Tuesday, October 31, 2017

#By Eric Rose

#Bahamas Information Services

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard, in a press conference on Monday, thanked those who have helped to develop the elite athlete subvention programme on behalf of the ministry.

#He also saluted those who have benefitted from it over the years.

#The minister especially thanked those who are now a part of the newly-formed panel that is tasked with revising the programme.

#Said Minister Pintard at the Kendal Isaacs Gym: “During the various courtesy calls with various federations and associations, the ministry promised to work with them in revamping the subvention programme which has been a source of concern for many federations and athletes throughout the country. “Today we are here to announce the committee that has been assembled, who are already engaged in the work of revamping the subvention system.”

#This process is expected to take approximately six weeks.

#Panel members include Director of Sports Tim Munnings, National Sports Authority (NSA) Chairman Vaughn Roberts, Senator Jennie Isaacs-Dotson, Consultant Grafton Ifill, Jr., Gold medalist Tonique Williams, Businessman and former elite athlete David Morley, Attorney Koschina Marshall, and the Bahamas Olympic Committee Chairman (once elected).

#Munnings pointed out that the elite athlete subvention scheme was created in 1996, primarily to assist with athletes returning to The Bahamas to compete. At that time, he said, only about six athletes benefitted. “Today, over 60 athletes are currently enrolled in the programme, benefitting from direct government financial assistance toward their competition and training expenses,” Mr Munnings said.

#“The Government of The Bahamas is pleased that the programme has contributed to the podium success of many of the participating athletes and we feel that through the improved management of the programme, we are confident that we will celebrate even more success of our athletes.”

#Mr Munnings noted that the panel assembled to review the programme was made up of former athletes and professional administrators capable of providing an objective analysis and recommendations for the future.

#The work of the committee will be done in consultation with federations, athletes and other stakeholders.

#“I want to make it perfectly clear: The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas – having seen the exponential growth in sports in the country and the successes we have been experiencing across various sporting disciplines – is not in a position to provide what ideally we would love to provide by way of funding for all of the elite athletes in the country, however we are committed to doing our part,” Minister Pintard stated.

#“Furthermore, let me say that the purpose of sports in The Bahamas – and certainly under this administration – is to not only develop elite athletes,” he added.

#“We have other objectives, as well.”

#Minister Pintard said that one of those objectives is to use sports as a “national development tool” to promote healthy living among Bahamians. An active lifestyle helps us in the fight against obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Secondly, Minister Pintard noted that the Government believes that education is “absolutely” important and sports plays a key role in assisting many Bahamians who would have otherwise not been able to afford tertiary education by way of scholarships. “In addition, sports helps persons develop various characteristics that are essential for wholesome development.”

#He added that the Government believes that sports can generate employment and be a source of revenue for many Bahamian professionals. “We ask all of our elite athletes to continue to do well in your respective disciplines and demonstrate your commitment to The Bahamas.”

#He noted that it is not uncommon for many larger countries around the globe as they seek to lure elite athletes from other countries by offering forms of inducements. “In our case, we encourage you to remain focused, loyal, and nationalistic with respect to your country and we will do our part, within our financial capacity, to assist in your continued development,” Minister Pintard said.

f Tuesday, June 20, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard pledged a more comprehensive approach as his ministry seeks to address the needs of each segment of the sporting community, ranging from elite athletes to the underserved youth of the inner cities.

#One of the focal points for the aforementioned elite athletes will be a refinement of the government’s subvention programme.

#“During the course of the next calendar year, we intend to do a variety of things that continue to build a strong infrastructure in sports throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. I have had the opportunity and great pleasure to meet a number of the federations both here in New Providence and in Grand Bahama.

#“There are so many amazing iconic figures who have dedicated their lives to sports in the Bahamas. Some have been recognised and celebrated and many have been overlooked. This is also true about our athletes,” Pintard said.

