The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

It was another momentous day for the Bahamas at the 17th International Amateur Athletic Federation’s World Championships as Ronald Cartwright became the latest Bahamian to receive the IAAF’s Veteran Pin.

The event took place last night as the IAAF hosted a banquet at the La Castle Hotel at the end of the first day of the congress that is being held prior to the start of the World Championships on Friday.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe made the presentation to Cartwright, honouring him for his many years of dedicated service to the sport of track and field and, in particular, the Bahamas.

“I am so thankful to the federation for giving me the opportunity to be considered as a candidate for the Veteran award,” Cartwright said. “I am forever indebted to them and this is truly a reward for a lifetime commitment to the sport.”

Stanley Mitchell, who has been associated with Cartwright for more than 30 years as they’ve travelled to more track and field meets than anyone of them can remember, said it was a moment he will cherish for the rest of his life.

“It was one of the proudest moments, not only of my life, but for every Bahamian in the room,” said Mitchell, who was in attendance with a number of Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations executives, led by president Drumeco Archer, and close friends of Cartwright.

Among those present were Quintin ‘Gun’ Curry, Laura Charlton, Shaun and Maybaline Miller, outgoing IAAF Councilwoman Pauline Davis-Thompson, newly elected NACAC president Mike Sands and the Marshall brothers, Ricard, Vincent, Lincoln and Dennis.

“It is always a warm welcome to see a Bahamian mount to a stage at the very highest level and a Veteran Pin is a testimony to the work that Ronald Cartwright has done in the many years he has been in our federation, impacting so many lives and this couldn’t be a better reward for Mr Cartwright.”

Cartwright, a long-time national coach from CARIFTA to the Olympics, is travelling as a part of the Bahamian coaching staff at the championships.

Archer said that while they were only able to secure a total of $25,000 of the estimated budget of $116,000 from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, they had to obtain a loan from a private institute to satisfy their expenses to attend the championships.

“It’s been very difficult getting here,” Archer said. “The team is here, so we will be in good shape.”

A total of nine athletes, led by double national 200 and 400 metre record holders Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner, will represent the island nation.

They will only be competing in the 400m along with Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell.

Twin brothers Lathone and Latario Collie-Minns will be the first to compete when they participate in the qualifying round of the men’s triple jump on Friday.

Other members of Team Bahamas are Donald Thomas in the men’s high jump and sprinters Tynia Gaither, Anthonique Strachan and Terrance Jones in the 200m. Jones was a last minute addition to the team, having received an invitation from the IAAF to compete.

The Bahamas, however, will not have any teams entered in any relays.