By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 7, 2021 – The Bahamas, a group of islands and cays extending like a sting of pearls just off the coast of Florida to the northern tip of Cuba, has long been recognized internationally as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
With a total population of slightly less than 400,000, globally it is considered a tiny nation in every sense of the word, but this week at the Tokyo Olympic Games, The Bahamas again demonstrated that it is one of the world’s “superpowers” in sports, winning gold medals in both the men’s and the women’s 400 metres.
On Friday, August 6, Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the women’s 400 meters, running a personal best (48.36) and defending her gold medal from the 2016 Rio Games. She becomes just the second woman in Olympic history to win back-to-back titles in the 400 meters, after Marie-Jose Perec, the 1992 and 1996 champion.
Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic earned silver, and Allyson Felix of the United States took bronze.
A day earlier, Steven Gardiner lifted the spirits of the entire nation, winning gold for The Bahamas in the men’s 400 metres.
As reported in The Nassau Guardian, “Gardiner, who has suddenly earned legendary status in athletics, circled the track in the men’s 400 meters (m) in 43.85 seconds at the Japan National Stadium, recording a new season’s best time and tying the world’s leading time for the year. It’s also his second-best time ever, just trailing the 43.48 seconds he ran for the world title in Doha, Qatar, in 2019.”
The Guardian’s article added that Gardiner “also becomes the second Bahamian to win back-to-back individual global titles in athletics, joining Tonique Williams, who won the Olympic title in the women’s 400m in Athens, Greece, in 2004 and the world title in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005.”
Noting that a “humbled Gardiner said he just looks forward to returning home and celebrating with the Bahamian people,” The Guardian quoted him as saying: “It has been a long journey to this Olympic Games. The support that I have from the Bahamian people is overwhelming and I am proud and fortunate to be representing such a great country. The support of The Bahamas makes this victory even more special. For God and country, thank you, and I dedicate this victory to my beloved people.”
Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis called the feat one of epic proportions and said he looks forward to celebrating with Gardiner when he returns to The Bahamas.
“The country is elated after this gold medal win at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Steven held off a world-class field to bring the gold medal home for The Bahamas,” said the prime minister. “His accomplishments are making him at a young age already one of the great athletes in our country’s history. The Bahamas is proud of Steven Gardiner. On behalf of the government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I congratulate Steven, his family and coaches for this historic win. I look forward to visiting with him when he returns to The Bahamas.”
According to the government’s remuneration program for Olympic gold medalists, both Gardiner and Miller-Uibo will pocket $60,000 their winning performances on.
Leader of the Opposition Philip “Brave”Davis said he was up early in anticipation of the run and after watching the race, he said it is with great joy and almost speechless excitement that he congratulates Gardiner on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on the historic feat, according to The Guardian.
“Our Abaco boy from Moore’s Island has once again made our entire nation proud,” he said. “Steven Gardiner’s performance is representative of the Bahamian resilient spirit. He worked extremely hard over these past few years and endured a year’s delay to compete at these Olympic Games. He remained focused and goal oriented. As we celebrate, we thank Steven Gardiner for his tremendous talent and for representing The Bahamas with excellence. Again, congratulations, and I wish our ‘Golden Boy’ continued success.”
Commenting on Miller-Uibo’s performance, Mr. Davis posted on his Facebook page: “Who else felt their heart soar while watching Shaunae Miller Uibo bring home another GOLD for The Bahamas?! She made greatness look easy, setting a national and area record with a time of 48.36. Congratulations Shaunae Miller-Uibo – you are now a two-time Olympic Champion with back to back titles. We are beyond proud!”
VIDEO OF SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO WINNING THE WOMEN’S 4OO METRES
https://www.facebook.com/quintin.laroda/videos/989477718485907
VIDEO OF STEPHEN GARDINER WINNING MEN’S 4OO METERS
https://www.facebook.com/ginger.moxey/videos/522533005681886