#“We have many elite athletes, some who are benefitting from subvention while others are languishing, wondering when their subvention will come through. In much of the same way I commit myself to respecting every staff member within the ministry to ensure that everyone feels valued and that their opinion matters, this is the same attitude I wish to engender among all senior staff members when interacting with federations, associations and athletes.

#“It is a tragic thing when an athlete who is preparing to compete with the best from around the world has to be preoccupied wondering that if he or she does not perform well at this one particular meet, are they likely to be at risk of losing their subvention.”

#In its current form, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, through the Department of Sports, offers assistance to developing, intermediate and elite athletes to assist with the development of sport.

#Its website states: “As an athlete progresses, the status is changed from developing to intermediate, and finally to elite status. It is the responsibility of the federation to supply the department with information regarding the development and progress of the employee. Any assistance received is directly related to the established status of the athlete.”

#A subjective process, the system constantly came under fire because of what many athletes considered an “unclear” determination of the criteria needed to achieve a particular status. There was also the matter of developmental athletes as subvention for them could conflict with the rules necessary for them to maintain their amateur status.

#Pintard said it is an issue that should be resolved succinctly to give athletes a greater opportunity to focus being ambassadors of the country.

#“As a people we are not always good at celebrating people who pour out their lives out on our behalf as a nation, because when they don’t excel in a particular race, we become armchair quarterbacks assessing what they could have and should have done, when the truth is many of our athletes are ranked in the top 100, in the top 50, in the top 10, in the top four and have been ranked number 1 in the world. If we are honest as a people are we are to take our vocation, whatever our occupation is, most of us, including Bahamian politicians, are not ranked in the top 10, in the top 100, in the top 100, in the top 20,000 in their particular vocation around the world. It is important for us, in dealing with our athletes, not just as citizens but especially as policy makers, to be careful of the mindset we put them in when they are training to be ambassadors for our country,” he said, “It is our intention over this fiscal year to refine the subvention programme at the Ministry with responsibility for sports – to reach out to our athletes and to have a very clear and transparent conversation with them about what out policy is going forward and how we might better serve them. To make this overture, not just directed to a select group of sports, but to demonstrate appreciation for the wide range of sports in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

#An emphasis on local development and previously neglected facilities will also be a focal point of the new administration.

#“One of the best ways to judge a government is how they deal with those that have been forgotten. In Grand Bahama, the Sporting Complex, which will be the site of the National Championships that begin in just a few short days, has been neglected over time. It is our intention to do several things: One – Put in place dynamic leadership that will manage the entire process and the upgrade. Two: we will ensure that resources that are needed are provided as we work in partnership with the private sector and with various federations that use the facilities. As an addendum to this point, I had the opportunity to tour the South Beach Pools. It was a heartbreaking experience. It is in a near dilapidated state. The staff has almost been forgotten. This is not an attempt to assign blame to anyone, it is all of our responsibility. It is important for us to show all of our team members that we value them and care about their welfare and so we intend to work with the Ministry, the Aquatic federation, the NSA and with the communitties that surround the South Beach Pools to ensure that: one – we upgrade the facility, two – we consistently maintain it, three – that we have a clearly defined policy on the use of the facility,” Pintard said, “I use the pools only as an example of the approach of this administration. We intend to reach out to those who have been forgotten. It is our intention to demonstrate respect for our people, concern and care, because it cannot be right that political figures live large and the people who gave us this right to serve them are suffering.”

#Pintard said his ministry seeks to encourage Bahamians to become more active in order to foster better community spirit and active family lifestyles.

#“Sports is not merely to create elite athletes in the Bahamas. It is also designed to create camaraderie among young people and there are thousands of them, many of whom have conflicts with each other. I grew up playing basketball under coach Moon McPhee in Grand Bahama and the lessons taught by coaches to many of us that sit in this place made the difference in terms of the kind of people we turned out to be,” he said, “There are many inner city young people who do not have the benefit of being a part of any organised sport and it is our intention over the next calendar year to put in place a more vigorous outreach program so that we might regain many of our young people. Our Minister of Health underscored the tremendous lifestyle health problems that we have in the Bahamas, so the department of sports will also play an active role in helping to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage exercise and proper eating habits. Our role goes beyond merely creating a feeder system where we produce junior and senior elite athletes; we are interested in the development of all of our people.”

