10/11/07

By KELSIE JOHNSON, NG Sports Reporter

kelsie@nasguard.com

The accomplishments of our elite track and field athletes are surely not going unnoticed, even though some persons out there might beg to differ. A resolution was read in the House of Assembly by Minister of State for Youth and Sports, the Hon. Byran Woodside, yesterday, congratulating the athletes for their superb performances at the recently held International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

"Whereas social scientists have confirmed that the support given to athletes by the public and their governments is a reflection of the athletic culture within the country," said Woodside. "Whereas a country's inclination to honor what it has produced is an indication of the level of social development of that country and a measure of the sustainability of its culture.

"The athletes of The Bahamas performed in such an outstanding manner at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan, in September 2007, bringing the greatest international acclaim to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas."

The 19-member team, which represented The Bahamas at the championships, finished

ninth overall in the medal chart with three medals - a gold and two silvers. On the placing chart, The Bahamas was 18th overall with a total of 28 points.

Starting the medal haul for The Bahamas was Derrick Atkins, winning a silver medal in a new national record 9.91 seconds in the men's 100 meters (m). This performance was followed by Donald Thomas in the men's high jump, a gold medal clearance and world leading leap of 2.35m (7' 8 3/4"). The men's 4x400m team wasn't about to be out-done. The team of Chris Brown, Avard Moncur, Andrae Williams, Michael Matthieu and Nathaniel McKinney as alternate, clocked 2:59.18 seconds for the silver medal.

Woodside added: "By these outstanding performances in these World Championships, team Bahamas has dramatically entered the name of The Bahamas in the historical records of international sport by causing The Bahamas to be ranked among the top nine countries in the world in the discipline of athletics. Team Bahamas succeeded in exhibiting amazing fortitude throughout the physical and mental challenges of the 2007 World Championships, which represented the highest level of competition provided by the best athletes from all five continents of the world.

"Now therefore be it resolved that on behalf of the proud people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, members of this honorable House of Assembly, do pledge our fullest gratitude and register our profound respect for team Bahamas and its outstanding accomplishments at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan."

The minister's contribution was followed by praises and sentiments of gratitude by all of the remaining Members of Parliament at yesterday's sitting of the House.