RBC comes on board to assist Williams

Bahamian distance runner O’Neil Williams is receiving some much needed support, but still expresses disappointment in an apparent lack of interest from national sports and athletics bodies.

One of the leading financial institutions in the country, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), through its RBC Ambassadors Program, is stepping up to sponsor Williams in his ongoing quest to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Williams is vying to become the first distance runner from The Bahamas to ever qualify for the Olympics, and he’s looking to do so in the men’s marathon in which he holds the national record.

Williams said he is looking to get back on the road in a competitive marathon by February. His national record is 2:29:28 – about 18 minutes off automatic qualification. He can also qualify for the Olympics based on athlete quota for the men’s marathon and overall World Athletics ranking points.

“Right now, I’m so grateful to RBC for them coming on board and offering sponsorship. They came through for me in the clutch and I really appreciate it,” said Williams yesterday. “This is a grand opportunity for me and one that I intend to take complete advantage of. We all know what is going on in the world with COVID-19, so it’s a bit hard to find actual competitions, but this is something that I am committed to and I’m looking to make it happen. There are people who are supporting me and praying that I do well and I am grateful to them for that.”

Williams, who recently completed a 10K (10-kilometer – 6.2 miles) virtual run for RBC, said he still has challenges from the national athletics body and sports organizations in terms of receiving support. Be that as it may, he said he is determined to press forward and qualify for the Olympics.

The postponed Olympics is now set for July 23 to August 8, 2021, and the qualifying period for the men’s marathon stretches from December 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

“It’s unfortunate that I’m still having challenges in terms of receiving financial support from the people who are suppose to help me back home,” he said. “We athletes represent The Bahamas on a global stage and sometimes it’s hard to get the desired support and recognition. The Olympics is next year and we are all focusing on the Olympics but we need financial support. You just can’t come over here to Kenya, or go to Europe or anywhere else and survive as an athlete without financial support. I was excited but nervous at the same time when I saw an article in the newspaper saying that four athletes were receiving checks from the powers that be in sports and athletics. Needless to say, I wasn’t one of them.”

Williams has been training alongside some of the best distance athletes in the world in Iten, Kenya, for the past nine years. The 37-year-old distance runner has improved significantly, particularly in the men’s marathon, which he ventured into three years ago. He was unable to finish his first full marathon and is now consistently under 2:30. The former national record of 2:34.47, set by Grand Bahamian Delroy Boothe, lasted for 18 years.

“My thing is we have a good group of sprinters, we have significant jumpers and throwers. We have one marathon runner, and here I am not receiving support,” said Williams. “I love The Bahamas to death and I always put the country high on a pedestal. People are always asking me where I am from and I tell them ‘Bahamas’. Here I am here in Kenya training and this is the best place in the world for marathon runners to train. I was disappointed when I didn’t receive assistance from the athletic body, but it is what it is and I am prepared to move forward.”

Williams said he is committed to running 100 miles per week for the two weeks, and will then gradually move up to 105 miles per week, 110 miles per week and then 120. His ceiling is 120 miles per week.

“I just want to go out there, run well and continue to represent The Bahamas well. My goal is to get smaller and faster and continue to make my country proud,” he said. “I just want to thank the people who support me – my adopted father Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar, my mom Dawn Knowles, Shavaughn Blades who has been there for me from day one, my coach Wilson Bain, my aunt Joan Sweeting, my subscribers to my YouTube Channel and RBC for the support.”

Williams started a YouTube Channel dubbed “Abroad in Kenya” and has been soliciting support. He remains hopeful that with the proper support, he will qualify for the 2021 Summer Olympics.

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