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#IT IS time for the government to revisit its approach toward assisting developmental and elite Bahamian athletes on the subvention programme, according to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson.

#He suggested the government and sporting federations work on creating a programme based on a system of endorsement and scholarship opportunities.

#“The subvention programme has run its course and I think we have to review it,” he said.

#“What we want is on the developmental side, getting young people out of high school into college and opening that door. We want a scholarship style approach for these student athletes, and then for the professional athletes, we really want them to wear our brand, wear the flag and win. We want endorsements from the country like they would have for Adidas or Nike or any other sports country. That will support our brand as a permanent fixture on the world’s stage.”

#In its current form, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, through the Department of Sports, offers assistance to developing, intermediate, and elite athletes to assist with the development of sport.

#Its website states: “As an athlete progresses, the status is changed from developing to intermediate, and finally to elite status. It is the responsibility of the federation to supply the department with information regarding the development and progress of the employee. Any assistance received is directly related to the established status of the athlete.”

#A subjective process, the system constantly came under fire because of what many athletes considered an “unclear” determination of the criteria needed to achieve a particular status. There was also the matter of developmental athletes as subvention for them could conflict with the rules necessary for them to maintain their amateur status.

#Several federations opted out of the programme officially while others attempted to manage the programme in a limited capacity.

#“We take the recommendations of the federations in terms of selection but the programme itself needs complete revision. But the decision will not rest in one person, the decision will go to a review panel and the process will be transparent,” Dr Johnson said.

#“We need to meet more. Most of our athletes have to train abroad. The thing for us to do is to get a major training facility and a sports academy here in the Bahamas so more of them can train at home. We need a sports medicine institute, a sports science institute and to have our athletes in one place and that would go a long way in alleviating many of our issues.”

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Minister of youth, sports and culture, Dr. Daniel Johnson.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE the development of infrastructure dominated much of his contribution to the 2013/14 Budget debate, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson also outlined several areas of sport which will be impacted under his ministry’s portfolio.

#A greater scrutiny on local sporting organisations, a reassessment of the elite athlete subvention programme, and further assistance at the College of the Bahamas are issues that will be immediately affected by what Dr Johnson called his administration’s “developmental budget.”

#“My ministry recognises the need for continued friendship and partnership with sports and civic organisations alike. These organisations are able to extend the reach of the government into areas of sport that we would not normally go into. The public is advised that we are expecting and requiring a greater degree of accountability once again levelling the playing field,” he said. “Grants awarded to organisations will be issued up to the recording obligation time and we would like to ask people that if you are receiving public funds, we would like for you to give the public some account. All reports will be carefully scrutinised to determine their authenticity and we ask people to also show us your developmental agenda. This is a developmental budget and we are focused on young people in developmental agendas.”

#The Elite Athlete Subvention programme, which has fluctuated in growth over the years, including a 10 per cent decrease in 2011 and new additions in 2012, will be reviewed in 2013.

#“We are pleased we have had this ongoing relationship of athlete subvention which provides financial assistance for the development of our elite athletes all around the world and they go on to represent our country in various core sports,” he said. “However we know that there is much more that we can do and there is much more to be done. The programme will be reviewed this year to ensure that it meets the criteria and we must step up to it. That includes athletes making themselves available to represent the country on national teams when required.”

#In May, the government presented the College of the Bahamas with a financial contribution for their student athlete scholarship programme.

#Dr Johnson said the ministry looks to continue to support the programme which he said has significant implications for the development of athletics in the Bahamas.

#“It is not that well known that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture pays a lot of attention to its student athletes and although we got some flack about cutting the budget to COB, I also want the public to know that this ministry remains the single largest external contributor to the athletic department of the College Of the Bahamas,” he said.

