The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sorts Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Tribune Sports Department extends condolences to the family of the late Leevan Sands Sr.

Sands Sr, a native of Eleuthera and a former police officer, died yesterday. He was recovering from a mild heart attack.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, his son Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands and daughter Bria Sands, who follows her big brother’s footsteps by competing in the women’s triple and high jump.

Sands Jr is the Bahamian national record holder in the triple jump with a leap of 17.59 metres that he established at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, where he secured a bronze medal. He also won bronze medals at the 2003 World Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

During his career as he transitioned from competing in basketball for the Temple Christian Suns to competing in track and field, Sands Sr and his wife, were present for just about every major international event that their son competed in.

They were there at the 2012 Olympics in London, England, where Sands Jr suffered a major injury and had to undergo surgery on his right knee.

Sands Jr was able to bounce back, but he was not as effective as he was before the injury.

Sands Jr, who went on to excel for Florida Air Academy and then Auburn University, also won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Indoor Championships in Paris, France.

Additionally, he has won four gold and two silver at the CARIFTA Games, the top regional track and field competition, a silver at the Pan American Games, three gold and a bronze at the Central American and Caribbean Championships, a bronze at the NACAC Championships and two gold and two silver at the CAC Junior Championships.

Sands Jr, the cousin of former hurdler Shamar Sands, was hired last year as an assistant coach for the Northern Colorado Track and Field programme.

Bria Sands, who emerged out of Abilene High School, is a NAIA All-American as she went on to excel at Life University under Bahamian coach Nyles Stuart.

She is now an intramural coordinator assistant at Life University.