Monthly Archives: July 2024

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has formally asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send diplomatic notes requesting Scotland Yards help investigating voice notes that purport to capture a quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer and a gang leader.

Scotland Yard is the United Kingdoms Metropolitan Police force that is responsible for policing Greater London.

The request for its help comes after Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis earlier this week said that international assistance would ensure an actual independent review and he was leaving it up to the police to define the parameters of that assistance.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander during a press conference said the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the local police force would lead the investigation.

SIB is responsible for matters relating to the internal security of The Bahamas, it provides protection for ministers and foreign dignitaries and also vets people for various purposes and is tasked with preventing terrorism.

Commissioner Fernander added that the Inspectorate Board the Police Complaints Inspectorate will supervise SIBs investigation.

This comes as the police force was plunged into controversy after voice notes last week captured conversations involving a senior police officer, a lawyer and two murdered gang leaders: Michael Fox, Jr, and Dino Smith.

The Tribune newspaper this week reported that Michael Fox Sr, the father of Fox, Jr, and Sandra Smith, the mother of Smith, said their sons told them to release the recordings if something happened to them.

Smith said she never got the voice notes, while Fox, Sr, said he had them, but was not behind their release.

The leaked voice notes feature conversations seemingly about an arrangement that would allow the police to drop their investigation into Fox and his associates.

Police had issued wanted posters for Fox and Dino Smith concerning the theft of US$1,475,000 from an unattended security vehicle transporting cash for the Bank of the Bahamas to a private airport on November 2. However, the men were never charged with the incident.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said he found the voice notes terribly disturbing.

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Bahamas: Scotland Yard called to help in probe involving senior cop - Loop News Caribbean

Although blue holes can be found around the worldin fact, one of the largest blue holes ever discovered is in the South China Seathe Bahamas has the highest concentration of these geological wonders. While more than 200 of these blue holes can be found encircling the countrys largest island, Andros, the most perplexing of these holes is found southwest of Andros around Long Island.

Called Deans Blue Hole (named after a Bahamian fisherman), this impressive marine formation, located in a protected bay west of Clarence Town, is the third-deepest blue hole in the world, measuring at a staggering 663 feet deepmost blue holes are only half that deep. Because of its immense stature, free divers have broken world records in its waters and many local legends say its actually a portal to hell.

Although scientists have estimated its depth, no human has ever visited the bottom. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Shnlein wants to change that. Although Shnlein founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush in 2009, he left the company in 2013a full decade before the OceanGate submersible implosion that claimed the lives of five people (including Rush) while exploring the wreckage of the Titanic. Now Shnlein helms another company, Blue Marble Exploration, which aims to explore some of the most unreachable parts of the world.

Of course, there are a few things that differentiate this mission from last years doomed implosion. For one, this blue hole isnt nearly as deep as the Titanic, which rests in the bathypelagic zone some 12,500 feet below the waters surface. However, exploring Deans Blue Hole comes with some additional challenges, as the team will likely encounter human remains during its exploration, as many divers have died in recent years exploring the site or attempting world records. In 2013, for example, American freediver Nicholas Mevoli died while attempting to set a world record at the Blue Hole.

According to the companys website, the team plans to conduct the first comprehensive scientific survey of the area using remotely operated vehicle technology, and Shnlein confirmed with The Independent that the expedition would only feature trained professionals and scientists, not tourists. Its not known when exactly this expedition will get underway.

While exploring the portal to hell is quite the adventure, it pales in comparison to some of Shnleins other lofty plans for exploration, including a 1,000-person expedition to start a colony in the atmosphere of Venus, which has also been described as a virtual hell.

Im sensing a theme here.

Darren lives in Portland, has a cat, and writes/edits about sci-fi and how our world works. You can find his previous stuff at Gizmodo and Paste if you look hard enough.

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Scientists Are Planning on Plunging Into the World's 'Portal to Hell' - Popular Mechanics

A same-sex couple has filed a lawsuit against the Turks and Caicos Islands government after it refused to legally recognize their marriage.

Richard Sankar, a realtor who has lived in the British territory for 27 years and is a Turks and Caicos citizen, married Tim Haymon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2020.

Haymon, who is American, in August 2021 applied for a spousal exemption under the Turks and Caicos immigration law on the basis of his status as a spouse that would have allowed him to legally live and work in the territory. The Turks and Caicos Director of Immigration denied the application because its definition of marriage used does not include same-sex couples. Haymon and Sankar filed their lawsuit in October 2021.

