quest of the regional Olympic movement for a long time.”

The games were to take place in Port au Prince, Trinidad and Tobago from July 12- 19 but concerns about H1N1 virus killed the games. The Trinidadian government reportedly lost $2.7 from the cancellation.

CANOC is drafting a bid document to present to potential host countries including Trinidad and Tobago. Stoute said he does not expect the bid process to be very competitive and is hoping for at least one host by CANOC’s next meeting, Dec. 3 – 4 in Port au Prince.

The sport program would have be boxing, tennis, track and field, netball and volleyball. Stoute said swimming could also be added depending on facilities.

The committee explored having the games in 2010 but there were too many conflicts for Caribbean nations including the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. A 2011 Caribbean Games would serve as a prelude for the Pan American Games later that year in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“We acknowledge that the Pan American Games are late that year but we feel that earlier in the year would be a good launching pad and good preparation for many of the regional athletes,” Stoute said. In addition to looking at the Caribbean Games, the committee formed a commission to promote Olympic solidarity among members through education, training. The commission would also help Olympic committees gain greater access to funding.

The CANOC Flag is now flying at the Barbados Olympic Association. This flag was presented to CANOC by the Organising Committee for Caribbean Games 2009 at the CANOC 6th Annual General Meeting in Curacao (Neth. Antilles) on 10 January, 2009.

With twenty-two days to go before the 12 July opening ceremony.It is a heartbreaking moment says Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany.

Romany was commenting on the decision taken by the T&T Government that due to the Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus the twin-island Republic was withdrawing as host nation for the inaugural Caribbean Games.

The announcement was made earlier today at a press conference hosted by the T&T Minister of Health,Senator Jerry Narace .Also in attendance and speaking at the conference were T&T Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs,Gary Hunt,Mrs Denise Demming,chair of the Caribbean Games 2009 Local Organizing Committee and Elton Prescott,Honorary Secretary-General of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees(CANOC).

Romany confirmed that the TTOC supports the decision taken by the T&T Government.

“Siince the virus was first identified and detected in the USA last April, the TTOC was mindful of the risk potential the H1N1 virus could pose to the 2009 Caribbean Games.

These concerns were further heightened on 11 June when the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared a global H1N1 flu pandemic.

The T&T Olympic chief stated that the priority has to be the well-being of the athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and volunteers from the twenty-seven Caribbean nations.

“It is a blow for the Caribbean Olympic Movement. You are looking at nine years of planning and dreaming. Words cannot adequately describe the disappointment. However, we must remain resolute and indomitable”

“It has been a deeply emotional experience .Our collective dedication and commitment to the Olympic movement, the Olympic ideals,spirit and values has been put to the test.It was an honour and a privilege for T&T to be asked to host the inaugural Caribbean Games.

What the Caribbean Games meant to the region’s youth and athletes inspired us [T&T] to undertake our responsibilities and obligations with a deep sense of mission and purpose.There was a lot of expectation and responsibility placed on us[T&T]“.

Romany said he would like to apologise to all the athletes , coaches and Olympic Committees throughout the Caribbean for the disappointment and inconvenience caused.

“I know the hard working and dedicated Caribbean Games 2009 Organizing Committee Board of Directors, staff and volunteers who have so valiantly responded to the call will feel a profound sense of disappointment. But the risks regarding the realities of H1N1 has to be accepted and addressed”

Romany thanked the local, regional and international sponsors and partners who would have stepped forward to offer support either monetary or value-in-kind. He also noted the support given by the Minister of Sport, Gary Hunt and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

“I am sure it was not an easy decision for Minister Hunt and his colleagues to make”

The TTOC president acknowledged that the eventual fate of the 2009 Caribbean Games will be decided by the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC).

“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has communicated its position. It is now left to CANOC to determine the status of the 2009 Caribbean Games” said Romany.

In or about 2000, Heads of Caribbean Governments determined that in order to further the development of Sport in the Caribbean, there is need for the Celebration of Games for Elite Athletes on a periodic basis. The Heads of Government also acknowledged that the Olympic movement is an essential vehicle if such games were to acquire appropriate recognition and accreditation.<br />

Upon its establishment in 1999, one of the prime initiatives of the Caribbean Caucus of National Olympic Committees was the celebration of games for senior athletes and the adoption and expansion of the Carifta Games for Junior Athletes.

When the Caucus was succeeded by CANOC in July 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic it accepted the mandate to establish and administer the Caribbean Games.

The Caribbean Games will provide a platform to showcase elite Caribbean Athletes as a means of motivating young sportsmen and sportswomen to aspire to international standards and achievements. It is intended that the Games should expose Caribbean Audiences to the Best of the Caribbean Athletes.

The Caribbean Games will be held quadrennially, in the year immediately following the Olympic Games. A maximum of 7 sports may be in competition among which must be 2 team sports to be chosen from football, basketball and volleyball. Non-core sports must be selected from among Olympic Sports disciplines.

The events chosen for the Caribbean Games 2009 are Tennis, Track &amp; Field, Boxing, Netball and Volleyball.

Qualifying standards are to be established in consultation with the international and regional federations.

Individual Sports have no age limit; while there will be an age limit to participants of Team Sports. Teams will be selected by their National Olympic Committees.

At a Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development of CARICOM in October 2005 in Guyana, the Trinidad and Tobago Government confirmed that it would host the inaugural edition of the Games.