The Tribune

SWIFT Athletics head coach Andrew Tynes said many sporting medals and trophies may well be in the Bahamas’ future thanks in part to the well of athletic potential within the B3A-sanctioned track and field club.

“Swift Athletics got its start four years ago,” Tynes said. “We normally take on about 40 kids but this year we have 55 and the amount of talent in that pool is undeniable.”

A former Olympian and NCAA champion himself, Tynes said he is proud of the effect the club has had, and also the support it has gotten from annual sponsors like Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO).

“Our athletes have been successful since the first year we formed. Some of them have made the CARIFTA team, which is one of the highest competing junior leagues in the world, and also many have been to the Junior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Junior IAAF World Championships,” Tynes said.

“Every year we continue to send junior athletes to CARIFTA, the CAC, and the Pan-American Juniors, so this year we’re looking forward to sending a lot more. We’re training the future Olympians of The Bahamas. Corporate support goes a long way in what we try to do, and because of repeat sponsor CWCO we’re able to provide uniforms and t-shirts for every single athlete on our team.”

Tynes said he established Swift Athletics with the objective of helping “inner city kids” become professional athletes and obtain scholarships to attend private schools in Nassau and colleges abroad.

“It takes a village to raise a child. What I look at when selecting prospective athletes is the child and the environment that he or she comes from.

“I was inspired to start Swift Athletics because people did this kind of stuff for me.

“I grew up in humble beginnings in Kemp Road, and went to the highest level – went to the University of Texas at El Paso and became a worldwide competitor and champion – because of the help I received from others,” Tynes said.

“So I believe for a country to be productive, we as our former athletes and as good citizens need to give back. We’re not just training these kids to be professional athletes and Olympians, but future law-abiding citizens as well.”

CWCO General Manager Bryan Russell said they were happy to assist in the programme.

“CWCO is proud to support an organisation like Swift Athletics that is recognising the sporting talent we have in our country and also contributing to the overall development of these students not just as athletes, but as citizens,” Russell said.