The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

ON THE eve of the 2015 IAAF/BTC World Relays, the man considered the heart of the Bahamas’ 4 x 400m relay team and the face of local track and field, Chris “Fireman” Brown, claims that “Team Bahamas is focused and ready”.

According to Brown, the “Golden Knights” have spent the last few weeks trying to stay healthy while preparing to win a gold medal they believe rightfully belongs to them. He added that task of winning amidst such stacked competition is a big job, but the Olympic gold medallist says that team Bahamas welcomes the challenge.

“I look forward to leading Team Bahamas to a gold medal. We are looking forward to having some fun, going out there to execute our race and winning a gold medal,” he said.

Brown added that the 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning team are heading into the events, which get underway on Saturday evening at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, fully confident and relaxed. He insisted that Team Bahamas does not feel pressured but is focused on proving to the world that the best men’s 4 x 400m relay team resides here in the Bahamas.

“The question shouldn't be if we can compete with America or Jamaica; the question should be about whether they can compete with Team Bahamas,” Brown said. “We have the home track advantage, we are all ready to run. It is alway a good feeling; we run all over the world so to have the opportunity to come home and run in front of a home crowd is a great feeling. The entire team is focused and ready so I am looking forward to bringing the Bahamas a title,” Brown said.

Last year the Golden Knights, who were without Ramon Miller, captured the silver medal behind a strong showing by the Jamaicans. The team projected to take the track this weekend will be made up of Miller, Brown, Latoy Williams, Michael Mathieu, Steven Gardiner and Alonzo Russell.

Demetrius Pinder, another Golden Knight, will move to the 4 x 100m race, setting up another “must-see-race” battle between Team Bahamas, Jamaica and the United States.

The Bahamas is fielding a 30-member team this year at three distances - the 100m, 200m and 400m races for men and women. Last year’s team finished eighth country overall with 15 points.

The highlight of last year’s event was the record performance by the Jamaican 4 x 200m men’s team, who set a world record of 1min18.63sec without the world’s top sprinter, Usain Bolt.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson said the Bahamas has done all necessary to place itself as a premier world-class sporting venue. He said that local athletes have continued over the years to push the Bahamian brand, adding that he believes this weekend will be no different.

“This year team Bahamas will be the show, we are pushing for more medals. There are big goals heading into this weekend but I believe we have the team to do it,” said Dr Johnson.

See Monday’s Tribune for full reports and photographs from the 2015 IAAF World Relays