It was a long road back to the track for quarter-miler Ramon Miller who broke the little toe on his left foot competing in the heats of the men's 4x400 meters (m) relay at the inaugural International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays last May at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.
Miller had to undergo weeks of aggressive therapy to return to his world level form, and now that he is up and about, he is looking forward to making an impression on the world stage this season, starting with the 2015 Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational, set for Saturday April 11 at the stadium. The invitational will give the 28-year-old Olympian a good idea of where he is physically, and also give him a chance to compete against some of the best athletes in the world very early in the season.
At the last CBBI in 2013, former Olympic Champion in the men's 400m, and two-time World Champion in that event, American LaShawn Merritt ran in the men's 200m. Reigning Olympic Champion in the men's 400m, Kirani James of Grenada, was left to contest that event without the threat of Merritt. Both could be running the men's 400m at this year's CBBI, and Miller said that he will be right there as well.
"It's a world-class field in the 400 and all of the other events, but in the 400 I will be making my comeback from the injury at the world relays," said Miller. "I'm really looking forward to it. I just hope that the Bahamian people come out and support us as we come out and put on a show for them. My preparation has remained the same. I'm a bit older now, so I do things a bit slower, but it's been going good so far."
Following the CBBI, both Miller and Brown will have a chance to perform in front of the hometown crowd again, at the 2015 IAAF World Relays, which is set for May 2 and 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. Both events will serve as tune-ups for the IAAF World Championships, scheduled for August 22-30 in Beijing, China.
"Right now I'm working to pick up where I left off prior to the injury," said Miller. "I'm looking to get back to being in full form and I know once I'm able to get back there, everything will follow."
In a recent interview with The Nassau Guardian, veteran sprinter Chris Brown commended Miller on his effort to bounce back from the injury. He said that he is looking forward to competing against and with him.
Brown said: "I want to congratulate my teammate for coming back from an injury like that because it's difficult to come off an injury and be competitive. The fight that he has displayed shows that as Bahamians, we have to fight for what we want in life. So, to come and see him back at full strength and hopefully competing on the 11th with the best in the world is a great feeling. I look forward to the event and seeing him perform."
Miller and Brown are a part of The Bahamas' "Golden Knights", the men's 4x400m relay team that shocked the world at the 2012 London Olympics, knocking off the mighty United States, and winning the gold in a national record time of 2:56.72. Miller has a personal best time of 44.87 seconds in the 400m, and Brown has a lifetime best of 44.40 seconds which is The Bahamas' national record.
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