Daily Archives: May 6, 2024

Some FNM supporters shouted one leader in support of Pintard, who was flanked by Symonette and another former deputy prime minister, Peter Turnquest, when he went to the partys headquarters to sign his nomination papers.

I am 69, its time for us to step aside and let the younger generation have control of the country and run it because they have great ideas and they are great people, Symonette said, adding you know what the FNM wouldve won the last general election if their supporters had turned out to vote.

If you look at the number of people that did not turn out to vote and the majority of the reason that they did not turn out to vote, I think its a proven fact that they did not support the Minnis government.

So thats another reason to give the young man Mr Pintard a chance because when Dr Minnis had a chance, it didnt work out. Step aside and let the new generation take over and run this country, he said.

But Minnis, who resigned as leader in 2021 and has never lost a contest at the FNM convention, said he wants to return as the leader of the party because he has unfinished business.

Many have asked why have I at this time put forth my nomination, especially when the press and many others were asking me this one important question for well over a year now and I had refused to answer such a question.

My view is and I would hope others would share a similar view, we had a leader of the party. Michael Pintard was a duly elected leader of the Free National Movement and there was no other post available at that time, and as leader, I respected that position, and I respected all other positions within the party.

But once a convention is called, then all posts become available and at that time, I think everybody who wants to be nominated for a post can come forth and express their views, but until then I think we should respect those who are in positions and that was the reason, Minnis said after handing in his nomination papers.

The FNMs one-day convention will be held at Baha Mar on June 1 and Minnis said I have not completed some of the things I wanted to do.

My most happiest moments in politics are when I see young people exceed, when I see young people become entrepreneurs and doing well. Thats my most happiest moment in politics.

My most saddened moment in politics is when I see individuals come into politics saying they want to serve the country, and then you discover that they are more interested in serving themselves, that is very depressing.

Former health minister Renward Wells, has thrown his support behind Minnis, saying I saw his leadership.

I saw the kind of character he put forward in chaos, in challenge, and to me that was admirable. I saw his leadership in trying and testing times and so I grew fond of that kind of leadership, he added.

For his part, Pintard is supporting a generational shift, noting we recognise clearly that while we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served us in the past, we owe no one our future except our children and our grandchildren.

The convention is important. What we have had is persons who have an alternative view of our country and how the party should be run. It is our obligation to give all and sundry an opportunity to share their alternative vision and let the delegates decide.

He reminded supporters that in the last election, the country determined Minnis leadership was not appropriate, not adequate, and again thats not lost on our delegates as well.

We believe that while grateful for all that has been done by past leadership, we offer better and have been delivering and will continue to deliver better, said Pintard, who at the last convention received 297 votes to Kwasi Thompsons 120.

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Bahamas: Contest for leadership of opposition party heats up | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean

Junkanoo, a Bahamian national festival, will be the centerpiece at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the Disney Cruise Line private destination opening in the Bahamas in June.

The celebration's brilliant colors, costumes, assortment of sounds like cowbells and drums, and its culture will be woven throughout the destination's experience, Disney's creative team said.

"Junkanoo needs to be experienced firsthand. You're talking about that rhythm, the click of the cowbells, the goat skin drum, that really is a vibrancy that you have in your spirit when you're there in person," said Kassandra Rose, a Disney Walt Imagineer.

Lookout Cay, located on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, (pronounced "key") will be the second private destination for Disney Cruise Line. Castaway Cay, a standalone island, opened in 1998.

Whereas Castaway Cay tells the story of a fictional deserted island, Lookout Cay will tell the stories of a people and culture with the help of familiar Disney characters, executives said during a virtual media event Thursday.

"At the very core, we at Disney are storytellers. The Bahamian people that we've talked to, they are storytellers as well," said Denise Case, director of entertainment creative for Disney Live Entertainment. "To learn their story and to be able to bring their story to everyone who visits Lookout Cay, I think that's what's going to make this experience just so special."

The Disney team has worked with the National Junkanoo Committee for more than a year while developing the destination. Stories will be told through parades across the islands, architecture and artwork.

The Goombay Cultural Center pavilion will introduce guests to the history, music and costumes of Junkanoo. Guests will also have an opportunity to make their own Junkanooo headpieces to wear to Rush, the Junkanoo celebration that will parade across the island. A Junkanoo group will perform for guests and meet up with traditional Disney characters donned in their costumes.

Structurally, the designs of buildings for big gatherings are inspired by local shells with hand-drawn patterns, said Rose. Underneath the roofline will be hand-painted conches and palms as expressions of local Bahamian art. Smaller buildings will be inspired by the colors of Junkanoo. Other spaces, like the cabanas, will feature murals of local flora and fauna.

