The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England — For the past three years, Demetrius Pinder has exploded through the finish line as the Bahamas’ national men’s 400 metres champion.

Now, in his first appearance at the Olympic Games, the Grand Bahamian native is looking forward to scoring a similar success.

“Everything is new to me. This is my first Olympics, but I like the experience so far,” he said. “I’m not really trying to focus on all of the hype right now. I’m more focused on the task at hand. I really want to make the country proud this time around.”

As a first time competitor to the biggest global sporting spectacular in the world, Pinder said he’s been “staying in my room, relaxing and keeping my legs up.”

The 23-year-old has some specially designed sneakers that are draped in the colours of the national flag that have been turning a lot of heads at the games village. The shoes were set to Pinder from his parents, who are expected here next week to watch him compete.

“I just want to go out there and do my best,” he said. “Once I am Demetrius Pinder, I know that I can come out with a medal.”

To the Bahamian people who couldn’t and won’t be able to make the trek all the way to London, Pinder said read about it in The Tribune because “it’s going to be spectacular.”

The way he’s been performing in his first year on the pro circuit after graduating from college, Pinder said he knows it’s only a matter of time now.

Pinder has produced the second fastest time by a Bahamian in 44.77 at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ ScotiaBank Nationals last month, which is also the fastest time posted so far this year by a Bahamian. When he calculates those feats, which is the eighth fastest time in the world, Pinder believes it should put him in a position to contend for a medal on Monday night.