Stanbrook Prudhoe, a law firm in the Turks and Caicos, represents Haymon and Sankar.

The trial court, which is also known as the Supreme Court, heard the case in November 2022.

The court on March 1 said the work permit exemption refusal violates the Turks and Caicos constitution that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. It has yet to release the ruling itself.

I am suing for the right to recognize our marriage, Haymon told the Washington Blade on March 2 during a Zoom interview from Sydney where he and Sankar were on vacation. Just like any other spouse coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands and marrying a Turks and Caicos islander, were just wanting the same rights.

The Turks and Caicos are a group of islands that are located roughly 650 miles southeast of Miami.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations have been decriminalized in the British territory since 2001. The constitutionstates every unmarried man and woman of marriageable age (as determined by or under any law) has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex and found a family.

Then-Cayman Islands Grand Court Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in 2019ruledsame-sex couples can legally marry in the Cayman Islands. The Caymanian Court of Appeal later overturned the decision, and the British territorys Civil Partnership Law took effect in 2020.

Then-Bermuda Supreme Court Justice Charles-Etta Simmons in 2017 issued a ruling that paved the way for gays and lesbians to legally marry in the British territory. The Domestic Partnership Act a law then-Gov. John Rankin signed that allows same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships as opposed to get married took effect in 2018.

Bermudas top court later found the Domestic Partnership Act unconstitutional. The Privy Council, a British territories appellate court in London, upheld the law. It also ruled same-sex couples do not have the constitutional right to marry in the Cayman Islands.

Haymon and Sankar told the Blade they expect the Privy Council will eventually hear their case.

We are prepared for that, said Sankar. Our attorneys are prepared for that.

Haymon added he hopes their lawsuit will inspire other same-sex couples in the Turks and Caicos to fight for legal recognition of their relationships.

We hope that one of the locals will now take up the flag and say I want to marry my partner, he said.

Same-sex couples can legally marry in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saba, St. Martin, St. Barts, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Bonaire.

The Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in 2022 ruled Aruba and Curaao, which are constituent countries within the Netherlands, must allow same-sex couples to legally marry.

Aruban lawmakers are currently considering a marriage equality bill. The Dutch Supreme Court in the coming months is expected to rule on the Aruba and Curaao case.

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Black transgender woman from Chicago disappears in the Bahamas - Washington Blade

We began our day with a leisurely stroll to Dockside Market, conveniently located just outside Abaco Beach Resort. This charming market offers everything you might need, from a well-stocked liquor store to an impressive selection of meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, and pantry staples.

However, boating adventures come with their mishaps and challenges. While refueling, we discovered an oil leak in the generator. This experience underscored the importance of being prepared for mechanical issues. Fortunately, it was just a short delay. Once resolved, we set off for Great Guana Cay. Upon arrival, we docked at the city docks and took a refreshing dip in the ocean before enjoying lunch on the top deck of Nippers.

Later, we continued our journey south to Scotland Cay, where we marveled at the stunning sandbar cove just off this exclusive island. It was the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of the Bahamas.

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Rejoicing in Bahamas Bliss: Daily Stories from Our Tropical Travels - Southern Boating

Deandre Ayton and The Bahamas fell just short of achieving the first Olympic basketball berth in the countrys history Sunday, losing 86-78 to Spain in the 2024 FIBA Qualifying Finals in Valencia, Spain.

The Portland Trail Blazers center finished with 17 points on 8-14 shooting, 14 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes of action. The performance rounded out a solid showing for Ayton throughout the FIBA Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. In four games, he averaged 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 64.2% from the field.

Sharpshooter Buddy Hield, recently acquired by the Golden State Warriors, led The Bahamas in the final with 19 points while new Philadelphia 76ers signee Eric Gordon added 15 points.

On Spains side, former Blazer Rudy Fernandez, 39, registered nine points, two rebounds and two assists. Guard Lorenzo Brown scored a team-high 18 points, including 4-5 shooting on 3-pointers.

The Bahamas entered the final as underdogs. While the country hung in against Spain, it never recovered from a 25-17 second quarter by Spain that ended up being the difference in the game. A big free-throw advantage for Spain didnt help The Bahamas either. Spain shot 23-25 from the charity stripe, compared with 10-13 for The Bahamas. Spain also won the turnover battle 15-11.

