olympics

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.

Nearly 10,500 athletes from around the world arrived in Paris in top fashion for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which opened with a spectacular show. Unlike before, they sailed in a flotilla of boats on the Seine River as flagbearers from competing nations queued at the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a rendition of the Olympic anthem, the raising of the Olympic flag, and the lighting of the cauldron.

President of the Paris 2024 committee Tony Estanguet, praised the athletes for their dedication. “Dear athletes, we can’t wait to live it all with you,” Estanguet said. “The joy, the tears, and the love that you will put in each moment. Thank you so much for being here. You made it. Bravo. I know what it means. I know what it took. I know the paths you have followed to be here.”

Céline Dion performed “Hymne A L’Amour,” a famous song by the legendary French singer Édith Piaf.

Day One

Gold Medalists, Jack Alexy, Chris Guiliano, Hunter Armstrong and Caeleb Dressel of Team USA pose with their medals during the medal ceremony after the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on July 27, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske and Simone Manuel of Team United States celebrate after winning silver in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on July 27, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Switzerland’s Pauline Brunner (L) competes against US’ Hadley Husisian in the women’s epee individual round of 32 bout during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia’s Joshua Katz and Italy’s Andrea Carlino (Blue) compete in the judo men’s -60kg round of 32 round bout of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, in Paris on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

Day Two

American Haley Batten celebrates as she crosses the finish line at the women’s cross-country cycling race of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Colline d’Elancourt climb near Paris, France on Sunday 28 July 2024. The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad are taking place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August. The Belgian delegation counts 165 athletes competing in 21 sports. (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

US’ Simone Biles competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

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.