Sports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 7, 2022 155 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In Life University Running Eagles’ men’s track and field first season since it went dormant, Bahamian Head Coach Dominic Demeritte bagged the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Track and Field Coach of the Year award. He was instrumental in the Running Eagles’ journey to the NAIA Men’s Track and Field outdoor title this past season.

The men went to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and finished with a total of 52 points to take home the title. They won four events. Southeastern University was second with 47 points and was followed by the University of British Columbia with 39 points.

This was the first time Life University won the NAIA outdoor title since 2000.

The Running Eagles produced the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the meet, Phemelo Matlhabe, and the national championship came on the heels of them winning the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Men’s Track and Field Championship.

In addition to being named the NAIA Coach of the Year, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) selected Demeritte as their national men’s coach of the year. His team captured 13 All-American awards.

It is a huge accomplishment for Demeritte who was named the head coach of the men’s team in September 2020.

Matlhabe was named USTFCCCA Men’s Track Athlete of the Year.

Demeritte was the women’s team interim head coach in 2021 and he coached them to the program’s first MSC Women’s Track and Field Championship. He won the MSC Coach of the Year Award. This year, they successfully defended that title.

At this year’s NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the women finished fifth with 38 total points after entering the final day without a point. They won one gold medal and had other All-Americans. British Columbia won with 138 points.

The Bahamian Olympian coached five Bahamian males on his team – Venord Burrows, Nigel Hepburn, Corey Johnson, Nathan Moss and Hesley Charlton. On the women’s side he had Bahamians Aniqua Darville and Breanna Pratt.

Pratt ran the third leg of the women’s 4×400 meters (m) relay team that finished third at the nationals. They clocked 3:45.71. Indiana Tech won that relay with a time of 3:42.16, and British Columbia was second in 3:44.79.

The season for both teams have wrapped up. The men’s team will be looking to defend both their conference and national titles in 2023.

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMay 31, 2022 383 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Seven players from Grand Bahama will help make up The Bahamas’ Special Olympics soccer team, scheduled to compete in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games June 3-12. Thanks to a donation from Playtime Sports, these players will do so with brand-new soccer boots.

“The stylish, black Adidas Predator soccer shoes with rubber cleats are not only top of the line, but revolutionary,” said Mark Hardy, Special Olympics Soccer national team coach.

“Adidas introduced the boots several years ago. They revolutionized soccer footwear. The boots, which have indentations along the outside from toe point to mid-foot, help spin the ball when the athlete correctly positions it on the dots. The indentations create more swerve on the ball for better shooting,” he explained.

Nine Grand Bahamian athletes will join the 23-member national team traveling to the Games in Orlando, FL.

The players include Natalia Demeritte, 12; Keino Curry, 15; goalkeeper Levar Laing, 15; Justin Miller, 16; unified partner Jaren Curry, 17; Orien Clough, 19; Dennis Maycock, 19; Dwayne Romer, 20 and Xavier Rolle, 20.

Hardy, who was elated with the generous donation, disclosed that the athletes usually play and practice in their regular tennis shoes.

“One of the things we struggle with is having soccer boots and shin guards for the players. In most cases, we have been able to get hand-me-downs and secondhand boots for the players from clubs I am involved with,” he said.

To have the players properly outfitted for the upcoming competition, Hardy reached out to the management of Freeport’s Playtime Sports.

Ghassan Haddad, store manager, agreed to assist the young athletes and the new soccer shoes were ordered and delivered.

“Three years ago, we did the same thing for the special team when they traveled to Abu Dhabi and played soccer. We are here to help whenever we can,” said Haddad.

Unable to meet in person for training sessions because of the pandemic, each player was given a soccer ball to practice with at home with instructions from their coaches.

“The players have been working hard. They are excited about getting these soccer boots and I am grateful to Playtime for this donation,” Hardy said.

“This is something the boys and girls need to make them look the part of a team. Like we often say  …  if you look the part, if you look good, that helps with the playing.”

Every three years, the athletes compete in the Special Olympics World Games, which are being held in Berlin, Germany, next year.