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The Bahamas, Ayton Lose to Spain in 2024 FIBA Qualifying Finals - Blazer's Edge

Redefined Atlantis Casino, The Royal Guestrooms, Paranza, andBar Sol Debut at the Iconic Resort

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas, July 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --Atlantis Paradise Island, the most iconic resort destination in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, has completed a $150 million resort-wide transformation, including updates to the casino, guestrooms, restaurants and lounges. The resort unveiled refashioned guestrooms at The Royal, Atlantis' iconic towers; an entirely redefined Atlantis Casino; and Paranza, a new restaurant at The Cove, where the esteemed Michelin-starred chef Michael White brings his culinary mastery to the table. The updates emulate the ethos of Atlantis and include custom fixtures and design details evocative of the ocean and ecosystems found throughout the Bahamas. Other additions include Bar Sol, Cleito's private gaming, Silan, Perch, the Caribbean's first Shake Shack, FIELDTRIP, Cartier, Thistle, and coming soon, Christian Louboutin and Paradise Links mini-golf course.

"Atlantis continuously elevates the guest experience, and recent developments at The Royal, Paranza and the Atlantis Casino provide guests with upgraded, modern touches while retaining the resort's integral identity that visitors know and love," said Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of Atlantis. "Atlantis' experiential-driven programming allows our guests and visitors to create lifelong memories while visiting the resort and the Bahamas. The new designs throughout Atlantis demonstrate our commitment to providing an unsurpassed vacation experience."

Complete Transformation of The Royal from Top to Bottom

The Royal at Atlantis, a 1,201-room hotel home to the Atlantis Casino, underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, including fully refashioned guestrooms with specially curated bespoke dcor.

The guestroom redesign, led by Atlantis' Senior Vice President of Design and Creative Director Tony Tompkins, transports guests to the serenity of the white sand beaches of the Bahamas, with the Royal rooms' breathtaking Caribbean views as the focal point. The carpets, reminiscent of the calmness and beauty of the ocean, are a perfect match for the tranquil setting. Sculptural pieces inspired by the unique archipelago of the Bahamas hang above the bed and desk, offering visual glimpses of the island within the space. The cool, calming shades of blue and white and the use of neutral beechwood reflect the soothing seas and provide a peaceful retreat for travelers to relax and unwind, creating a truly immersive experience.

The Royal has 120 suites, including 10 Grand Suites, four Presidential Suites, and three Royal Suites, all echoing the redesign of the guest rooms. The suites feature richer, deeper colors to add depth, with bold teals and sage greens providing an elegant touch to the guest experience.

The Redefined Atlantis Casino Introduces a New Look and Bar Sol

The 85-table, 700-game casino, one of Atlantis' landmark features, is home to four instantly recognizable one-of-a-kind glass sculptures by internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The Sun and The Moon glass installations were created specifically for the Atlantis Casino 25 years ago, uniting color, light, form, and space to deliver a uniquely immersive experience. By re-lighting the glass sculptures and minimizing the surrounding structure, the new design interacts harmoniously with light and space, which Chihuly is known for in his work.

The custom carpet features 26 shades, drawing on the jewel tones seen in the casino's recognizable art. Deeply saturated hues and gold accents, combined with shimmering textures and flowing lines, echo the refractions of the sea, adding a sense of place and creating a cohesive, sophisticated look.

The beloved murals throughout the casino have been artfully restored, and nearby light features have been updated to give the spaces a modern yet classic feel incorporating Atlantis' signature design elements. The ceilings, previously covered by canopies, are now open, creating a more spacious and airier atmosphere with a clear view of the entire casino.

The central Moon Bar inside the casino has been upgraded with a circular deck, allowing guests to take a break from the action or step up to overlook the casino floor.

The Atlantis Casino has recently opened Bar Sol, inspired by the late Sol Kerzner's passion for Bahamian artists, music, and entertainment. It offers a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere where guests can enjoy a well-crafted cocktail and dance beneath a raised stage and DJ booth. The centerpiece of Bar Sol is a restored Chihuly chandelier that exudes warm gold hues, creating a unique ambiance complemented by the venue's lineup of nightly live music performances.

The Atlantis Casino is also home to several of the resort's finest dining options, including Nobu and Silan, the new restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya.

