The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RIO de Janeiro, Brazil: For the past three Olympic Games, Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands has been the lone ranger in the men’s triple jump. Now he finally has some company with NCAA champion Latario Collie having qualified to join him.

The duo will carry the Bahamian flag into competition today at the Olympic Stadium when the qualifying round is contested at 7:30am EST.

“This is a great moment for me, a moment that I’ve been waiting on for a long time,” Sands said. “Having a fellow Bahamian, someone that I mentored, who was also this year’s NCAA champion, it feels great. These are the guys I’m going to pass the torch down to.

“So I’m going to enjoy this experience because for a long time, it’s just been me out there competing for the country in the triple jump. I think it’s been over 12-14 years just me out there in the Olympics and the Worlds. But now we have Latario and a lot of other guys coming up, so it feels good to have someone to pass the torch too.”

Sands, the bronze medallist from the 2008 games in Beijing, China, is on the comeback trail after he suffered a near career-ending injury in the final of the 2012 Olympics in London, England.

“I expect greatness,” said Sands, who has documented his comeback. “I came back from a hard-fought four years from the injury. It hasn’t been easy, but now I am here. I’m just thankful to God that he has given me another chance to compete for my country in the triple jump this year at the Olympic Games here in Rio.”

Collie, who had a chance to qualify for London, but suffered an injury that prevented him from competing, said the pleasure is all his to be in company with Sands, whom he looks up to as one of his idols.

“My first time watching him was in 2008 and after that, I said ‘yeah, I have to be there’.”

And now that he’s here, Collie said he intends to make the best of his opportunity.

“I expect more than the best for me because I’ve always been good over the years and I want to continue on with my greatness,” he said.

And with this being his maiden voyage to the world’s biggest sporting stage, Collie said he’s trying to take in every bit of the exposure he can get.

Sands, however, cautioned Collie in not getting too overexcited about seeing the stars because they’re all at the same level now.

“Just treat this as a regular meet,” he pointed out to Collie. “It’s okay to take pictures, but I made the mistake my first Olympics. I was too overwhelmed by all of the stars from around the world. I was taking too many pictures and after that, I took a different approach and I was very successful in the other Olympics.

“So I would just tell him to stay focused and still set your goals and your dreams and just go for it. The sky is the limit.”

And to the 242 in The Bahamas, Sands advised them to continue to follow Team Bahamas because “we’re doing big things. I just want to shout out to everybody home in the 242. We’re going out there and we’re going to do our best and represent the Bahamas”.