The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT HAS been a while since sprinter Derrick Atkins made an impression on the track, but the world’s second fastest man in 2007 said he’s not done yet.

In fact, the men’s 100 metre national record holder, and the only Bahamian to run legally under 10 seconds, has indicated that his plans are to be in the aquamarine, gold and black uniform at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, in August.

Atkins, the 31-year-old graduate of both CR Walker and Dickinson State University where he excelled, dispelled any rumours that he has retired.

“I’m not done. I had some personal medical issues that I had to take care of and which I don’t care to talk about,” he told The Tribune from his home in the US over the weekend. “I’m still competing. Right now, it’s just a health issue why I haven’t done anything or competed yet.”

While he was one of the top local sprinters on government subvention who was conspicuously absent from the IAAF World Relays held May 2-3 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Atkins said he and his Bahamian coach and agent Dominic Demeritte are working feverishly on getting him ready to return home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships in June and subsequently the trek to Beijing.

And although he has not ran faster than 10.08 seconds when he represented the Bahamas at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London where he got fourth in the semi-finals of the 100m but didn’t make it to the final, Atkins knows that he will have to be prepared to clock 10.16 or faster in order to book his trip to compete in the Bird’s Nest, the same venue where the 2008 Olympics was staged.

Following his historic performance in 2007 in Osaka, Japan, where he clocked an astonishing 9.91 seconds for the Bahamas national record and the silver medal behind American Tyson Gay and ahead of Jamaican race favourite Asafa Powell, Atkins also missed a spot in the final at the Beijing Olympics where he ran 10.13 for sixth in his semi-final.

“My preparation and training is going slow, but I hope to be ready this year,” Atkins said.

Atkins said he has some lofty goals this year as he attempts to return to international stardom. He was inducted in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of fame for his college career, which includes three team national track and field championships, seven-time individual national champion, 15 National NAIA All-American honours, nine time DAC-10 All Conference honours and Dickinson State University male athlete of the year.

“The goal is to make the World team (for the Bahamas),” Atkins said.

When asked if it’s for an individual event and or as a member of the men’s 4 x 100 metre relay team, if they get the opportunity to qualify, Atkins quickly quipped: “relay and an individual event.”

Having not competed since June 2014, Atkins said he’s not concerned about shaking off the rust.

“I will be fine,” he said. “My training is coming along good. I’m just going to do what I have to do to make the world team.”

And when exactly does he intend to make his debut this year? Atkins said he’s just waiting on the medical clearance which could come any day now. When he does, Atkins said he intends to take care of business.