In 2019, The Bahamas’ Special Olympics soccer team won the bronze medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

However, with the World Games not taking place until 2023, Special Olympics Bahamas embraced the invitation from Special Olympics North America (SONA) to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games.

This is the first time countries outside of the USA have been invited to participate at the Special Olympics USA Games.

Over 3,800 athletes from the USA, Canada and the Caribbean will be competing in 19 sporting disciplines, including soccer, bocce, athletics, swimming, and bowling.

“So, our athletes will compete in soccer, bocce, and athletics. We had a swimmer from Abaco, but because that island is still recovering, he decided not to compete for personal reasons.

“For soccer, most of the players are from Grand Bahama. We have one bocce player, and our unified partner (player) is from a private school. The unified partner is a regular athlete that helps the special athlete on the field,” explained Cheryl Hurst, area coordinator for the Grand Bahama Special Olympics Chapter.

Walt Disney World is hosting the games this year, with much of the competition being held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

“Our athletes are over the moon with excitement at having the chance to compete after being through a storm and the pandemic,” Hurst said. “We are hoping to compete for more than just the bronze at the USA Games. We are looking to bring back the gold.”

The Special Olympics USA Games opening ceremony is June 5 and will be broadcast between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on most ABC stations.

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr gestures to Avisail Garcia after he hit an RBI-single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela in the fourth inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader yesterday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

As of Thursday, June 2, 2022

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MARLINS’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#After two hitless games since his return from a hamstring injury, Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr was the catalyst of a Miami Marlins offensive explosion in the first game of yesterday’s double header.

#Chisholm drove in the first four runs of the Marlins 14-1 win over the Colorado Rockies in game one yesterday at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.

#He finished 2-5 with four RBI. Chisholm got the scoring going with his RBI single in the second inning. He followed with his eighth home run of the season in the fourth inning to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead.

#After missing four games with a hamstring injury, Chisholm returned on May 29 in a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the series finale at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

#On May 30 the Marlins’ offence again struggled in a 7-1 loss to the Rockies in the opening game of the series.

#Chisholm still leads the Marlins in several categories with a .276 average, 31 RBI, 22 runs, four triples and seven stolen bases. He ranks second on the team with eight home runs and is third with 38 hits and seven doubles.

#Chisholm also missed 16 games of his rookie season with a left hamstring strain.

#The Marlins travel to San Francisco to open their three game series against the Giants at Oracle Park. First pitch is set for 6:40pm local time.

Goalscorer Lesly St Fleur shown in action. Photos by Thinq Studio

As of Sunday, June 5, 2022

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The Bahamas men’s national soccer team celebrates.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH a penalty kick from veteran captain Lesly St Fleur, the Bahamas Junkanoo Boys national men’s soccer team prevailed with an impressive 1-0 victory over St Vincent & the Grenadines on Friday at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in game one of their World Cup Qatar Qualification.

#The team, coached by Nesly Jean, left the following day for Trinidad & Tobago where they were scheduled to play the second leg of their home and away series of matches on Monday. However, they got delayed in Miami, Florida on Saturday because of bad weather.

The Bahamas men’s national soccer team.

#Trinidad & Tobago, known as the Soca Warriors, are coming off a 2-1 defeat by Nicaragua, but, at home, they are expected to provide a stiffer challenge for the Bahamas.

#It was in the 68th minute when centre forward Wood (Peter) Julmis was brought down in the 18-yard box and the referee did not hesitate in awarding a penalty for the foul. St Fleur, the Bahamas’ top goal scorer, calmly tucked the ball in the corner of the goal to add to his legend status. 

#The crowd erupted and the home team held on for the win that pegged the Bahamas record at 4-1-0 in Nations League play.

#The team had a cadre of young players – Omari Bain, William Bayles, Nicholas Lopez, Elijah Mitchell, Michael Massey, Derick Ferguson, Alexiou Cartwright, Jordin Wilson, Vance Wheaton, Kenaz Swain, Miguel Thompson and Cameron Evans – who all earned their first men’s international cap. 

#The team, managed by Larry Minns, are now looking ahead to Trinidad & Tobago. Following that match, they will host Nicaragua on Friday, June 10 and head back on the road to play Nicaragua on Monday, June 13th.