Michelin-starred Chef Transports Guests to the Italian Coastline at Paranza

The newest dining option at The Cove, Atlantis, a luxury all-suite hotel, is Paranza by Michelin-starred chef Michael White. Award-winning design studio Jeffrey Beers International designed it in collaboration with Tony Tompkins. The interior design was inspired by the vibrant blue waters and white sand beaches of the Bahamas and the Italian coastline, complementing Chef White's approachable and unfussy take on fine dining.

The culinary journey for guests begins as they arrive and walk along a winding path to discover the warmly lit patio of the restaurant, nestled under a wooden pergola and opening into Paranza's main dining area. The custom space is adorned with hand-blown glass, antique mirrors, and iron arches featuring earthy hues such as oak, smoky blue, and bright cognac.

The bar area showcases a temperature-controlled dual-purpose wine wall that is the focal point of the private dining room's entryway. The private dining room features oversized, seashell-shaped brass light fixtures and custom design elements.

For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island, please visit atlantisbahamas.com.

About Atlantis Paradise Island:Atlantis Paradise Island, a lush, oceanside resort located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, is a dynamic destination and offers visitors bold multimillion-dollar renovations, exciting new partnerships, and reimagined guest experiences. Bahamian culture and the spirit of its beloved team members are the heart and soul of this iconic legendary resort. Atlantis' immersive programming connects guests to the rich history, art, people, food, and festivities of the Bahamas while remaining dedicated to sustainability and environmental conservation.

Home to Aquaventure, one of the world's largest waterparks, the 141-acre waterscape of thrilling slides and river rides features 14 pools and five miles of white sand beaches. Atlantis is also home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, with over 65,000 aquatic animals from 250 species making their home in natural ocean-fed lagoons and habitats, includingDolphin Cay, the unparalleled marine animal conservation and education center created to provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn more about some of nature's most fascinating mammals.

Atlantis has five unique lodging options: the grand, iconic newly renovated towers of The Royal, the family-friendly ambiance at The Coral, water-side villas at Harborside Resort, all-suite luxury accommodations at The Cove and residential-style living at The Reef.

Guests can choose from an impressive collection of over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges with celebrity chef culinary masterpieces, including Fish by Jos Andrs, Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Paranza by Michael White. With its unrivaled meeting and convention space and the well-appointed Atlantis Marina overlooking Marina Village, the Atlantis experiences are endless and unique to each traveler. Additional resort amenities include the tranquil Mandara Spa, a newly opened tennis and pickleball center, indoor and outdoor regulation basketball courts, a 500-seat movie theater, Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA) for children ages 3-12, a gaming arcade, CRUSH- a teen nightclub, Jokers Wild comedy club, an award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, the renowned and newly redesigned Atlantis Casino, and an array of luxury and boutique duty-free shopping.

For more information and reservations, please visitatlantisbahamas.com.

SOURCE Atlantis Paradise Island

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ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND UNVEILS $150 MILLION RESORT-WIDE RENOVATION - PR Newswire

As the mystery of Taylor Casey's disappearance in the Bahamas lingers, recent developments have raised more questions about the integrity of the investigating authorities. Casey, a 41-year-old Chicago woman, vanished around June 19 while attending a yoga retreat. According to CBS News Chicago, a phone believed to be hers was found in waters near where she was last seen, though attempts to unlock it by both Bahamian and American authorities have thus far been unsuccessful.

In what could be a related twist, Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson of the Royal Bahamas Police Force was placed on "garden leave" after his alleged involvement in alarming "voice notes" that circulated on social media, potentially implicating him in unverified misconduct. NBC Chicago reported that the police have acknowledged the situation has affected the public's confidence in law enforcement, with Commissioner Clayton Fernander commenting on the importance of integrity within the force, especially in senior ranks.

The disappearance and the subsequent investigation have been fraught with complications and mystery. Casey's mother Seymore, having traveled to the Bahamas after her daughter went missing, did not observe the urgency she expected from local authorities, and stated her visit lacked any semblance of solace. In a statement obtained by CBS News Chicago, she expressed the devastating experience of leaving the Bahamas without her daughter, highlighting the nightmare scenario for any parent.

