The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ADRIAN Griffith can now be regarded as the elder statesman of the men’s sprints in the Bahamas, having been competing longer than any of the active local competitors. But at the age of 31, he is making just his first Olympics team and he’s excited to represent the Bahamas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next month.

Griffith, home on a break from his training in Florida, was on hand yesterday at the National Tennis Centre as the Bahamas Olympic Committee officially named the BTC Olympic team that will compete at the games in Rio August 5-21.

“I want to thank God because every four years is a process and this is my first Olympics,” said Griffith, who has been competing on the senior circuit since 2006 after he converted from the decathlon to the sprints. “It’s good to be here to represent the athletes who have been named to this team.

“I know that everybody is going to go over there to have some fun. Everybody was waiting on this official naming of the team and so now that it’s done, I know that they are looking forward to going to Rio to have some fun and to represent the Bahamas to the best of their abilities. I know everybody wants to try to come back with some type of medal.”

The BOC selected all of the athletes who made the qualifying standard, whether they were injured or not. However, they are just waiting on the final verdict with regard to the Russian Olympic Committee on whether or not they will remain suspended by the IAAF for a widespread doping violation or their ban will be lifted so that they compete.

The decision hinges on whether or not the Bahamas women’s 4 x 400m team of Carmeisha Cox, Shaquania Dorsett, Lanece Clarke and Christine Amertil will join the squad, which only has a men’s 4 x 400m team included in the list.

“I think everyone earned it. You can’t knock them down,” Griffith said. “Everybody worked hard all season, some of us coming from injuries, but we deserve to be there. You can expect everybody to do their best. You can expect some medals. Everybody is fine-tuning right now. The Olympics is the last dance, so I expect everybody to be ready to compete.”

As for Griffith, he along with qualifiers Shavez Hart and Jamial Rolle will be out to become the next Bahamian to break the 10-second barrier in the men’s 100m. No one has done it since Derrick Atkins set the stage, lowering the national record to 9.91 seconds when he won the silver at the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Griffith, who was introduced by BOC secretary general Romel Knowles as the Jamaican Usain Bolt of the Bahamas when he invited him to come to the front as he announced the team, indicating that he has qualified in both the 100 and 200.

Griffith, however, noted that he will only be concentrating on the quick straight away race in Rio as he will put his emphasis on the century and not concern himself with running the deuce in a bid to go after a double appearance in the longer half-lap race.

“I like the 100 metres.” he stated.

Griffith and the BAAA was also hoping that the men’s 4 x 100m relay would have secured one of the top 16 times in the world in order to qualify for a lane in Rio. But after falling short in their last chance meet at the Blue Marlin Classic, Griffith said they will now have to lean towards their individual events.

“We gave it our best shot, but it was a little too late,” he said. “We had the speed, but I don’t think we had sufficient time to put it all together. We just have to try again next year. But all of the guys are upbeat and I know those who have been selected to the Olympic team will go out there and give it their best shot.”