The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE celebrations for Team Bahamas begin today as the country finally has an opportunity to show its appreciation to its Olympic heroes.

While several athletes are fulfilling commitments to their respective universities or on the professional circuit, and others left Rio early following the conclusion of their events, the country will see most of the team return home today.

The contingent, highlighted by 400m gold medallist Shanuae Miller will arrive

at the Lynden Pindling International Airport at 4:00 pm and we be treated to a welcome and subsequent press conference.

Afterwards there will be a motorcade to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, where there will be a reception hosted at the Western Grandstand Apron at 5pm.

The 32-member team Bahamas finished the Rio Olympic Games with two medals, several national records and a historic appearance in a new discipline.

Team Bahamas wrapped up its competition at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday night in the grand finale with the quartet of Alonzo Russell, Michael Mathieu, Steven Gardiner and Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown securing the bronze medal in the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay. 

Miller, in thrilling fashion, became the first individual gold medallist for the Bahamas since Tonique Williams-Darling in 2004.

The Bahamian contingent also included Emily Morley, who made history as the first Bahamian to compete in rowing, along with swimmers Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Joanna Evans and Dustin Tynes.

Morley made it to the E Final in the Women’s Single Sculls, while Vanderpool-Wallace just missed getting into the final of the 50m free, her specialty. Evans set two national records in the women’s 400 and 200m freestyles. She also contested the 800m free, her specialty.