goldmedalist

Olympic gold medalist Ramon Miller vented his frustration as he tries to implement the necessary infrastructures to live comfortably in a house he constructed on property gifted by the government for his sports achievement.

Miller said he is between a rock and hard place.

Though he has moved into the house with his family, living there has been difficult as they function without light and water.

“…it has been roadblock after roadblock, and I have tried every avenue.”

Miller said he started to build months after being granted the property but ran into challenges when he tried to implement the water and light.

“I got all of my permits. I went through the proper channels. I got all of the documents. I got the permit number. I got the foundation approved, my roof approved, plumbing approved.”

Miller lives almost 200 feet away from houses equipped with water and light and at no time did he feel that he could not acquire the necessary infrastructures.

“No one said anything of that sort. I got the permit and started the building process. I built the foundation, and nobody ever came to me and said ‘I don’t think that is a good idea to build back there because it may be hard or difficult.’ But I am thinking why should it be hard or difficult if this is a gift from The Bahamas.”

Miller said he even offered to pay for the lamp posts and purchase them overseas, but he continues to face challenges.

Miller uses a generator for access to light and water and says he spends nearly $250 weekly to maintain the generator.

“If the generator is off, the water doesn’t function well. I have a tank but the water would last about two flushes or three flushes and we wash our hands and sanitize but it won’t last all day unless the generator is on.

Miller said the situation has left him feeling hurt and dejected and is hoping that he is offered a resolution soon.

The big story

Miller won a gold medal in the 4×400 relay race at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He ran the anchor leg in the finals to bring a gold medal to the Bahamas, beating the USA.

He was awarded the property in 2014 as his gift for his achievements and built the house in 2015 and ever since, he experienced infrastructural issues.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo pulled away from the pack and blew away the field, winning the gold in the 400m finals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Miller-Uibo won her race in 48.36 seconds to defend her Olympic 400m crown on Friday.

This win comes one day after Stephen Gardiner won gold in the men’s race.

The 27-year-old surged to the finish line beating Maileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic who took silver, and Allyson Felix of the United States claiming bronze.

Miller-Uibo jogged to eighth place in the 200m finals a few days ago, after experiencing discomfort in her hamstring.

However, today Miller-Uibo is the gold medalist in the 400m.

Featured Picture: Gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas on the podium.

Reuters / Hannah Mckay

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis congratulated Steven Gardiner on his win in the 400-meter finals at the Olympic Games.

Gardiner pulled away from the pack at the games in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, bringing a gold metal across the finish line.

Gardiner is the first Bahamian to medal at the events.

“…Steven has demonstrated that he is without question the best in the world at the 400m.

“His accomplishments are too, making him at a young age, already one of the great athletes in our country’s history.

“The Bahamas is proud of Steven Gardiner. He gave Bahamians across our island chain a moment of joy today during this difficult time due to the pandemic.”

“On behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas I congratulate Steven, his family and coaches for this historic win. I look forward to visiting with him when he returns to The Bahamas,” Minnis said.

Anthony Zambrano of Columbia placed second in the race while Grenada’s Kirani James picked up third place.