The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean, Bahamian Mike Sands was afforded the opportunity to present the flowers to the Jamaican trio of Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson for their sweep of the women’s 100 metres final.

The former president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations said he was honoured to be called upon to present the 2020 Olympic Games medallists in the Tokyo National Stadium following their impressive performances on Sunday.

“NACAC athletes have taken the podium and Jamaica 1-2-3, in which could be arguably the highlights of the games,” Sands said. “So I’m honoured to be representing NACAC in this capacity.

“NACAC could not be separated from the Bahamas nor Bahamas from NACAC, simply because of the fact that the head office now resides in the Bahamas and so it has become synonymous with the Bahamas that NACAC resides in the Bahamas, albeit, we still have 36 member federations that we cater to and service, so I’m honoured and flattered for the confidence that the members of NACAC have bestowed in me to represent them and I intend to do my best, even in this award ceremony.”

As one of the most successful areas in World Athletics, Sands said the athletes from NACAC have been performing exceptional well and that was evident in the presentation to the three competitors as they continued a successful tradition of women’s sprinting over the past few games with some familiar names back in the spotlight.

Thompson-Herah, the 29-year-old reigning 100/200 champion from the 2016 Rio Olympics, won the century gold in an Olympic record time of 10.61 with Fraser-Pryce, the 34-year-old 2008 and 2012 back-to-back champion, claiming the silver in 10.74.

And 27-year-old Jackson, dropping from the 400m to the sprints, snatched the bronze in a personal best of 10.76.

Sands is hoping that he can see and possibly present the medals to the winners of the women’s 200m, hopefully with some Bahamian delight if 27-year-old Shaunae Miller-Uibo gets on the podium with any of the three colours.

He’s also hoping that Steven Gardiner will add some more Bahamian delight to the games if he can also pull through as one of the medallists in the men’s 400m final.