Sports

Team kicks off Nations League competition tomorrow at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 2, 2022 262 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team will kick off its 2022 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League campaign with a home match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium tomorrow.

The match gets underway at 5 p.m. as international soccer returns to The Bahamas. It will be the first home game in this window, and the second is slated for June 10 against Nicaragua. There is a road match against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.

Guardian Sports caught up with the team during practice on Tuesday night at the Roscow A.L. Davies Soccer Field. Head coach and former national team player Nesly Jean said the full team is here and ready to go.

“Most of the guys came in two days ago (Sunday), so we are trying to get the right chemistry. We are trying to get the guys that were overseas to come in and fit in with the team and play the way we play. It is still a lot of work to be done over the next two days and hopefully we will solve that problem,” Jean said. “Everybody is starting to understand what we are trying to do. We are just trying to fix one and two little things and make adjustments. We will be good to go by Friday.”

The Bahamas was promoted from League C to League B of the CONCACAF region after winning its group in the 2019 edition of the competition. They are in a tough group with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua.

For now, Jean is concerned with getting started on a winning note as he takes it one game at a time.

“The first game is the most important game. We have to put all our focus into this first game and get a win. We are not worrying about Trinidad and Tobago or any other team. We just want to focus on the first game and get a win,” Jean said.

Team Captain Lesly St. Fleur, who has been on the national team for over a decade, is one of the seniors and leaders of the team. He knows the team is young and he is looking to help guide them.

“It is a good make-up of the team. We are bringing in the young players to mix with the veterans. It is good because it will be a strong team in a couple years. We have to groom them while we have the chance because some of us may not be here again. That is what we are doing – we are mixing it up with veterans and young players. We have been getting along together,” St. Fleur said.

This window is a very tough window for the team as they play two home games and two away games in 10 days.

“The boys have been performing day in and day out,” St. Fleur said. “We are preparing for this upcoming campaign, so we have to be mentally focused and that is what we are doing right now. I tell the players to give all they could and let someone else fill in the spot. We have four games and everyone has to play hard. We have to rest and recover then go back at it again. We have to be mentally focused and prepared to play these four games.”

Elvet Julmis, who plays center back, played with the senior men’s national team last year when they were in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.

“We have a young team instead of an older group. It is now left to see what we can do as a younger team, how we can develop and move forward quickly and how well we can adapt playing internationally. A lot of us have not played many international matches as yet, so hopefully they can adapt quickly,” he said.

The fans are back in the stands for this game, as COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, and Jean is looking to use them as a huge boost for the team.

“It is a huge impact with the fans here in the stadium,” Jean said. “That is what we need and guys are going to give 100 percent for their country but the fans in the stadium will give them an extra boost. It is good to have a home-field advantage when you have the fans. We are looking forward to seeing them and hopefully we can put on a good show for them.”

Goalkeeper Oliver Townend echoed his coach’s sentiments about the fans being back in the stands for the first time in over two years.

“It will be very important to have them because with COVID-19, we haven’t been able to have fans and that has a big impact because their support in the stands is helpful to the players on the field. We feel that support. It is going to be a huge boost for us and it’s on a field that we are used to playing on. It will help to calm the players’ nerves with the supporters behind them.”

Tickets are on sale at the box office for the match at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. The single game tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for youth. There is a special package for both games which is $30 for adults and $15 for youth.

The game will not be livestreamed.

Sports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJune 2, 2022 254 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian multi-event athletes Ken Mullings and Kendrick Thompson have been going back and forth in the men’s decathlon over the past three years, with each breaking the national record on multiple occasions, and they’re both still relatively young in the sport. Thompson will turn 25 this summer, just a few months younger than Mullings who turned 25 in April.

Mullings first took down a 30-year mark in April of 2019, scoring 7,427 points at the University of Miami (UM) Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida. Since then, the national record has been broken four times – once by Mullings and three times by Thompson, with the new record standing at 7,788 points accomplished by Thompson at the Jacksonville Athletic Club’s (JAC) Combined Events Qualifier at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, over the weekend.

