by EZRA STUART in Guadeloupe

One of the finest athlete to emerge from the Caribbean has urged the region to keep the CARIFTA flag flying.

Three-time Olympic Games gold medallist Marie-Jose Perec made this call after she was honoured by her native country, Guadeloupe, during the CARIFTA Games which ended on Monday.

She noted that the annual Easter event is what shapes Caribbean athletes to be world-beaters on the international stage.

"As we can see, all of them, they come through this competition. This competition is very important. We need it. We can't let it disappear. It is a great opportunity for young Caribbean athletes to start out and show what they have," Perec said.

Perec, who did 200 and 400 metres double at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games for France, was also the 400 metre champion at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

She believes one of the reasons for the Caribbean's rise on the international arena is the pride and passion of its people.

"We run with our heart and we want to prove to the world that we come from little places and we are going to achieve something," she said.

"All over the place, when you look at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, you see all the gold medallists are spread to the little places, not only America or England. It is different today."

The 37-year-old, who was also an international model, began her athletic career at the CARIFTA Games when she represented Guadeloupe, two decades ago.

"Actually, I ran in 1985. I think I was fifth in the 100 metres but I never got a chance to win it. Maybe, this is my regret," she said.

But after switching allegiance to France, Perec says she is happy to be back home in Guadeloupe where she grew up in the town of BasseTerre.

"It feels great. I just love it – the people, the energy. It's overwhelming with everything going on. It is just wonderful," Perec said.

"Actually when I come here the people always welcome me and they applaud. They love their sports people. We are very shy people but the people know how to tell you, 'we love you' here," she said.

She said it was an honour for Guadeloupe to be staging the CARIFTA Games once again after a 20-year break.

"For us, this competition is great because all the kids, especially the French-speaking athletes, now have the opportunity to exchange with the Caribbean because of our language problem.

"We don't really speak English or Spanish but for us, it is a great opportunity because the kids have this connection with their Caribbean neighbours. All of that is great for the future for the youth here," Perec said.

Perec, who also won the 400 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991 and in Gotenborg, Sweden, in 1995, says she will always cherish her double golden run at the Atlanta Olympics.

"It is what everybody remembers. It is unusual, especially for a girl who came from such a little place. It was something humongous, something extraordinary."

ezrastuart@nationnews.com