Lookout Cay will have activities, including a dance party, Bahamian games and original music, such as a Rescue Rangers song mixed with Bahamian beats. Other games will include a pineapple ring toss, a nod to the production of pineapples in the Bahamas, and hula hoops.

The destination will also have nature trails. An app will have information about the plants and animals at Lookout Cay.

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Disney Cruise Line details the Junkanoo theme at new Bahamas destination - Travel Weekly

Theres so much to race for at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 and in the womens 4x100m, athletes from 30 teams will be battling it out for Olympic places, prize money and bragging rights.

For all five of the events in Nassau, the top 14 teams in each will automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Since the last edition of the World Athletics Relays, either the United States or Jamaica have won the three major global titles on offer, and theyll renew their rivalry this weekend (4-5 May).

Jamaica claimed the Olympic crown ahead of USA in Tokyo, before USA won world gold in Oregon and retained the title in Budapest, both times beating Jamaica.

In Nassau, the US team will feature four of the athletes who helped their nation to top of the podium in Budapest: individual 200m silver medallist Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis, who both raced in the final, are joined by heat runners Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson. Mikiah Brisco, who formed part of a US team that ran a world-leading 41.94 in Gainesville earlier this month, and Celera Barnes add further strength to the squad.

While the Jamaican team also boasts much quality, just two of the team members from those three global finals return. Natasha Morrison and Remona Burchell both ran in the heats in Tokyo, while the consistent Morrison also a world relay gold medallist in Beijing and Doha led off for Jamaica in Budapest last year.

The squad is not lacking speed, however, and their teammate Alana Reid, theworld U20 200m bronze medallist,set a national U20 100m record of 10.92 last year.

But in Nassau it will be far from a two-way fight. Great Britain bagged bronze in Tokyo and Budapest and the squad this time includes returning team members Asha Philip, Imani Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Annie Tagoe. Lansiquot has already run 11.02 just 0.03 off her PB this season.

The other medallist from those three major finals is Germany, the 2017 World Relays winner. Two of the four 2022 bronze medal-winning team members are in Nassau: Rebekka Haase and Gina Luckenkemper.

Italy won at the last edition of the World Relays in Silesia in 2021, and two members of that team Anna Bongiorni and Irene Siragusa return to defend the title.

Other teams who will be pushing for the podium as well as Olympic places will be Poland, featuring world indoor 60m silver medallist Ewa Swoboda, and Cote d'Ivoire, with multiple major medallist Marie-Josee Ta Lou, plus their fellow 2023 world finalists Netherlands and Switzerland.

France, with Gemima Joseph who recently ran a 100m PB of 11.04, will want to secure that spot for the home Olympics.

The Canadian squad stars the new national record-holder Audrey Leduc, who ran 10.96 just over a week ago, while the Australian team includes Torrie Lewis, the 19-year-old who won the 200m at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, alongside her fellow area record-setting teammates Bree Masters, Ella Connolly and Ebony Lane.

The host nations squad features 60m hurdles world champion and world record-holder Devynne Charlton and Charisma Taylor, who finished sixth in the 60m hurdles and the triple jump on the same day at the World Indoor Championships.

Ecuador's 4x100m women made history in Silesia as they achieved their nations first ever Olympic relay spot by finishing fifth at the World Relays. Three years on, Angela Gabriela Tenorio and Gabriela Anahi Suarez are back, hoping to help their nation now secure a place for Paris.

Like Cote d'Ivoire, teams from Austria, Estonia, Hungary and Liberia are competing at the World Athletics Relays for the first time.

Jess Whittington for World Athletics

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WRE Bahamas 24 preview: rivalries renewed in women's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics

The Bahamas Mixed 4x400 metre relay team has secured their spot at the Paris Olympic Games.

The quartet of Steven Gardiner, Shania Adderley, Alonzo Russell and Shaunae Miller-Uibo ran a new national record of 3:12.81 to win their qualifier ahead of Jamaica at the World Athletics Relay Championships in Nassau.

The Jamaicans also booked their tickets to Paris 2024 with their second-place finish.

Following the race, Miller-Uibo, who is getting back into top form after her recent pregnancy, said she felt honoured racing in front of the home crowd.

It was an honour to compete in the front of our Bahamian crowd! They brought the energy we needed to book our tickets to the Olympic Games this summer, and we say thank you, she wrote on Instagram.

Major shoutout to our junior athlete @shaniaadderley , whos only 16 years old. She stepped up at the very last minute for the team and its because of her bravery and effort that we were able to qualify. You have a bright future ahead of you Shania and you are going to the Olympics!

Photo: World Athletics

The Bahamians will compete against the likes of the United States of America, France, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Poland and Nigeria in Paris 2024.

The Mixed 4x400 metre Heats is set to take place on August 2, 2024 in the Stade de France.

