Everyone is excited to compete at the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Relays. The Bahamas has been fortunate to have young Bahamians represent the county on the world stage and now the opportunity is here for these same athletes to compete at home in front of the world, this according to Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) President and IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Vice Deputy Chairman, Mike Sands.

Sands revealed on Thursday, at a press conference that a total of 27 athletes will represent The Bahamas at the IAAF World Relays set for next week at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

“We feel very confident about these teams,” Sands said.

The Bahamas team will be competing in six of the ten relay events.

“I can only encourage Bahamians to come out and support these young athletes at home,” he said.

The 27 member team was made official after a BAAA General Assembly meeting on Wednesday night. Finalized to the team are:

Women’s 4 x 100 meters (m); Sheniqua Ferguson, Cache Armbrister, Anthonique Strachan, V'Alonee Robinson, Nivea Smith, Tayla Carter.

Women’s 4 x 200m; Sheniqua Ferguson, Shaunae Miller, Anthonique Strachan, Rashan Brown Nivea Smith, Tayla Carter.

Women’s 4 x 400m; Rashan Brown, Shakeitha Henfield, Christine Amertil- Ling, Miriam Byfield, Katrina Seymour, Miriam Byfield.

Men’s 4 x 100m; Warren Fraser, Adrian Griffith, Trevorvano Mackey, Blake Bartlett, Jamial Rolle, Johnathon Farquharson.

Men’s 4 x 200m; Adrian Griffith, Trevorvano Mackey, Blake Bartlett, Jamial Rolle, Johnathon Farquharson, Andretti Bain.

Men’s 4 x 400m; Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Ramon Miller, Michael Mathieu, LaToy Williams,Wesley Neymour, Alonzo Russell.

The coaches for the team are Fritz Grant, Rodger Charlton and Rupert Gardiner.

“You may not have heard some athletes named in a particular event, but the system allows that athletes on the team in the relay pool can run in any of the relays,” said Sands. “The final combination will be determined on discussions with the athletes, the coaches and their private coaches, to ensure that we have the maximum performance level for The Bahamas.”

On Saturday, a mini training camp will open for selected athletes to ensure that the synergy starts to develop for the relay teams.

Over 800 of the world’s best athletes are expected to contest the 10 relay events; 4×100m, 4×200m, 4×400m, 4×800m, 4×1500m.

Up to 30,000 spectators are anticipated to attend the event on May 24th & May 25th

For more information please contact-IAAF WORLD RELAYS BAHAMAS 2014 Communications Director- Earl Thompson at Earl.Thompson@bahamasworldrelays.org or Communications Coordinator- Bianca Sawyer at Bianca.Sawyer@bahamasworldrelays.org