The Bermuda National Athletic Association and the Bermuda Olympic Association have come together to host a first Women’s Sports Expo here in late April at Fairmont Hamilton Princess.BNAA President Donna Watson said the Expo on April 26 and 27 will cover a broad range of topics pertaining to women in sport, but stressed also that the two-day event will encompass all sports in which women participate, and that other national sports governing bodies (NSGBs) are being invited.Initial idea for the Expo was first put forward by national track coach Troy Douglas months ago and Watson confirmed yesterday that the hope is to bring in a top international athlete to speak at the event.“We have a few invitations out and are just trying to get a confirmation,” said Watson who stated that the event organisers are also extending invitations to several other overseas athletes to speak at the banquet. Those approached include Kellie Wells, third place in the 100 metres women’s hurdles at this year Olympics, Dara Torres, oldest female swimmer in the Olympics to medal from the USA and 12 time Olympic medallist, Chrissie Wellington, four-time winner of the World Ironman Triathlon championships and Anjali Forbes-Pratt, para Olympic medallist, said Watson.The organisers will also be hoping to have Bermuda’s female Olympians Arantxa King, Jillian Terceira, Jessica Lewis, Katura Horton-Perinchief at the Expo, though Watson has confirmed that triathlete Flora Duffy will not be attending as she is preparing for final exams and graduation from university in Colorado.The event, which has a slogan “Women in Sports Rock”, will begin on the Friday evening with a banquet, while the Saturday activities will start with a 5k run/walk and a one mile run for girls. Following the run at noon, the Expo will begin with various international female athletes and Bermuda’s female Olympians speaking throughout the day.“There will be various demonstrations, Zumba, skipping, gymnastics, etc, and a panel discussion at the end of the day to discuss women in sports, health issues, sports and education and various other topics,” explained Watson, a former top middle distance runner.Also planning to come in for the two-day Expo is Bermuda’s first Carifta Games medallist Branwen Smith-King (mother of Arantxa King) and Esther Maynard, who was the technical delegate for the Carifta Games last year.“We are hoping to have international participation in the 5k run/walk with the hope that we get some repeat runners from the Bermuda Marathon Weekend,” said Watson.“We have also been in contact with our neighbours from the Caribbean who are very interested in sending their female administrators and athletes to the event. We have reached out to all of the NSGBs to invite athletes and administrators to the event. We also had conversations with the Department of Tourism prior to the election.”Added Watson: “We are looking forward to this event and feel this is going to be another huge event for Bermuda and our visitors. We are hopeful that charities like the Leukemia Association, breast cancer and the Heart Foundation come out and compete in the 5k run/walk and participate in the Expo as I believe they can bring a lot of value and information to our women.“We will be specifically targeting our young girls by visiting the schools and making presentations and inviting the schools to participate.”