Both men are still chasing the lofty world championships qualifying total of 8,350 points, which would give them automatic qualification for the World Athletics (WA) World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, this summer. There are other ways to qualify, but both Mullings and Thompson want to qualify outright, and both are looking to do it at their next meet – the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Youth, Junior & Senior National Championships from June 24-25 at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

“Me and my coaches have made a lot of improvement on the areas that I fell short in, in my last competition,” said Mullings. “I’m just looking forward to going to nationals and correcting a lot of wrongs that I did. It’s just about going there and putting together a strong 10 events. That’s the plan.”

In his last meet, Mullings won the area title for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) region in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, prevailing with 7,537 points at that meet last month.

Thompson is coming off a hip flexor injury. He appears healthy again and is looking for a strong performance at the nationals.

“It really means a lot to me that I was able to finish the Jacksonville meet healthy,” said Thompson. “I have a couple weeks until nationals to sharpen up on a couple of my events. Hopefully by nationals, I would get the marks that I need to qualify for the worlds. I know that I could do it. I just need to bring it out. By nationals, I’m confident that I could pull it off.”

Prior to Mullings and Thompson exploding in the men’s decathlon for The Bahamas, the previous best by a Bahamian in the 10-event competition was 7,421 points by Antonio Greene all the way back in 1989.

Over two days of competition on Sunday and Monday, Thompson, representing the University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes, won all 10 events in Jacksonville to set the new national mark at 7,788 points. His previous personal best and national record was 7,762 points which was done at the UM Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables in April.

After his performance on Sunday and Monday, Thompson said: “I’m really happy that I was able to win all 10 events. To me, that is an accomplishment within itself. I’m really happy with my overall performance and I’m just looking to sharpen up some more. I’m also happy with the record and I know coach (UB Head Athletics Coach Ednal Rolle) is happy for the record. We were looking at going for 8,000 points to give us a chance to qualify for the world championships. I fell short in two events in Jacksonville but I know how to rebound and go after the goal.”

As mentioned, there are other ways to qualify for the world championships. There are wildcard entries for a reigning world champion, a 2021 Diamond League Champion, and as the current area champion from an athlete’s respective area championships. Athletes can also qualify via their World Athletics rankings.

Mullings was able to check off one of those requirements – winning the NACAC area title in Ottawa last month. The BAAA would now have to file an official request on his behalf for world championships qualification.

Mullings scored 7,537 points at the NACAC Combined Events Area Championships, winning eight of the 10 events over the two days of competition. His personal best points total is 7,734 points, done at the BAAA National Championships last year.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mullings will get the nod for the world championships as the area champion. There are six area associations under World Athletics and the respective area champions are recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

Whether he gets the nod or not, Mullings is looking to qualify outright on points.

“Me and my coaches are definitely confident that I could get the job done. We just have to go out there and execute in all 10 events. I’m looking forward to being consistent and getting the job done,” he said.

As mentioned, both are expected to be in action at the BAAA National Championships at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium later this month, looking to attain automatic qualifying marks for the World Athletics World Championships.

Both Mullings and Thompson are coached by Ednal Rolle – head Athletics coach at University of The Bahamas.

Sports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJune 2, 2022 248 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

As an avid after-school sports fan from his St. Augustine’s College (SAC) days, Christian Wilmore recalls how he eagerly watched and cheered from the sidelines. In the eighth grade, because of his keen interest in sports, he was asked to consider becoming a table scorer and since he was already at the games, anyway, he decided to give it a shot. This decision opened doors he never even imagined possible.

“Becoming a scorer gave me something to do and I discovered that I really enjoyed it, so I then began scoring for softball and basketball, basically all the sports at SAC,” recalled Wilmore. “Basketball became my first love though and I went on to score at local tournaments. The late Mrs. Katrinka Marshall, at the time, said to me that young basketball referees were needed and I should consider training to become one. I had never even considered it but thanks to her and coach Randy Cunningham, I got all the information needed and attended my first clinic and that was my start.”

Shortly after the clinic, at the age of 14, Wilmore refereed his first set of games in the public school’s national basketball tournament and he has not stopped since. A FIBA (International Basketball Federation) referee since 2012, he is the first Bahamian to serve as a referee at a world championships game and has travelled to 20-plus countries.