#“Thus far the ministry has contributed over $400,000 to this total programme, inclusive of $82,000 received last month. This goes toward scholarship funds for student athletes and, since the implementation of this programme, the college has nurtured 14 student athletes who have made national teams in basketball, track, soccer and volleyball. Currently, of 82 student athletes at COB, 57 of them receive aid from the ministry and of those athletes 13 of them came from family islands.”

Thursday, June 11, 202

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE local sporting community continues to react to reports of massive budget cuts to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#Freedom Farm Baseball League Director and former PLP Senator, Greg Burrows, expressed concern at how the recent cuts will affect youth sports development.

#A significant reduction in expenditure from last year’s budget of $24,081,380 to around $18,938,187 (a $5,143,194 decrease) has meant that one of the areas that will receive less funding is youth sports development.

#“As a member of the sporting community with a focus on youth development, I viewed with dismay slashes in the current budget totalling $5,143194.00 within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. This is not the first time the government has made significant budget cuts in this Ministry, adversely affecting our youth and athletes. Specifically, contributions to sports, civic and youth organisations were reduced by $60,000.00 from $300,000 to $240,000.00.”

#During his tenure in the Senate, Burrows also served as chairman of the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority. As a founding member of the FFBL, Burrows has seen it grow into one of the most populated youth sporting organisations in the country which features hundreds of students athletes on an annual basis and its alumni includes several minor league baseball prospects. He questioned what he called the “human cost” of the budget cuts.

#“There is an urgent need to do more, not less, for our youth if we are to properly prepare them to confidently and competently receive the baton of leader of this country to continue its sustained growth and development. Essentially, this necessary preparation was one of the principal reasons for the establishment of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. The Progressive Liberal Party maintains that sports and culture have the potential to become significant pillars and engines of our economy as major components of our tourism product offerings,” Burrows said. “Our youth and sports development thrust during our last term in office – branded sports in paradise – laid a solid foundation and blueprint for the way forward in building this important industry. The PLP pledges upon assuming office to continue the programme ‘Sports in Paradise.’ Additionally, we pledge to substantially support sporting organisations, our athletes and to prioritise youth and sports development as central, critical and strategic to our future growth and development.”

#The Tribune previously reported highlights of portions of the budget that will affect local sports. Subventions to elite athletes will be dropped from $1,346,150 to $1,076,920, but it’s not known how many athletes will be affected going into the preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, which has been postponed until 2021.

#In addition, aid to student athletes will be reduced from $142,500 last year to about $110,000, although there is no indication as to who and how many athletes fall into this category.

#Further to the list, there is a National Endowment for Sports, pegged at $795,000, reduced from $1,632,000 last year, among others.

Thursday, June 4, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Romell Knowles, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, is calling on the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to not cut the subvention of elite athletes, considering that it is critical for them to receive every penny they can get to prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#Knowles sent a letter to the ministry after it was reported in The Tribune on Tuesday that the subvention for elite athletes is expected to be cut by over $269,000 as outlined in the budget presented in the House of Assembly last week by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest.

#Knowles, whose BOC is expected to receive about $40,000 in the projected budget, said with the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, being postponed until July, 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still anticipating great performances from our athletes who are under a number of constraints.

#“The restrictions of competitions, coupled with restrictions to train for the most prestigious sporting event in the world, The Tokyo Olympic Games, brings with it a set of abnormal circumstances and expenses for our athletes,” Knowles wrote.

#“In addition to preparation expenses, which I believe may increase due in part to share demand, the mental preparation may be an additional but necessary expense, our athletes may be forced to endure.”

#Knowles said preparation for these games have their own peculiarities and with them come additional expenses.

#“In this regard, we respectfully ask that you escalate our request for consideration to delay any and all reduction to elite athletes’ subvention who are in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Knowles continued.

#“Given these difficult set of circumstances brought on by an abnormal COVID-19 environment, elite athletes may require more financial assistance, not less,” he said.

