Steven Gardiner, Devynne Charlton lead hugely talented Bahamas team to World Relays

Steven Gardiner, Devynne Charlton lead hugely talented Bahamas team to World Relays

Festus Chuma 10:00 - 17.04.2024

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Association has confirmed a 27-member team for the World Athletics Relays.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) has confirmed the selection of 27 athletes for the upcoming World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024. 

This prestigious event is set to take place on May 4 and 5 at the renovated Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau. 

The spotlight is on Steven Gardiner and Devynne Charlton, two standout athletes expected to lead the host nation's efforts in front of a home crowd.

With the roster finalized, the BAAA revealed that the Bahamian team would participate in four out of the five relay categories: the men’s and women’s 4x100 meters relays, the men’s 4x400m relay, and the mixed 4x400m relay. 

Team leader David Charlton expressed confidence in the selected athletes, despite some challenges.

 “We’re very confident in this team,” he stated. “We have tested a number of them at various events, and they have proven their worth and fitness levels. Unfortunately, a number of our college athletes won’t be available due to collegiate commitments, which has impacted our ability to field a team for the women’s 4x400m relay," he told reporters.

The team for the women’s 4x100m relay includes notable sprinters such as Camille Rutherford, Devynne Charlton, and Pedrya Seymour.

On the men's side, the 4x100m relay team will feature talents like Samson Colebrooke and Ian Kerr, while the men’s 4x400m relay will see Olympic champion Steven Gardiner teaming up with Alonzo Russell and Wendell Miller among others.

In the mixed 4x400m relay, Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Anthonique Strachan, along with Steven Gardiner and Alonzo Russell, form a formidable lineup that aims to replicate the success of 2017 when The Bahamas last won the mixed relay title on home soil.

David Charlton highlighted recent performances to underline the team's preparedness.

 “Our men ran a 3:04 over the weekend, and it was encouraging to see high school athletes stepping up impressively,” he remarked. “With Shaunae and Steven back and in good form, we’re optimistic about our chances in the mixed relay and securing Olympic qualification.”

The event promises to be a crucial one, serving as a qualifier for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. 

The top 14 teams from each event will book their spots in the upcoming Olympics, adding an extra layer of competition and significance to the performances in Nassau.

The World Athletics Relays have a special resonance for The Bahamas, having hosted the first three editions in 2014, 2015, and 2017. 

After a stint in Yokohama, Japan, in 2019, and Chorzów, Poland, in 2021, the relays return to Bahamian soil, rejuvenated and ready for top-tier international competition.

In addition to the athletes, the BAAA has put together a robust support team including coaches like Pauline Davis-Thompson and Ramon Miller, team doctor Sandeep Goud, and other vital staff such as physiotherapists and massage therapists who are integral to the athletes' performance and recovery.

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