As the New Providence Association of Certified Basketball Officials (NPACBO) president, he encourages young Bahamians to consider becoming a referee.

“I would highly recommend those who love the game of basketball but objectively do not have the ability to play at the collegiate level but still want to be connected to the game, to try the officiating route. With 

international refereeing, you get to see the world and be compensated for doing so,” he explained.

Most recently, Wilmore was nominated for a position as FIBA Centrobasket U15 (Under-15) Championships referee for the 2022 tournament in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, from June 18-30. The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) celebrates his achievement and steady progression as a representative for The Bahamas globally as a FIBA referee.

“As a federation, we want to recognize the high standard of officiating we have represented here in The Bahamas through Christian’s leadership. He has emerged as one of the top referees in this region and proudly represented our country at numerous tournaments. One of our key initiatives as the BBF is focused on 

training and development of our administration, coaches and officials. We encourage young Bahamians to seize every opportunity to be trained, gain new skills, and have world exposure. We celebrate Christian’s continued international success,” expressed BBF Secretary General Jurelle Nairn-Mullings.

As a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, in Kingston, Jamaica, Wilmore has his sights set high in both the classroom and on the court. His goal is to one day officiate at the Olympics or a senior men’s or women’s world championships game. When that happens, he said he would have accomplished a big dream and would be satisfied.

Bahamian national record holder clocks season’s best; Strachan third in Eugene

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 1, 2022 311 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton is having a great season and that continued when she powered her way to a season’s best of 12.88 seconds in the women’s 100 meters (m) hurdles at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold 61st Golden Spike Meet at the Mestský Stadion in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Tuesday afternoon.

That time gave her a fourth-place finish, running with a 1.0 meters per second (mps) tailwind.

Winning that race was 2020 Olympic Champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, clocking 12.56 seconds. Polish athlete Pia Skrzyszowska ran a personal best time of 12.65 seconds to get the silver medal. American Nia Ali finished third after posting a time of 12.69 seconds.

In that race, there was one personal best and three season’s bests. It could be a preview of what to expect at the World Athletics (WA) World Championships, set for this summer in Eugene, Oregon.

Charlton’s previous season’s best time of 12.98 seconds came at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky, in April. She ran 12.61 seconds at the Ooredoo Doha Meeting in Doha, Qatar, but it was not a legal time as there was a tailwind of +3.8mps.

The 100m hurdles national record holder has touched the track a lot this season, running both indoors and outdoors. The 26-year-old run again on Monday, taking part in the World Athletics Continental Tour FBK Games at the Blankers-Koen Stadium in Hengelo, Netherlands.

Anthonique Strachan is also having a strong season, showing that she is on a return path from injuries that hampered her in the past. She was in action this past Saturday, competing at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The 28-year-old placed third in the women’s 200m when she posted a time of 22.76 seconds running out of lane eight.

Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was a force to reckon with as she ran a season’s best of 22.41 seconds to cross the finish line first. American Brittany Brown was second after posting a time of 22.74 seconds to narrowly hold off Strachan.

“My overall plan for the race from the start was to try to get as much separation as possible,” said Strachan after the race. “I sort of executed that and I also sort of didn’t but it was a great race, can’t really complain about that.”

The Prefontaine Classic was the third Wanda Diamond League meet of the season.

Earlier in the outdoor season, Strachan held off Fraser-Pryce in this same sprint distance when she clocked a season’s best time of 22.55 seconds. That was done at the MVP Velocity Fest 11 at the Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

Strachan may run at the Rome Wanda Diamond League on Thursday June 9. Charlton and Strachan along with other top tier Bahamian track and field athletes are expected to be in action at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) National Championships later this month.

Sports

Georgette is first Bahamian female

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 1, 2022 371 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Former CARIFTA swim team manager and local swimming enthusiast Georgette Albury is the first Bahamian female to become a FINA (International Swimming Federation) certified open water official, obtaining that certification when she passed a course at the FINA Technical School for Open Water Officials in Toronto, Canada, this past weekend.

