El Atletismo en las regiones apartadas de Colombia

Abstract

The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, located in the Colombian Caribbean, is a dream destination known for its natural beauty, Creole culture, and tranquility. Despite its potential in athletics due to genetic similarities with residents of other Caribbean islands like Jamaica and the Bahamas—countries renowned for international athletic competitions—this Caribbean territory remains unrecognized in Colombia’s national athletics honors. The only historical reference is Mirtha Brook Forbes, a prominent San Andresana athlete from the 1990s. This reality necessitates an investigation into the barriers hindering the development of athletics in the region, such as the lack of suitable facilities, insufficient support for local athletes, and administrative obstacles. A comprehensive diagnosis will analyze factors including infrastructure deficits, lack of resources, and limited visibility of athletics in local sports policies, utilizing qualitative and quantitative tools such as surveys, interviews, database research, and observations. The aim is to propose a public policy model for sustainable sports management that not only fosters local talent but also integrates regional and national authorities in a joint effort to strengthen athletics in the region, paving the way for international participation and the comprehensive development of the archipelago's inhabitants. This study serves as a starting point for future research in this field.