The four 'Golden Knights' (Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller) who made history for The Bahamas at the London Olympics have been basking in celebration activities, well deserved, ever since their return to the country on Monday August 13.
I wonder though if there is an awareness of the full magnitude of the accomplishment. Many stories have been written. Television and radio personalities of world media have had much to say about the breaking of the United States' dominance in the men's 1,600-meter (m) relay. The reference in large part has been to the stint between the Olympics of 1952 and 2008, some 60 years since a competing team from the United States of America lost a men's 1,600m relay final.
Well, the efficiency of the Americans in being the best in the event goes back further than 1952. When the great Caribbean group of runners from Jamaica (Les Laing, George Rhoden, Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley) won the gold medal at the 1952 Olympics, it was only the third time the USA had lost since the event was officially introduced in 1912.
Great Britain won in 1920 and 1936. After 1952, the United States did not win in 1972. The entered team of Maurice Peoples, Tommie Turner, Lee Evans and John Smith did not start (DNS). In 1980, the Americans boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games.
In 1908, the 1,600m (4x400m) relay was preceded by the medley. The first two runners ran 200 meters, the third 400 meters and the fourth 800 meters. The Americans (Nate Cartmell, William Hamilton, Mel Sheppard and John Taylor) were victorious.
The world record for the event is owned by the USA. Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds and Michael Johnson ran 2:54.29 in 1993. The Bahamas has the leading time for 2012 with it's national record of 2:56.72. The USA, of course, tops the North, Central America and Caribbean area with the 2:54.29. Great Britain leads Europe with 2:56.60; Brazil leads South America with 2:58.56; Nigeria leads Africa with 2:58.68 and Japan leads Asia with 3:00.76.
So when the subject of dynasty for the event is discussed, clearly one begins with the United States. Now, The Bahamas more than any other country belongs in the conversation with the United States.
Are we a budding dynasty? Do we have what it takes? Chris Brown thinks so.
"I'm the old man of the group and will stay around for as long as God wants me to. I'm not giving any time limit. It's about what He (God) wants, but, we have an opportunity to be one of the best for a long time. We have a solid group of young quartermilers. I don't know what it is with The Bahamas, but we have them. Now all we need is the assistance to perform at our best and if that happens nothing can stop us," said Brown recently.
There needs to be a big sit-down to craft a formula for the way forward with all sporting disciplines, but especially the 1,600m men's relay in which we are the best at present. Whether we remain at the top and for how long depends upon just how much attention is paid to the national sports program in general and the 1,600m relay runners in particular.
I think a dynasty is possible. We'll see!
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
