The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas could have the possibility of getting its first female player and maybe one or two male players, including a doubles team, continue the tennis tradition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

According to Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association president Elwood Donaldson, the BLTA was invited to submit a few names to the International Tennis Federation for consideration for the Olympics.

“The ITF has informed us that there are a few spots available and we have been invited to make a submission of players to be considered,” Donaldson said. “We have done that and are just waiting on the final decision by the ITF.”

The recommendation made is to include Iesha Shepherd for the women’s singles and the men’s Davis Cup team of brothers Spencer and Baker Newman, Kevin Major Jr and team captain Marvin Rolle.

While Shepherd’s recommendation is being made for singles as the top female player currently playing on the circuit, Donaldson said they have included the names of the Davis Cup players for their position as national team members.

“We are hoping that the IFT will consider our recommendation, if not for everybody, at least the female and one or two male players in singles and a doubles team.”

The BLTA has not had an Olympic qualifier since Devin Munnings participated in the men’s singles in 2008 in Beijing, China where he lost in the first round. He joined Mark Knowles, Mark Merklein and Roger Smith, who all represented the Bahamas in tennis in the past.

Smith and Knowles broke the ice when they played in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. While Smith got ousted in the first round in singles, he and Knowles’ partnership in doubles also ended in a first round exit.

Knowles then teamed up with Mark Merklein at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia where they reached the quarterfinals in men’s doubles. The duo returned for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece where they lost in the first round.

“If we can get any of these players invited based on the invitation by the ITF, it will be a big feather in our cap,” Donaldson said of the Bahamas’ projected return to the four-yearly games after missing an appearance in 2012 in London, England.

“Iesha Shepherd right now is the best female player that we have participating on the pro scene. So it would be good if she can get it.

“I know our Davis Cup team is getting ready to play in Bolivia next week, so if we can get all of them or a part of the team in, that would be fantastic for us.”

The final decision is expected to be made by the ITC to the International Olympic Committee by next weekend, the same deadline that has been set for athletics.

If any of the players are selected, they will become the second sport to be invited to participate in the games that run from August 5-21.

In February, Emily Morley was granted an invitation to represent the Bahamas in rowing. She became the first Bahamian to earn the rights to compete in the Olympics in the sport.

Rowing joins the traditional sports of athletics – track and field – and aquatics – swimming, which are also a part of Team Bahamas.

The Bahamas Swimming Federation has two swimmers who automatically qualified in Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and Joanna Evans. However, Dustin Tynes and Elvis Burrows have attained the B standard and are waiting on the final list of entries released by FINA this week.

The bulk of the qualifiers, as usual, come from track and field. While the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has compiled their list of recommended athletes, based on their qualifications, the final list of entries by the IAAF will not be completed until July 11.

That leaves a window for more athletes to attain the qualifying standards in events where the Bahamas doesn’t already have automatic qualifiers.

The Blue Marlins Track Classic, scheduled for Independence Day (July 10) at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, will serve as the final meet for qualification.

The BAAA is hoping that all four relay teams will participate in their quest to run one of the top 16 teams in the world to be invited to participate as there are no qualifying times for their events.

• The Tribune is following Team Bahamas in the build up to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and will be reporting from Brazil this summer. The ‘242 on the Road to Rio series’ appears every Monday and Thursday. Comments and responses to bstubbs@tribunemedia.net