Georgette’s husband Kendric Albury also received his certification, becoming a FINA certified open water official. Bahamas Aquatics Federation President Algernon Cargill recertified for a third consecutive time. Mancer Roberts was the fourth Bahamian to receive certification this past weekend. Both Cargill and Roberts were officials at the 2022 CARIFTA Open Water Championships that was held at Carlisle Bay, Barbados, in April.

Cargill and Roberts are both also on the approved FINA Open Water Officials list. Kendric and Georgette Albury will be approved to that FINA list at a later date, based on their experiences, which according to Cargill can be as early as next year. Georgette said she is looking forward to assisting in the growth of the open water arm of aquatics.

“I am elated to be the first female in The Bahamas to be FINA certified,” Albury said. “To become FINA certified as an open water official means that I can now work along with other FINA qualified officials to promote the growth of open water and aquatics overall. Before this weekend, we only had two FINA certified open water officials and now we have four.”

As officials, Kendric and Georgette Albury will be able to serve as chief referees, referees, starters, turn judges or safety officers to name a few. Cargill said he is proud to have Georgette as the first Bahamian female taking up the mantle as a FINA certified open water official.

“We are excited that Georgette Albury is the first Bahamian female to be a FINA certified open water official. It shows equality in our sport and shows that we are  promoting females as they have every right and opportunity to become certified officials in the federation. She did well in the class in Toronto and I am outright happy with her performance. It shows that the 

federation is indeed evolving. We are evolving not only in the number of referees but we are including females in the overall development of the sport,” Cargill said.

Georgette Albury hopes to see more persons involved, not just in open water, but other aspects of aquatics as well.

Open water swimming is different from pool swimming as the races are for longer distances. The CARIFTA and CCCAN (Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation)  distances for open water swimming are five and 10 kilometers while the World Open Water Swimming Championships distances are five, 10 and 25 kilometers. Swimmers are also met by outdoor elements such as jellyfish, seaweed and waves from the sea.

The Bahamas did not compete at this year’s CARIFTA Open Water Championships but Georgette Albury hopes that The Bahamas can compete at future meets especially with more FINA certified officials here. She anticipates that there will be more open water meets locally.

There has not been open water swimming in The Bahamas since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a stoppage of sports locally in March 2020. Cargill is hopeful that The Bahamas can be a stop on the Pan Am Aquatics Tour for open water swimming in the not-too-distant future.

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJune 1, 2022 214 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Over the past two years, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has had its effect on sports and it has been a challenging period for athletes, coaches and sports enthusiasts. Road races, which have been ongoing in The Bahamas for many years, and has been one of the more popular physical sporting activities among Bahamians, were totally interrupted since March 2020. As the country is now trying to return to some sort of normalcy, wholesome in-person events like road races and fun run/walks are gradually returning.

To this end, the Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC) announced the return of the Midnight Madness 10K (10-kilometer) Fun Run/Walk on the morning of June 3, 2022 (Labour Day), starting at 12:01 a.m. The event will start and end at Arawak Cay.

COVID safety protocols will be in effect and all participants will be provided with runners’ safety lights. The traffic division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) will provide escort service for everyone’s safety on the road.

Bahamas Roadmasters President Anastasia Turnquest said: “We want all fitness enthusiasts to come out and walk or run with us as we light up West Bay Street in support of this year’s chosen charity, R.E.A.C.H. (Resources & Education for Autism & related Challenges). Runners and walkers can enjoy the fresh ocean air as they move along the coastline, having fun and jumpstarting their long holiday weekend.”

Turnquest expressed her appreciation to the sponsors Sun-Tee, Global Insurance Agency, Bahamian Brewery (Sands Beer), Caribbean Bottling Company and J.S. Johnson.

Refreshments will be served after the event. 

Registration is online at active.com, at Bahamas Welding & Fire in Centreville every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by or contacting the running club at e-mail address bahamasroadmasters@gmail.com.

The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club was formed in 1990 with a mandate to advance long distance running in The Bahamas. In addition to the Midnight Madness race, the club also hosts the annual Bahamas Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Race Series in November.

Daily registration for the Midnight Madness run is at Four Seasons Nursery on Infant View Road West in Chippingham from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.