‘You’ve never been an influential person’: Olympian Steven Gardiner hits back at Pauline Davis after her ‘respect’ comments
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Bahamian Olympian Steven Gardiner hits back at legendary sprinter Pauline Davis after she commented in a viral post that athletes representing the Bahamas at the Paris Olympic Games should always “respect” the Bahamas and show up at the starting line, which seems to be a criticism aimed at Gardiner.
Gardiner, in a social media post said, “Please don’t ever speak on me ever, because you’ve never been an influential person to many of us athletes. You would love to see us suffer, and it shows. You [weren’t] in attendance during my warm-up but you were the first to broadcast your loud and wrong remarks to spread lies and propaganda which is pure evilness. But you’ll be just alright. I’ll pray for you just like others,” he said.
This comes after Gardiner, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, exited the men’s 400m heats at the 2024 Olympic Games in a surprising turn of events, due to ankle discomfort. Initially, reports were that he did not show up at the start line. Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo withdrew from their races when Uibo a favorite in the women’s 400m heats, halted her run, closely following him.
This double withdrawal shifted the nation’s medal aspirations.
“Never should you not show up on the line without explaining beforehand. If you are injured, pass the baton to others. Do not come to the games,” Davis, a famed Golden Girl said in a social media post last week. “Today, I cried for my Bahamaland. I feel the tears of my fellow countrymen and women. My heart aches. It’s not about the medals. It’s about respect and love for our Bahamas.”
Gardiner, just days after his withdrawal added, “At the end of the day, I’m a human just like other[s]. I don’t live for the approval of people. All the wild narratives from others who weren’t even in attendance is bazaar,” he continued.
“Thank you everyone who reached out. Your words of kindness are greatly appreciated. See you guys next season.”
Davis is a veteran Bahamian sprinter who captured individual medals in the 100m, 200m and 400m at the World Championship and the IAAF Games, and was a member of the women’s 4 x 100m relay team. She captured three Olympic medals– two golds and a silver and eventually retired at her peak.