#In that regard and on behalf of the elite athletes, Knowles said they are requesting that the ministry delay any reduction in subvention so that our athletes may be better positioned to prepare, qualify and ultimately perform at their optimum at the most prestigious sporting event in the world – the Olympic Games.He said they are looking forward to engaging in a dialogue with the ministry and the government in this regard, as well as funding that is expected to be provided to the various sporting federations and associations.

#“Sporting federations find themselves having to provide more assistance in these most difficult times,” Knowles said.

#“It is our hope there are no reductions in federation grants in this Olympic cycle. Hoping to bring resolve and comfort on behalf of our elite athletes. I am available to discuss this and other matters soonest.”

#In the budget report, the recurrent expenditure for the ministry is estimated to be around $18,938,187, about $5,143,194 less than what was expended in last year’s budget of $24,081,380.

#This significant reduction in the budget is expected to drastically change the landscape of sports in the country in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Friday, June 26, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedi.net

#As the new norm for the world of sports continues to take shape in the midst of COVID-19, World Athletics yesterday revealed its plans for the postponed 2020 Olympic Games in launching what they call ‘Road to Tokyo.’

#World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, produced an online tool to help athletes, media and fans track the qualification process for next year’s Olympic Games.

#Searchable by discipline, country and qualification status, the tool will provide a real time view of each event over the course of the Tokyo 2020 qualification period which ends on June 29, 2021.

#The new qualifying standards were released as a result of World Athletics joining the International Olympic Committee in calling off the games in March and subsequently postponing it from July 24 to August 9, 2020 to July 23 to August 8, 2021 due to the spread of the coronavirus.

#In its announcement, World Athletics stated that the qualification principles remain unchanged with athletes able to qualify through entry standards and then the World Athletics World Rankings.

#Before the games were called off, the Bahamas Olympic Committee had at least six Bahamian track and field athletes qualified to compete.

#They included first time sprinter Samson Colebrooke and returning for their second or third times are hurdler Pedrya Seymour, quarter-milers Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner, high jumper Jamal Wilson and sprinter Tynia Gaither.

#The BOC was also hoping that other athletes and relay teams from the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, a few swimmers from the Bahamas Swimming Federation, Cynthia Rahming from the Bahamas Judo Federation and possibly Carl Hield, from the Bahamas Boxing Federation, would have also qualified for the games.

#Athletes in track and field, who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019, will remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective member federations and national Olympic committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period.

#However, due to the uneven training and competition opportunities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, World Athletics announced on April 7 that the qualification period (for all events) was suspended from April 6 to November 30, 2020.

#The other international sporting bodies have not yet released their new qualifying standards for the games, which could be in further jeopardy with the rising number of coronavirus cases in the United States. New coronavirus cases in the US climbed to their highest level in two months.

A man walks past a large banner promoting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Monday. (AP)

Monday, March 23, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With the spread of the coronavirus pandemic around the world, an International Olympic Committee member said on Monday the 2020 Olympic Games would be postponed, a decision that will affect the six Bahamian track and field athletes who have qualified so far.

#The world’s biggest sporting spectacle was scheduled for July 24 to August 9 in Tokyo, Japan, but, according to veteran IOC member Dick Pound, the games are expected to be delayed until 2021 with details worked out in the next four weeks.

#“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said as he broke the news to USA Today Sports in a phone interview. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.”

#Pound, a Canadian who has been one of the most influential members of the IOC for decades, said he believes the IOC will announce its next steps soon. On Monday, the Canadian Olympic Committee was the first country to announce that it would not have been attending the games.

#“It will come in stages,” Pound said. “We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense.”

#Bahamas Olympic Committee president Rommel “Fish” Knowles said he hopes the athletes will understand the decision was made with their well-being in mind.

Friday, February 28, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AMIDST concerns about the coronavirus, the Bahamas Olympic Committee has announced that they will continue their preparation for Team Bahamas to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 24 to August 9 in Tokyo, Japan.

#“Whilst a senior member of the IOC spoke to the press recently about the virus, we have not received an official position from the IOC, please be guided accordingly,” said Rommel Knowles, president of the BOC.

