The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England: With the 2012 Olympic Games in full gear, Bahamians residing in London and those visiting London have been flocking to Bahamas House.

The house, which is adjacent to the residence of Bahamas British High Commissioner Paul Farquharson, has been a home away from home from Bahamians to mix and mingle and reacquaint themselves with fellow Bahamians, including members of Team Bahamas, who have been making frequent stops when they are not competing.

Farquharson, who has served as the Commissioner since resigning as the Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force five years ago, said he’s delighted to have the opportunity to open the doors to any and every Bahamian.

“This has been an extremely important experience for all of us,”

Farquharson said. “Two years ago, myself and my staff thought we would share the public space in Bahamas House with our athletes. They are the priority and their families. We also thought we would allow those Bahamians living in London to mix and mingle with the Bahamian stars and the Bahamians who have come to London.”

The Bahamas House Olympic experience got jump started with the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) welcome reception that was held last week for the athletes, followed by the reception that Farquharson hosted with members of his staff and attended by Governor General, Arthur and Lady Foulkes as well as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr Daniel Johnson his Director of Sports, Timothy Munnings and his wife, Ruth.

But Farquharson said they are eager about hosting the delayed 39th anniversary of the Independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas that will take place on the Roof Terrance of the IMO Headquarters.

“We wanted to accommodate the athletes and their families as they intermingle with Bahamians who live in London to make sure that they can meet them up close,” Farquharson said. “They only get to see these talented young Bahamians on television, but they will now have the opportunity to meet them up close and personal. We’re going to have a wonderful time.”

On Wednesday night as Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace competed in the semifinal of the Women’s 100m Freestyle at the Aquatics Centre, Farquaharson said Bahamas House was jam packed with Bahamians who stopped in after work to cheer her on. He anticipated that as the track and field competition starts he expects to have more Bahamians come along

“We had a wonderful time, but we know that when track and field start, we will be letting our hair down as we root for the athletes,” he said. “What I would want the community back home to do is to pray for our athletes. They need our prayers because they are the future of the Bahamas and we need to root for them. I believe if we uphold them in our prayers, we can walk away from these games with a couple of medals.”

Farquharson said he’s been home sick so he’s delighted whenever he gets to see a Bahamian, especially those who are coming to London. That, he said, is the reason why he and the 16 member staff at the Embassy have decided to open Bahamas House to accommodate one and all.