Today, track and field athletes of The Bahamas delegation at the London Olympics begin competition.
Bahamian contestants are listed for the men's long jump, and the women's 100 and 400 meters early rounds. It is important to remind Bahamians of the tremendous weight of expectations being carried by the athletes from the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA).
Just one other discipline, swimming, is representing The Bahamas in London. The BAAA is to be congratulated for once again being that "trooper" sports federation The Bahamas looks to mostly for medal satisfaction at the Olympics Games.
Indeed the value of the BAAA to our sports program ought to be fully appreciated by all and sundry. I hear of some coaches who have not been documented by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to the extent whereby they can be in the village with the athletes and enjoy certain privileges afforded others.
I understand the esteemed Bahamian "international coach" Henry Rolle is not living in the Olympic Village. How could this be, unless this is his preference? The BAAA brought him on board to guide the relay performers. He should be a constant presence, 24/7, for the athletes under his charge.
Well, there is always the big picture and perhaps a full explanation by the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) is in order.
However, the position that the BAAA deserves to be accommodated fully, based on the large numbers of athletes provided to represent The Bahamas and past achievements on the grandest of sports stages cannot, I think, be legitimately challenged.
The BOC has the authority to determine who are accredited. Always, there are a multitude of requests, too many to be processed. This is the case worldwide and the National Olympic Committees are accordingly, faced with going through the process of elimination.
It is imperative though that the athletes are not denied the full availability of their coaches, while there are others with full accreditation, with no duties nearly as significant.
Hopefully this is not the situation.
The BAAA deserves to be treated very well. I make this point because from the Barcelona Olympics of 1992 to the beginning of the London 2012 Games, Olympics medals for The Bahamas have come only from the BAAA.
This time around, the BAAA has presented such a quality group that there is the possibility that The Bahamas could equal the medal count of 2000. In Sydney, Australia, the BAAA produced three medals, a gold (female 200 meters), another gold (female sprint relay), and a bronze (men's 1600 meters relay).
In 2008, we won two, a triple jump bronze and a silver medal from the 1600 men's relay squad.
This year, it is likely that this version of the men's 1600m team will win a medal. There is the possibility that Leevan Sands will medal in the triple jump; one of the quarter milers (Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder or Ramon Miller) could win an individual 400 meters medal; and Trevor Barry or Donald Thomas could medal in the high jump.
Maybe Michael Matthieu will come through in the men's 200 meters.
This is the healthy scenario possible, because of the BAAA athletes.
The BAAA should be specially saluted for the many years of putting athletes forward who have brought glory to this tiny nation, and treated in kind.

o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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