This incident comes amidst a broader safety concern for travelers to the Bahamas. A "Level 2" Travel Advisory issued by the U.S. earlier this year warned visitors to "exercise increased caution" due to crime. The advisory, particularly mentioning violence such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, spotlighted areas like New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) as locations where crime was most prevalent. Despite this, tourism officials have insisted on the destination's safety, with the Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe stressing the need to assure visitors of their security, as reported by NBC Chicago.

Families and friends of the missing, like those of Taylor Casey, remain desperate for answers and fervently hope for a resolution. With two high-profile cases open Casey's and that of a local 17-year-old Commissioner Fernander admits to the weight these unsolved cases have on their shoulders, with no indication or sightings reported. For now, the search continues, and the international community watches, hoping for the safe return of those who have vanished.

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Chicago Woman Missing in Bahamas, Investigation Clouded by Police Official's Alleged Misconduct - Hoodline

Anywhere you turn in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, youll find something to love: Anguillas powder-white beaches, Bonaire's unmatched dive sites, Cubas dynamic music scene, the lush, rugged beauty of Dominicas hiking trails. In this corner of the world, theres no wrong choice. These islands may have palm trees and postcard-perfect beach vignettes in common, but each holds its own singular magic and no one knows that better than the readers of Travel + Leisure.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below:

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

gydyt0jas/Getty Images

Even within a single island, each reader seemed enamored by a different element of the experience though common themes emerged. Nature was a big draw across the board, be it the soft sands of Grand Anse Beach in Grenada or the magnificent toothlike pitons of St. Lucia.

In Anguilla (No. 3), fantastic beaches and warm, welcoming locals were a throughline of reader feedback. The beaches on Anguilla have some of the most clear, beautiful water Ive ever seen, wrote one visitor. Its remote, but truly a paradise to relax and read a book. Multiple readers echoed the sentiment that the island is a paradise, with one swooning, white beaches, blue clear water once you visit Anguilla you dont want to go home! One word: amazing.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, St. John (No. 5) stood out for its natural beauty and commitment to land conservation. Since much of the island is USVI National Park, we can feel good about the character of the place staying intact for generations, said a recent visitor. Another called it our favorite place on earth, writing, We love to come here because of all the National Parks. We love to snorkel, and the peace and quiet of this island. We love the friendly people and the fact that so much of the island is a park. Yet another traveler seemed to say what every St. John aficionado was thinking: It was hard to say goodbye to this island.

Three familiar spots re-entered the fray this year after dropping off the list Cuba (No. 2), Bermuda (No. 19), and St. Croix (No. 25) perhaps indicating that T+L readers have found a new appetite for delving deep into history, be it the colonial-era legacies and architecture that have so shaped Bermuda and St. Croix or the midcentury events of the Cuban Revolution which still loom large on the island today.

Read on for more on this years top pick, Dominica, plus the full list of the 25 Best Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

Dominica

Derek Galon/Getty Images

This is the third year in a row the Nature Island has clinched first place in our annual rankings, with readers singing Dominicas praises for its untrammeled expanses of wild land and off-the-beaten-path feel. One reader calls it an incredible nature reserve like no other place left on the planet. Another singles out the stellar opportunities for adventure activities like scuba diving and canyoning, while calling it a very romantic destination perhaps the dream destination for getting your adrenaline pumping and reigniting that spark along the way? But one true aficionado put it most elegantly: What a wonderful secret island to discover. If you want nature and the ability to explore your surroundings as well as explore yourself then Dominica is your getaway! Get here any way you can.

What a wonderful secret island to discover. If you want nature and the ability to explore your surroundings as well as explore yourself then Dominica is your getaway! Get here any way you can.

T+L Reader

1. Dominica

Reader Score: 92.47

2. Cuba

Reader Score: 90.61

3. Anguilla

Reader Score: 90.02

4. St. Lucia

Reader Score: 88.70

5. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Reader Score: 87.68

6. Aruba

Reader Score: 87.13

7. Turks and Caicos

Reader Score: 86.92

8. Harbour Island, Bahamas

Reader Score: 86.73

9. Vieques, Puerto Rico

Reader Score: 86.57

10. St. Barts

Reader Score: 86.44

11. Exumas, Bahamas

Reader Score: 86.30

12. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Reader Score: 85.80

13. Eleuthera, Bahamas

Reader Score: 84.77

14. Nevis

Reader Score: 84.48

15. Grenada

Reader Score: 84.46

16. Bonaire

Reader Score: 84.36

17. Cayman Islands

Reader Score: 84.19

18. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Reader Score: 84.16

19. Bermuda

Reader Score: 84.05

20. Culebra, Puerto Rico

Reader Score: 83.35

21. Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Reader Score: 83.07

22. Jamaica

Reader Score: 82.74

23. St. Maarten/St. Martin

Reader Score: 81.81

24. St. Kitts

Reader Score: 81.51

25. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Reader Score: 81.44

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Our Readers Favorite Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas of 2024 - Travel + Leisure

