BOC chief says they remain committed to the Tokyo Olympics

This month, North Korea became the first major country to pull out of the Tokyo Olympic Games, citing coronavirus fears and not trusting host nation Japan to get its numbers under control before the July start date.

The Olympics is set for July 23 to August 8, in Tokyo, Japan – less than three and a half months away.

Here in The Bahamas, the representative body remains steadfast. Just seven Bahamian athletes have qualified for the Olympics, all in athletics, and two swimmers have attained ‘B’ cut qualifying times. Five years ago, a total of 28 athletes represented The Bahamas in three sports at the Games of the 31st Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“…We are facing unprecedented times in the sporting world,” said Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) President Romell Knowles in a letter. “Considering the steady, though slow, pace of preparation, the Bahamas Olympic Committee urges all our Olympic athletes and aspiring Olympic athletes to remain ready for Tokyo. We understand the hardships that you, as athletes, have endured. We also acknowledge that many athletes around the world face similar difficulties, but we encourage you to maintain the best possible physical and mental health going into Tokyo, knowing that the athlete who manages COVID-19 obstacles best, is the athlete who stands the best chance of success.”

For the first time ever, the Summer Olympics is being held in an odd year – outside of the usual four-year window of the global sports spectacle. COVID-19 has and continues to be a real threat and possible deterrent to the smooth running of the multi-sports event. If it is not held in July, it may be canceled altogether, marking what would be just the fourth time the Summer Olympics would have been canceled.

“Other than in the face of war, there has never been a cancellation of Olympic Games, and it appears that athletes will finally have their chance to compete again on the Olympic stage this year,” said Knowles. “There is a reinvigorated resolve on the part of the International Olympic Committee and on behalf of the local organizing committee in Japan. As planning and preparation progresses for the upcoming Olympic Games, there are bound to be several revisions of processes and procedures. We ask our athletes to remain patient and flexible.

“Above all, try not to be overtaken by worrying and a preoccupation with these inevitable changes. The executives of the Bahamas Olympic Committee will work constantly to ensure all arrangements are in place for your orderly travel to the games and 

participation at the events. It is our task to shoulder this burden on your behalf, so that you may concentrate on your sporting performance. The BOC stands ready to address your concerns at any time, and to always work for your good. As always, we are one team, one Bahamas and we are Bahamas strong.”

Despite the setbacks and the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Knowles said he looks forward to heading to Tokyo with Team Bahamas and for the usual inspirational and grand performances from the representatives. In 2016, The Bahamas ranked as the per capita champion of the Olympics again – a title the country held for three straight Olympics and four out of five from 1992-2008. The Bahamas won a gold and a bronze in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, continuing a streak of at least one Olympic medal for the country at seven straight Olympics.

In 2016, The Bahamas also matched its second best performance ever at the Summer Olympics, medal-wise. The Bahamas also won a gold and a bronze in 2004 in Athens, Greece, getting a gold from Tonique Williams-Darling in the women’s 400 meters (m) and a bronze from Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie in the women’s 200m.

This year, the qualified Bahamians are Tynia Gaither in both the women’s 100 and 200m, Shaunae Miller-Uibo in both the women’s 200 and 400m, both Pedrya Seymour and Devynne Charlton in the women’s 100m hurdles, Samson Colebrooke in the men’s 100m, Steven Gardiner in the men’s 400m and Jamal Wilson in the men’s high jump. Laura Morley and Joanna Evans have achieved ‘B’ cut qualifying times in swimming in the 200m breast and 400m free events, respectively.

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