The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MOSCOW, Russia — The 14th IAAF World Championships didn’t end the way Team Bahamas expected.

Team performances are based primarily on medals and the Bahamas fell short in that category, missing out on making the podium for the first time at these biennial championships since 1993 in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Bahamas did however end up tied with seven other countries for 30th on the placement chart.

While we were not successful in winning a medal, the Bahamas still made its presence felt at the biggest showpiece of athletic talent on the planet.

To have a 19-year-old step into the limelight in the final of the women’s 200 metres is a feat within itself that is worthy of praise.

Yes, Shaunae Miller was indeed the bridesmaid of the Bahamas’ appearance here over the nine days of competition.

But I have to admit that the sensational run by the women’s 4 x 100 metre relay team was one that will be talked about for a while. How about the anchor leg by vintage Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie.

The 37-year-old looked like a 17-year-old in her prime as she stormed back on the final leg to pull the Bahamas from third place to a remarkable victory in their heat. But, unfortunately, the win was called back after it was discovered that Sheniqua ‘Q’ Ferguson stepped in the line running on the first leg.

It would have been the epic experience for the Bahamas to have gone head-to-head with the Jamaicans and the United States for the first time since the ‘Golden Girls’ reigned supreme in 1999 in Seville, Spain.

Jamaica, of course, went on to win in a championship record of 41.29 with the largest margin of victory ever, leaving the United States trailing behind in 42.75. Great Britain got the bronze in 42.87.

The debate no doubt will go on about just exactly where the Bahamas could have factored into the final if they were not disqualified until they renew their rivalry next year when the IAAF brings the inaugural World Relays to the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium in May.

One of the questions many will be asking is whether or not Usain Bolt will make an appearance for Jamaica at the relays.

While his compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was crowned the queen of the ball with her triple gold medal performance in the women’s 100m, 200m and anchor on the 4 x 100m relay, Bolt matched that with his triumph in the men’s events and was once again dubbed “king of the sprints.”

Of course there were some match-ups that many anticipated but never materialised because some of the key athletes like American Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards, Jamaicans Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Sherone Simpson, along with St Kitts and Nevis’ Kim Collins.

The Bahamas was not exempted as Derrick Atkins, Trevor Barry and Demetrius Pinder pulled out because of injuries and Trevorvano Mackey was left home because of a doping violation that stemmed from the BAAA Nationals in Grand Bahama in June.

Although here, Ramon Miller was not at full strength and versatile Michael Mathieu, who was a key factor in both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay, if needed, never got to compete because of an injury.

So even though the contagious injury bug and the drug scandal hit us just as it did other countries, the Bahamas still feared well for such a small nation. Once again, we were right up there per capita.

Bahamians should be proud of the achievement of Team Bahamas.

Yes we didn’t get any medals this time but neither did Grenada, whose hopes were built on Kirani James, who faded from defending world champion and reigning Olympic champion to seventh place finisher in the men’s 400m final.

As it played, Jamaica succeeded in the final two major events on the final day pf competition in the 4 x 100m relays. However, it was the Russians who got the last laugh as they took advantage of their home soil to beat out the United States in the gold medal rush - 7-6.

The Americans revised the total medal tally with a 25-17 advantage.

The 15th IAAF World Championships is scheduled to be held in 2015 in Beijing, China, home of the 2000 Olympic Games.

As host of these 14th championships, Russia, which had the distinction of staging the 1980 Olympics, should be commended for putting on a splendid high level competition from the organisation to the accommodations.

Unlike many had predicted, the people for the most part were quite friendly and were able to cater to just about all of your needs, including speaking English fluently. So hats off to Russia.

And as scripted by Michael Lucas in his famous movie: “To Moscow with love.”

It was certainly a grand trip, one that I won’t forget, even though Team Bahamas didn’t fulfil my desire to see at least one athlete ascend the podium and our national flag raised in the Luzhniki Grand Sports Complex.