The Bahamas Gymnastics Federation (BGF) is looking to make history this summer by sending one of its athletes to the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. If successful, it will be the first time that a Bahamian gymnast competes at the Pan Am Games level.
The BGF has been granted one spot at the 2015 Pan American Games, and according to federation president Barbara Thomson, the decision will be between gymnasts Simone Hall and Kianna Dean. Dean, 18, and Hall, 20, were members of the three-person team that made history, when they represented The Bahamas at the Pan Am Championships in Mississauga, Canada last August. The event served as a qualifier for this year's Pan Am Games. Toneka Johnson was the third member of that team.
"It hasn't been finalized yet, but we are seeking extra training to get them on par with their foreign colleagues," said Thompson. "We will make the decision in the spring as to which one of the two will represent The Bahamas and the federation. Both of them are currently training in the United States right now. Simone is training at Arena Gymnastics in New Jersey with former Nassau 'Nastics coach Ann Kolasa, while Kianna is training at Park Avenue Gymnastics in Florida."
When asked about her thoughts on the current state of gymnastics in the country, Thompson said that she was happy with what they have been able to accomplish up to this point, and that she expects the sport to continue to grow locally.
"This is a positive step forward, because we have had a lot of talented athletes go through the program, but never have we reached this level," she said. "The competition level at the Pan Am Games is almost as good as the competition at the Olympic level, so it represents a huge step forward. I'm very proud of what they have been able to do, because they are doing it with limited resources. These young ladies have really set a good example for those who are looking to follow in their footsteps. I think that they are a very positive example of where the program is headed."
The BGF has a number of local events scheduled for this year. The first will be the Bahamas Star Gymnastics and Bahamas Gymnastics Parents Booster Club's Invitational, scheduled for April 10-11.
The Pan Am Games constitute a major event in the Americas featuring summer sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The competition is held between athletes from nations of the Americas, every four years in the year before the Summer Olympic Games. The games were last held in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011.
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