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Bahamas Mixed Relay squad punches ticket to Paris Olympics | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean

The two-day World Athletics Relays begin this evening in the Bahamas with Jamaica having teams in all five events scheduled.

Action begins at 6:05 p.m. (Jamaica time) with the heats of the 4x400 metres mixed relay. Jamaica will run in heat one where their main rivals are the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands and hosts Bahamas. Favourites the United States will run in heat two.

A lot of focus will be on Jamaicas womens and mens 4x100 metres teams. Most of the islands top female sprinters are not in the Bahamas and they will struggle to get a medal in an event where the United States have sent a strong team. The American team will feature four of the athletes who helped their nation to top of the podium in Budapest: individual 200m silver medallist Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis, who both raced in the final, are joined by heat runners Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson.

Jamaicas team will be led by Natasha Morrison and Remona Burchell and should also include rising sprint star Alana Reid. Jamaica will run in heat two after the United States take the track in heat one. The first heat is set for 6:53 p.m. Jamaica time.

In the mens event Jamaica will have a fairly strong team. The squad includes world indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, world finalist Ryiem Forde and World University Games champion Kadrian Goldson. Jamaica will line up in heat three against Canada and Australia while their main rivals the United States are in heat one. The opening heat for the men goes off at 7:27 p.m. Jamaica time.

The heats of the womens and mens 4x400 metres will also be run this evening starting at 8:01 Jamaica time.

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World Relays start today in Bahamas | Sports - Jamaica Gleaner

The sprint world descends upon Nassau, Bahamas. With the likes of Noah Lyles, Femke Bol, Ferdinand Omanyala, Torrie Lewis, Christian Coleman, Audrey Leduc, Andre de Grasse, Zarnel Hughes, Bianca Williams, Ackeem Blake, and Marco Arop to name a few.

The World Athletics Relays are happening at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau on May 4-5. The meet will be a prelude to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games relay races. The very best in the world are assembling in Nassau to qualify for Paris.

This event is the crucial Olympic qualifying event for the worlds top-performing athletes from more than 40 countries. We invite you to follow these athletes on their sensational journeys from tropical paradise to the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Its time to Chase the Sun in every sense of the word from Paradise to Paris, reads the World Athletics website.

Nassau is the hotspot. This years relays will be the fourth in six years at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. In 2021 it was Chorzw, Poland and 2019, Yokohama, Japan.

The worlds best athletes head to The Bahamas for the World Athletics Relays on 4-5 May and you can keep up to date with the latest on the World Athletics website, its associated platforms and via a number of broadcasters around the world.

The mixed 4x400m Olympic qualifying round 1 kicks things off at 7:05 pm local time on Saturday and the mens 4x400m final will bring the competition to a close from 10:20 pm on Sunday.

Heres how you can watch and follow it all.

The World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 will be streamed live in a number of territories onWorld Athletics Inside Track, as well as via broadcasters around the world.

Simply select the country you are in from the dropdown menu and the information will appear below it as soon as it becomes available from broadcasters so check back regularly.

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World Relays are happening this weekend in the Bahamas - Athletics Illustrated

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) has released a statement apologizing for the human error that led to a team being listed as a Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team.

Screenshots sparked a firestorm of controversy on social media, with some offended over the name, which was displayed next to only the Bahamian flag on broadcast graphics.

The statement explained: This race was run at the Pre-Game Show of the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas24, a show designed to create a legacy for our sport by integrating our young kids into a world-class track and field competition. It is an event intended to inspire athletes as young as 7 up to under 20.

This engagement of athletes was extended to clubs, high schools, and athletes with disabilities, with the added component of the top three countries from Carifta Games, who competed in the Under 20 girls and boys division of the 4100 and Mixed Relays.

Team Haiti was invited to compete at the Pre-Game Show; however, they could not attend. As a result, a club requested that members of his club make up a team to represent Haiti.

The statement indicated that this expression of interest was based on the club having sufficient athletes of Haitian descent. It further noted that at all times, the Federation was aware of this request and approved it, albeit under some conditions that were not met.

Those conditions included that the team seek sanctioning from the Haitian Athletic Federation to be represented under the Haitian flag, and that failure to meet the requirement of an all-Haitian member team should be named an Unattached Team.

At no time did the Federation agree to a team being named a Haitian-Bahamas All-Star Team, as no such country exists, the statement continued.

Unfortunately, this escaped the meet management personnel and, by extension, the broadcasting team, both of whom were responsible for team data entry.

The BAAAs offered a full apology to the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the people of the Republic of Haiti.

Originally posted here:

"GROSS OVERSIGHT:" BAAAs apologizes for naming of "Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team" - EyeWitness News

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed anticipation for an electrifying relay event as athletes from around the globe gathered in Nassau for the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, scheduled for this weekend, May 4-5.

