The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard called it a fantastic day for Team Bahamas after he watched national record holder Steven Gardiner speed to a silver medal in the men’s 400 metres on Tuesday at the 16th IAAF World Championships.

“We were hoping that he could shock the world and in many ways he did,” said Pintard of Gardiner’s time of 44.41 seconds to trail world record holder Wayde van Niekiek of South Africa, who successfully defended his title in 43.98.

Pintard, in his first major international event since taking on his new role in the Free National Movement government, said he’s been quite impressed with what he saw so far from the 24-member team representing the Bahamas.

“Fans are quite excited. I wished all of them were in one section so people could actually see how many people came to London,” he said. “We spent some time with them upstairs and some of the athletes came downstairs and there were others there throughout the stadium.

“We know that the patriotism that we are known for is strong. We certainly can increase the number of Bahamians who travel to those events and I would love to be a part of that.”

Since arriving in London from the Youth Minister’s Meeting, Pintard said he and his Director of Sports, Timothy Munnings, have been engaged in a series of meetings with the IAF and other government officials from around the world, talking about ways they could collaborate with the Bahamas to provide more avenues for Bahamians to excel at home or overseas.

And, with five more days to go, Pintard said he’s looking for more medals to come for the Bahamas, now tied with seven other countries for 17th place on the medal chart.

Munnings, a member of the men’s 4 x 400m relay team that clinched the country’s first medal in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada, said it’s always good when he can come back and watch the current athletes perform.

“It’s always a proud moment, especially when they do well,” he said. “Steven showed that his body and his training has matured, that he’s been able to run each of three hard rounds and the times would say that they were hard rounds.

“He persevered and he came out with a medal. For a young man who came from a very small island with little or no facilities, to come here and to be a world beater, that’s commendable.”

Team Bahamas head coach Dianne Woodside-Johnson said what Gardiner achieved was tremendous.

“I think he shocked himself and he shocked all of us as well,” she said. “I was speaking with his coach back in the warm up area and he said he worked extremely hard this year to get to where he’s at.

“He wasn’t as relaxed as he was in the semi-final. The time was a little slower, but I think he did a wonderful job coming through the rounds. That was one of his weaknesses prior and he did it in good form and fashion and came out with the silver medal for the Bahamas.”

Woodside-Johnson said the team’s camp couldn’t ask for anything more.

“He did a wonderful job,” she stated.

Next up is Miller-Uibo today when she contests the final of the women’s 400m at 4:50 pm EST. Woodside-Johnson said they’re looking for another medal as she looked good in her rounds too.

“She didn’t exert too much energy, so we are definitely looking forward to some good things from Shaunae Miller-Uibo,” Johnson-Woodside projected.