Olympic 4x400m champion Chris Brown has entered a new world as a meet promoter, and SPIKES catches up with him ahead of the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational on Sunday, which features fellow sprint stars Kirani James and Veronica Campbell-Brown.

How did you dream up the idea for the meeting?

The idea came to me two years ago, and I decided to take up the challenge. I love a challenge and the intention was to organize the event last year, but we had to postpone because the 15,000 arena [the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium] was not certified in time.

The stadium is now finished and ready for competition. It will give the people of the Bahamas the chance to see world-class sprinters and the type of competition you might see at a Diamond League event in Europe or Asia. I hope the event will open the doors for the juniors and also present the chance for our elite athletes to compete at home. It will give all our athletes a chance to stay motivated.

What does your role entail?

I wanted to put my name to the front of the event, to set the tone and let people know it is a Chris Brown production. I’m using my country to back me and use their support to come out for the event.

Having my name attached to the event has helped. My colleague and friends believe in me and respect what I’m trying to do. They appreciate I’m trying to put my name to an event of this magnitude while I’m still a runner.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Right now it is getting sponsors to come on board. We are chasing the same dollars as the Carifta Games [a Caribbean under-17 and under-20 competition] but we are getting a lot of support, so next year, when we are not staging the Carifta Games, we’ll get even more.

It is difficult balancing your training commitments and fulfilling the role of meet promoter?

It can be challenging at times but once I’m at practise my mind just focuses on training. Once I leave for home I’ll think about meet promoting. I probably work about six or seven hours a day as a meet promoter.

I’m also a family man with two kids [aged one and aged three], so each night between 7-8.30pm is family time, as it is on a weekend. Any time outside of that window and I’m looking for problems!

Olympic champ Kirani James (lane five) will be racing at Chris Brown’s (lane six) event on Sunday.

What qualities does a good meet promoter need?

I think any relationship has to be genuine, loyal and honest. You need to respect individuals for who they are and what they do. My hat goes off to meet promoters everywhere, especially the ones who put on the Diamond League events.

This is not just a one-day thing. It is a daily job. It is time consuming. I have a good relationship with the meet promoters in Europe and I would like to sit down with them and ask for some advice and tips.

What are your expectations for the event?

I’m expecting every athlete to come here, perform well and put on a good performance. I also want people to see where they are with their training, relax, enjoy the place and eat some Bahamian food.

This meet is about building relationships and being able to run your race without pressure on their shoulders. I want the guys to say: ‘I’ve learned something that I didn’t know before’.

Are you confident you can fill the stadium?

Yes, that is the aspiration. Track and field is huge in the Bahamas. The number one sport. We’d definitely be looking to sell out the stadium. I’d love to see 15,000 seats sold.

Well good luck, Chris. SPIKES is rooting for you!

The Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational takes place on Sunday 13th April at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau. It is focused on sprints and jumps.

Brown has put together a stellar cast of athletes led by world and Olympic 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada, two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and the USA’s sub-13 second 110m hurdler David Oliver.

Among the top Bahamians set to compete include Brown’s fellow Olympic 4x400m gold medallists: Michael Mathieu, Ramon Miller and Demetrius Pinder, and world bronze high jump medallist Trevor Barry.