The Tribune

Emily Morley made Bahamian history when she competed in the W1x (Women Singles) at the FISA Olympic Qualification Regatta at Laguna de Curauma March 13-24 in Valparaiso, Chile.

Emily rowed a tough B Final and was in the race until the final 250 metres when two boats outsprinted her and she finished 4th.

Out of 20 countries, Emily finished 10th in her first international competition which included former Olympians and competitors from the Rowing World Championships.

Morley said: “It was exciting. I think I represented The Bahamas very well and I am very proud of that. I hope my presence at these Olympic qualifiers has brought some recognition to a relatively new sport in our country.

“I think the sport has huge potential and I hope other young kids find out how much fun the great sport of rowing can be.”

Becky Robinson, Emily’s college coach who recruited her, accompanied her to Chile.

Not far behind was Emily’s father, David Morley, who made the trip to give Emily extra support.

He said that he was very proud of his daughter and thought she competed very well considering the high level of competition she was up against.

“I’m a proud papa and a very proud Bahamian, The Bahamas is on the map in the sport of rowing, we came here to compete and we did just that,” he said.

Romell Knowles, secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC), said he was very pleased that the “BOC’s strategy to promote and grow Olympic sports in the Bahamas is taking root with sports like rowing, hand ball, judo, wrestling, gymnastics, taekwondo, fencing and archery.

“I think FISA the governing body for the sport of rowing is very proactive and is doing a tremendous job of promoting the sport in the region. Emily’s presence at the Olympic Qualifiers is evident of FISA’s commitment to the Bahamas and the region.

“I am very pleased with Emily’s results, she did very well and it is our hope that she is afforded a ‘universality’ spot to compete at the Rio Olympics.”

Knowles said ‘universality positions’ are only sometimes provided to countries young in a particular Olympic sport, with outstanding developing programmes, but that he is optimistic and hopeful.

“I want to extend our congratulations to Emily on her stellar performance, finishing 10th is a huge accomplishment considering she competed against some of the best rowers in the world and it’s her very first international competition.”