INTERNATIONAL Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Area Representative and North America, Central America, and Caribbean Association (NACAC) president Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook says the sport’s world governing body was pleased with the results of this year’s Olympic Games in which North, Central America, and the Caribbean for the first time won more medals combined than those claimed by Europe.

“This is something we have set a target on… it is not something that has happened by accident. One of the things that we emphasised to the smaller territories is “just don’t go to a competition and get blown away in the first round”, McCook told the Jamaica Observer as yesterday’s graduation of the IAAF/JAAA Technical Officials Level One Course at the GC Foster College of Physical Education & Sport in Spanish Town.

Ten of the 24 graduates received IAAF Level One Certification which required a grade of 80 per cent and over. The course ran for two weeks between December 2011 and January 2012.

McCauley McIntosh, Patrick Henry Jr, Andre Brown, Janiel Smith, Mario Haughton, Keneisha Samuels, Mauricia Carroll, and Troy Barnes all received official certification from the sport’s world governing body, while the remaining 14 graduates received Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA)/GC Foster College of Physical Education & Sport Certificates.

McCook, who was guest speaker at the ceremony, said that “Once you get to the finals then you’re in the top eight in the world and anything can happen. We all feel that the United States and Jamaica and other identified countries ought to get these medals, but people are stepping up and getting medals.

“I’m extremely pleased with the broad base of not only participation, but the progress that we’re making in the region,” McCook said.