The Bahamas could be a track and field powerhouse in the near future

Fri, May 30th 2014, 09:30 PM

The Bahamas recently hosted the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays, putting the country's growing passion for track and field on display for the rest of the world to see. More than 40 countries attended the historic event. The Bahamas has had past Olympians who won gold medals in track - such as 'The Golden Girls' and 'The Golden Knights' - but never before has track and field been supported to this extent in the country.
The government has done more for athletes in recent times than ever before, in terms of hosting larger events, improving on track meets that are already in place and upgrading facilities.
Earlier this week, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson said The Bahamas would now look to position itself as a permanent fixture on the IAAF's annual circuit.
"This was the beginning, and I felt we did well enough to prove we can bring more to the table. We know that there are other events. We know that our sports model says to us that we want to get on a tour," Johnson said.
"With the new agreement, I am putting in another negotiation piece to get on the IAAF tour. When you think of the Grand Prix, you know that when these things stop in your town, it's huge. So we want to get the international community to look at us in that light where it's a regular event - you know the date, you know the time, you know the logistics of the place."
Hosting the World Relays and allowing the Bahamian high school athletes to participate in front of the crowd of over 10,000 spectators and socialize with athletes from various countries also did a lot for the future of track and field in the country.
And the idea of hosting an event of that nature each year can put The Bahamas on a pedestal when it comes to track and field.
Jamaica is a rival of the country in the region, and both Jamaica and The Bahamas are known for producing fast sprinters. Jamaica hosts large track meets regularly that give exposure to the country's up and coming athletes.
If The Bahamas does, in fact, become a permanent fixture in the IAAF's schedule, the same can be expected for the country's young athletes.
At the various high school meets, and even some primary school meets, more and more athletes are looking to get into the sport, because they now see that it can be a career in itself.
The Frank "Pancho" Rahming Track and Field Classic saw the largest number of schools participate in the history of the event. More than 60 schools from all over the country came to New Providence to give their athletes exposure and get them used to performing on a big stage at an early age. Parents are now seeing the improvements that have been made to the various track and field programs in the country and are excited about them.
Shaunae Miller is a young track athlete who is making a name for herself in the world ranks as a top sprinter, but she is also an inspiration to many of the younger athletes who are looking to build their careers in the same fashion.
Sports can be used as a way to gain a better education and a way for those in tough situations to provide for themselves and their families.
The government is lending a huge hand in helping them make their dreams a reality.

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