With the event serving as the main qualifier for relay competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, anticipation is high as multiple world and Olympic champions prepare to compete for coveted Paris spots, World Relays titles, and prize money.

Coe, speaking to the media on the eve of the event, praised the impressive line-up of athletes, including renowned champions such as Noah Lyles, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Marcell Jacobs, and Devynne Charlton. He hailed the gathering of athletes as a star-studded cast and emphasized the significance of the event as a pivotal moment for relay athletics.

Reflecting on the choice of The Bahamas as the events host, Coe highlighted the countrys rich history in track and field, particularly in relay competitions. He commended the warm hospitality and genuine passion for the sport exhibited by the people of the islands, making The Bahamas a fitting venue for such a prestigious event.

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture for The Bahamas, Mario Bowleg, expressed delight in welcoming the worlds top relay runners to the country. Acknowledging the privilege of hosting the event, Bowleg thanked World Athletics and other organizing bodies for ensuring the success of the World Relays.

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Former Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross, who competed in previous editions of the World Relays in The Bahamas, emphasized the unique atmosphere and camaraderie of relay competitions. She praised the event for providing athletes with the opportunity to represent their countries and enjoy the thrill of competition alongside teammates.

As athletes gear up for fierce competition and the quest for Olympic qualification, excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling showcase of relay athleticism at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24.

The World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 is poised to deliver a captivating display of athletic prowess and team spirit, setting the stage for an exhilarating prelude to the Paris Olympics. With top athletes ready to showcase their talents on the track, anticipation mounts for an unforgettable weekend of relay action in Nassau.

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Read: World Champs medalists lead Jamaican teams for World Athletics Relays

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World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 set to showcase star-studded cast ahead of Paris Olympics - caribbeannationalweekly.com

Three global championships have been held since the last edition of the World Relays, and each one has produced a different winner of the mens 4x100m.

All three of those gold-medal-winning nations will clash at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 in what looks set to be one of the most competitive races of the weekend.

Italy pulled off a surprised triumph at the 2021 World Relays in Silesia. At the time, it seemed as though they benefitted from a depleted field, given that the pandemic meant that relay powerhouses USA and Jamaica did not send a team.

But at the Olympic Games later that year, with all countries fielding their best squads, Italy proved their relay success was no fluke as they powered to victory in 37.50.

The four men who stood atop the podium on that occasion in Tokyo Lorenzo Patta, individual Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, Eseosa Desalu and Filippo Tortu have been named on Italys team for this years World Relays.

Like any team lining up in Nassau, their main goal will be to ensure their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where theyll be aiming to defend their Olympic title.

But a strong US squad also heads to Nassau highly motivated to perform well in the mens 4x100m.

The sprints superpower struck gold in the 4x100m at the World Championships in Budapest last year. World 100m and 200m champion Noah Lyles anchored the US to relay victory ahead of Italy in the Hungarian capital last year, but he is the only member of that victorious quartet wholl be in action this weekend.

The other members of the USAs World Relays squad are certainly no slouch, though. Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, world 200m leader Courtney Lindsey and NCAA medallist Pjai Austin all of whom have identical 100m PBs of 9.89 add strength to the US team.

All four men who carried Canada to 4x100m victory at the 2022 World Championships including Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse will also be in action. The Olympic silver medallists will be keen to make amends after missing out on the World Championships final last year.

Jamaica has earned just one medal 2023 world bronze from the past three global championships, but theres no denying they have the speed and depth to challenge for major titles. Their squad for Nassau includes three sub-10-second sprinters, including world indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, world finalist Ryiem Forde and World University Games champion Kadrian Goldson.

Great Britain & Northern Ireland, who took world bronze in 2022 and finished just 0.04 shy of the podium at last years World Championships, have also fielded a strong team of numerous sub-10-second performers. World bronze medallist and 2023 world leader Zharnel Hughes will be joined by the likes of Reece Prescod, Eugene Amo-Dadzie, CJ Ujah and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.

Olympic bronze medallists China head to Nassau as the fastest nation in the world this year. Their quartet of Su Bingtian, Xie Zhenye, Wu Zhiqiang and Chen Jiapeng clocked 38.28 at the East Coast Relays last weekend, and all four of those sprinters will be in action in Nassau.

Many other teams will be hopeful of claiming a place in the final or at least a position in the top 14 placed teams that will earn Olympic qualification.

Nigeria won the African Games title last month, while Thailand took a surprise victory at last years Asian Championships. Japan placed second at the last World Relays in 2021 and finished fifth at the World Championships last year. Brazil, meanwhile, were the surprise winners at the 2019 World Relays.

South Africa, France and the Netherlands all have the potential to earn a place in the 4x100m final too.

The main goal, however, will be to simply get the baton around safely.

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

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WRE Bahamas 24 preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics