paris2024

The curtains closed on the Paris 2024 Olympics with a historic outcome for the Bahamas, as the nation concluded the games without a medal for the first time in over three decades.

Despite a series of commendable performances, with hurdler Devynne Charlton shining as the sole finalist from the Bahamas, the medal streak dating back to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, stopped.

The United States led the medal tally with a whopping 126 medals, outpacing China’s 91 and Britain’s 65, with the host nation France securing 64. Notably, China matched the U.S. in the gold medal count, clinching 40. The U.S. also bagged 42 silver and 44 bronze medals.

Regarding individual achievements, China’s Zhang Yufei and France’s Leon Marchand stood out, with Zhang collecting six medals and Marchand securing five, including four golds.

Charlton, the Bahamas’ beacon of hope, finished sixth in the women’s 100m hurdles, while other Bahamian athletes faced withdrawals or semifinal exits.

Despite her disappointment, Charlton expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support from the Bahamas.

In a surprising turn, Bahamian Olympian Steven Gardiner, along with Shaunae Miller-Uibo, faced setbacks, with Gardiner bowing out due to ankle issues and Miller-Uibo finished last place in her repechage heat, due to injury.

The Bahamian spirit, however, remains undeterred, looking ahead to future triumphs at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“The work for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles starts now, and we believe that with continued perseverance and support, many more Bahamians will have the opportunity to represent our nation on the world stage,” the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said.

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.