#“In this regard, we will continue to plan for the games in its usual manner.”

#On Tuesday, Dick Pound, a former Canadian swimming champion who has been on the IOC since 2978, making him the longest serving member, estimated there is a three-month window – perhaps a two-month one – to decide the fate of the Tokyo Olympics, meaning a decision could be out off until late May.

#“In and around that time, I’d say folks are going to have to ask: ‘Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?’” Pound told the Associated Press in an exclusive interview.

#With the games five months away, Pound said a of things have to start happening, including ramping up security, food, the Olympic Village, the hotels and the media. Pound said if the IOC decides the games cannot go forward as scheduled in Tokyo they will have to look at a cancellation.

#The concern for the status of the games came into question two months ago in Chin after more than 80,000 people globally were affected by the Coronavirus, which has already killed over 2,700 people, the vast majority of them in China.

#The virus has also hit South Korea, the Middle East and Europe, raising fears off pandemic. Japan has also reported four deaths as a result of the virus.

#Knowles, however, said the BOC will continue to monitor the events and will keep the public abreast of all of their developments.

#“You should be aware the welfare of our team will not be compromised,” Knowles said. “We trust the deliberate course of actions the IOC is taking, they have our full confidence along with the relevant International Sporting Federations.”

#Knowles assured the public that they will continue to monitor advisory from the World Health Organization and in the fullness of time, an official announcement will be made on the Olympic Games, which are held every four years.

#“I wish to encourage our athletes to continue their training and preparation for the games and for our National Federations to give them their full support,” Knowles summed up.

#The Tokyo Organizing Committee released the following information as it pertains to the Olympic Games:

• The preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are continuing as planned. Countermeasures against infectious diseases constitute an important part of Tokyo 2020’s plans to host safe and secure Games. Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate with all the relevant organizations that are carefully monitoring any incidence of infectious diseases, and will review any countermeasures that may be necessary with all the organizations concerned. In addition, the IOC is in contact with the World Health Organization as well as its own medical experts. We have full confidence that the relevant authorities, in particular in Japan and China, will take all the necessary measures to address the situation.

#Tokyo 2020 is working in cooperation with the National and International Federations ahead of test events and is following guidance from the Japanese authorities.

#The Torch Relay is expected to take place as planned. The situation is being monitored carefully and Tokyo 2020 is collaborating closely with the regional prefectures to assess the local context.

#The IOC is working with the International Federations and the relevant NOCs concerning the participation of their athletes in qualifying events for the Olympic Games.

By Brent Stubbs

Friday, September 18, 2020

#Although they got delayed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bahamas Olympic Committee President Romell Knowles said they are now surging full steam ahead for the 2020 Olympic Games.

#The 2020 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXII Olympiad and commonly known as Tokyo 2020, originally scheduled for July 24 to August 9, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, was rescheduled for July 23 to August 8, 2021.

#“One of the challenges that we have with our athletes is not knowing when and where the qualifying events for their particular sports will take place, which has not been determined yet due to COVID-19,” Knowles said.

#“We are still anxiously awaiting those decisions so athletes will know what they have to do because it’s a tedious process and we want to make sure that they don’t miss out on any opportunity to qualify for the games.”

#So far, seven athletes have attained the previous qualifying standards in track and field. They are sprinters Samson Colebrooke and Tynia Gaither, quarter-milers Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner and high jumpers Donald Thomas and Jamal Wilson.

#Swimming was hopeful of having a few swimmers make the standard, led by Joanna Evans, while at least one boxer, Carl Hield, and female judo competitor Cynthia Rahming, were both in the process of qualifying.

#The BOA had already named the chef de mission in Cora Hepburn, one of their vice presidents. The former all-around athlete, who excelled internationally in volleyball, will be serving as the first female in charge of an Olympic contingent from the country since the Bahamas made its debut in the four-yearly games in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland.

#Since then, the Bahamas has accumulated a total of 14 medals, inclusive of six gold, two silver and six bronze, all in either sailing or swimming.