Sunday capped off an exciting week in Valencia, Spain, where six teams entered the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) but only one advanced to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: host nation Spain narrowly outlasted the Bahamas in an instant classic of a game.

Santi Aldama, Willy Hernangomez, and the host team exchanged blows all game with Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield, DeAndre Ayton and the Bahamas, and the Spaniards ultimately prevailed 86-78.

Ayton gave it his all while trying to get the Bahamas into its first-ever Olympic tournament. The Blazers center capped off a strong FIBA qualifier week with a17-point effort on 8-14 shooting, as well as 14 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. Bahamian sharpshooter Hield, Steph Curry's new teammate on the Warriors, led his squad with 19 points. Recently-signed 76er Gordon added 15 points.

But Spain had too many answers for the Bahamas, and home-court advantage played a part. The visiting squad never recovered from Spain's 25-17 second-quarter run, and Spain shooting 23-of-25 from the free-throw line didn't hurt.

Spain, Puerto Rico, Greece, and Brazil the four winners of this week's OQTs will now join the United States, Canada and the six other teams that had already qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The other OQTs were held in Puerto Rico, Greece, and Latvia.

Nobody much doubted Spain's ability to advance to the Final and win the Olympic bid. They were listed on most sportsbooks as much as 16.5-point favorites to beat Finland in the semis on Saturday and had strong moneyline odds against the Bahamas.

WATCH: Olympic Qualifying Tournaments on Courtside 1891

International hoops fans who missed the game can go back and watch Spain vs. the Bahamas on Courtside 1891, the exclusive streaming platform for FIBA basketball.

Courtside 1891 offers two subscriptions:

Courtside 1891 can be found onDAZN, a global distributor of Courtside 1891. Thanks to the partnership, fans can watch Courtside 1891 as a standalone offering onDAZN.

Fans can also stream Courtside 1891 through the app, which is available in the app store for bothAppleandAndroidusers.

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Spain might not have the experience it used to enjoy, but it still has plenty of firepower from top to bottom. Leading the charge has been Aldama, who entered the weekend averaging 20.5 points per game on over 60 percent shooting.

The host team plays tough and keeps the tempo up, and their length and strength make them very capable of second-chance opportunities. While not as stacked as usual, the Spaniardsshould be a tough out in the 2024 Olympics.

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Who qualified for Paris 2024? Updates, results, highlights from 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Spain - Sporting News

By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net

In safe distance throughout the second half, Spain defeated the Bahamas, 86-78, to win the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia on Sunday.

A 14-point cushion was cut to six points down the stretch but no further.

Follow all the action of the Olympics qualifiers with Courtside 1891 on DAZN

Logging 18 points to go with four rebounds and three assists, Lorenzo Brown was the top scorer for the team coached by Sergio Scariolo. Willy Hernangomez producing nine of his 15 points in the second half, Santi Aldama packing 12 points, and Usman Garuba tallying ten points shaped the remaining double-digit contributions.Extending his career for a few more weeks before calling it a day, Rudy Fernandez chipped in nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

For the team coached by Chris DeMarco, looking to spoil the party inLa Fonteta and clinch the first Olympic berth in national team history, Deandre Ayton stood out with a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double in the Final. Buddy Hield recorded a game-high 19 points.V. J. Edgecombe went for 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Following Greece in also using homecourt advantage to reach the Olympics, Spain completed Group A of the preliminary stage along with the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis. In Lille, the European powerhouses will battle Australia and Canada in a round-robin schedule between July 27 and August 2, hoping to progress to the Quarterfinals and move to Paris.

La Familia will compete in the basketball tournament of the pinnacle event of sports for the 14th time in history, including a seventh berth via an OQT, the most among all countries.

Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL

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Spain resists the Bahamas to return to the Olympic Games - Eurohoops