By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Like her progression from CARIFTA champion to the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s Council ship, ‘Golden Girl’ Pauline Davis-Thompson has been more than impressed with the Bahamas’ progression from hosting the top regional junior track and field meet to the biggest introductory relay on the planet.

Priding herself on helping to bring the IAAF’s inaugural World Relays to the Bahamas this weekend, Davis-Thompson said the Local Organising Committee, headed by Lionel Haven, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, led by Minister Dr Daniel Johnson and the National Sports Authority team, including Leroy Archer and Jeff Beckles, should be commended on the splendid job they have done in getting the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium ready.

“This is the first time in history that the IAAF is doing something like this. It takes a lot of manpower, a lot of hours and a lot of time and these people are working around here extremely hard to make sure that the Bahamas’ name is in the spotlight at the end of the day,” Davis-Thompson said.

“I commend them for what they are doing. When I think about from whence we came, I am so proud to be a Bahamian. I am proud of the Bahamians who have been working on any and every aspect of this event. It’s a very, very stressful undertaking and they are working many, many hours and it’s not easy.”

Reminiscent of the days when she competed, Davis-Thompson said she can now appreciate how Bahamians felt when the Bahamian athletes were on display at the various meets held in the past in the Bahamas like the CARIFTA Games and the Central American and Caribbean Championships.

“The biggest team behind us in the Bahamian team, those people who are here every day working and those who we expect to be in the stadium cheering for Team Bahamas this weekend,” Davis-Thompson said. “When I come here every day, I come to cheer up the workers and that is why I have been encouraging the Bahamian people to come out and cheer on the athletes when they compete.

“Every day I come here I say ‘Go Team Bahamas’ because the LOC is our unsung heroes. I’m very proud of them and I’m very proud of my country.”

With just a day left before the door opens for the start of competition on Saturday, Davis-Thompson said she’s trying to hold back her tears for how proud she is of the accomplishment of the Bahamas as they prepare to welcome the world to our shores.

“My heart is so full and heavy with joy,” she said. “I remember when I was running back at St Augustine’s College field to the Thomas A Robinson Stadium and now to this edifice that the Chinese gifted to us. We can’t get any better than this. This is just spectacular.”

Many would probably remember Davis-Thompson’s fantastic come-from-behind victory on the anchor leg of the women’s 4 x 400m relay that sealed the last title for the Bahamas by just one medal over Jamaica at the 1984 CARIFTA Games at the TAR Stadium.

It’s that pride that Davis-Thompson is hoping will be rekindled this weekend as Team Bahamas members display their skills in just relays before the home crowd.

“When our athletes put on the Bahamian uniform, they have to know that they must represent,” said Davis-Thompson, who did that throughout her career, whether locally, collegiately at the University of Alabama or on the professional circuit. “They will be running at home for the first time at this type of competition.

“This is the first time that we are having something like this in this magnificent stadium, so there’s no doubt in my mind that our athletes will rise to the occasion. We have some very talented athletes and they will step up to the plate and will represent this country well. We don’t have to beg them to come and represent this country. They are doing to do whatever it takes to continue to keep the Bahamas flag flying high.”

While there are some athletes who will not be competing for Team Bahamas because of injuries, Davis-Thompson said the Bahamian people should not get discouraged, but rather rally around and show their support for those athletes who are competing.

“These are not slunkers that we have on this team. They are going to go out there and they are going to represent us well. I believe in our athletes,” she stated. “We may have one or two who may not be as patriotic, but for the most part, they know what it means to compete for the Bahamas.

“They are standing on great shoulders. They know that the rest of us expect the best from them and I have no doubt in my mind that they will represent the Bahamas like they have never represented us before.”

Davis-Thompson, who turns 48 on July 9, is a fine example of what true representation is all about.  She is now one of the six women who serves as a council member on the IAAF Council, which consists of 27 elected members, including the president, four vice presidents, a treasurer and one representative from the Area groups (6). She was elected in 2007 after serving on the IAAF Women’s Committee from 2003-2007. Her elevation came after she concluded one of the glaring careers by any Bahamian athlete.

From placing second in the 100 metres and winning the 200m in the 1983 CARIFTA Games, Davis-Thompson has gone on to claim the 1989 NCAA 400m title; 3rd in 100m and 200m at the 1990 Commonwealth Games; 2nd in the 200m at the 1995 World Indoor Championships in Barcelona; 2nd in the 400m at the 1995 World Championships in Göteborg; 2nd in the 4x100m at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta; 3rd in the 4 x 100m at the 1999 World Indoor Championships in Maebashi; 1st in the 4 x 100m at the 1999 World Championships in Seville and 1st in the 4 x 100m and 200m at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Over the last few months, Davis-Thompson has been on a whirlwind tour throughout the Bahamas drumming up support for the relays. Now that it’s here, she’s hoping that she will get the kind of response from the public to make this a truly grand event on Saturday and Sunday.

“You want to see this in person. You don’t want to miss this,” said Davis-Thompson, in her last minute pitch to the public. “And when you come, come in your Bahamian colours. Our team is going to need your support. They are going to need you to get them through the finish line. Our athletes are going to perform for us, so we have to make sure that they see us with the biggest flags, scream like we have never screamed before and let’s cheer them on.”

In other words, Davis-Thompson said Bahamians have to be reunited like they have never been before.