By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

More than 1,500 room nights will be generated by visiting athletes and support staff for the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays, officials yesterday telling Tribune Business the event was likely to match last year’s $20 million economic impact.

Mike Sands, the Local Organising Committee’s chief executive and vice-chairman, said an additional 1,800-2,000 seats were being added at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium to facilitate high spectator demand.

He added that 47 countries had confirmed their attendance for the World Relays, noting that there would be more countries represented than participating in the events.

“We have 47 participating countries with 1,070 athletes, coaches and officials,” Mr Sands said. “We are occupying, in terms of accommodation, well in exccess of 1,500 rooms or thereabouts.

“That pertains to Atlantis, which is the games village, where all the athletes, coaches, officials, along with the IAAF Council and other attending delegates, will be staying.  We also have the international media that is staying at the Club Land’Or. There are also persons staying at SuperClub Breezes as well.”

Mr Sands added: “When you look at the economic impact, we do a comprehensive study following the event, but last year, for example, I’m advised that the economic impact was in the vicinity of $20 plus million.

“We also have a number of persons temporarily employed around the stadium, separate from our volunteers. We are also going to have about 20 vendor stalls for the next several days. Then, of course, there is hiring of the buses for transportation to and from the airport, as well as to and from the games village with the athletes. There are also rental cars for delegates and other persons, so the economic impact will be significant.”

Mr Sands described ticket sales for this year’s event as being “right to our expectations”, adding that confirmation of Jamaican sprinter and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, US sprinters Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, and the Bahamas’ ‘Golden Knights’ was a major draw for spectators.

“Ticket sales are right to our expectations in that we are sitting here now going row by row to see if there are any available seats anywhere around,” Mr Sands said.

“Right now we are installing 1,800-2,000 additional seats in the end zone because the ticket demand is showing us one week out, there is still very high demand.

“I’m sure the announcement and the confirmation of Usain Bolt and his entire Jamaican team, as well as the United States team led by Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Sanya Richards-Ross; the hype and expectation built around that, coupled with the confirmation of our own Golden Knights not to be left out, has also contributed to that.”.