SPORTS SECTION E
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
Swim Worlds, Page 8
Men’s 4 x 100 relay team aims to qualify for Worlds By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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or those athletes and relay teams in the region yet to qualify for the World Championships in September in Tokyo, Japan, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships will provide that final opportunity. NACAC president Mike Sands said they are anticipating over 400 athletes from more than 30 countries to participate in the championship in Grand Bahama August 16-17. “From a participatory aspect, the Bahamas Government has appointed a LOC (Local Organising Committee) headed by
BLTA CONGRATS TEAM BAHAMAS – PAGE 2
Romell Knowles, who is very actively preparing for the event,” Sands said. “But from a technical and operational standpoint, we are very pleased that about 35 of our member associations have expressed an interest to participate. We have about 400 entries as of today.” The registration deadline for athletes to register to compete is August 4 when NACAC will know exactly who is competing and in which events. Based on the numbers, Sands said a determination will be made on the Games Village for the athletes. But he said there are several properties that have been identified in Freeport, which are all about a 10-15 minute ride to the Grand Bahama Sports Complex where the championships will take place. The big concern for NACAC is the qualification process for the World Championships, scheduled for September 13-21. Sands said the championships is the area championships for NACAC and, as such, athletes will be awarded points towards their international ranking. “So you will see athletes coming to the championships to solidify their ranking positions,” Sands said. “Equally exciting is that several of our member countries have not yet qualified teams for the relays. “So we are expecting to see some real exciting matchups in the relays. The entries for the World Championships closes on August 24. So there’s only two spots available worldwide so by August 24, the
GO TEAM BAHAMAS: The men’s 4 x 100 metre relay team of Antoine Andrews, Ian Kerr, Terrence Jones and Wanya McCoy which competed in the NACAC’s 2024 New Life Championships in Grand Bahama. teams in the top 16 spots would qualify for the World Championships.” There are a number of countries who have indicated their desires to field relay teams in the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metre relays as well as the mixed gender 4 x 400m relays. In trying to stay impartial as a Bahamian, Sands
said he hopes that all of their member associations, including The Bahamas, who have the ability to field the teams, will do so in a bid to qualify for the World Championships and to be called area champions. The NACAC Championships comes on the heels of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National
Olympic sprinter Wanya McCoy ready to hit the track at BAAA Nationals By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN Olympic sprinter Wanya McCoy has been inactive for the past five months nursing a left quadriceps injury that sidelined him for both the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Indoor and Outdoor Championships. But the 22-year-old University of Florida Gators’ senior said he’s eager to get back on the track when he returns home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Open Track and Field Championships from August 1-3 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. McCoy, who represented The Bahamas in both the 100 and 200 metres at the 2024 Olympics in Paris France, said his ultimate goal this year is to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan from September 13-21. “I had two holes in my legs and couldn’t walk,” said McCoy in assessing the injury he sustained. “I was on crutches and and had to learn to walk again.
“To be honest, it was devastating and at one point, I wanted to quit track, but I couldn’t do it.” McCoy, who had transferred from Clemson University to Florida, said he had to go back in to the “lab” to refine his body, mind and soul. “I did everything you needed to do to come back,” he recalled. “I had to learn how to run and to walk again after having a major injury and this was my first major injury. “But mentally, I just wanted to stay in the house all day and play games, but my friends and teammates encouraged me to get out and come back around the track. I started treatment, started going to classes again and I started running again.” That was in April after he bounced back from the injury in February. But in coming back a little bit too early, he reinjured the quad. For the next month or so he was back in rehab just trying to strengthen his body without doing any workout sessions because when he tried to just jog, he was in pain.
Open Championships, scheduled for August 1-3 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The BAAA is expected to announce its team going to Grand Bahama for the NACAC Championships following the completion of the nationals. Last year, NACAC hosted a successful New Life Championships at
the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. It drew a large amount of athletes who were gearing up for the Olympic Games that was held in Paris, France. Sands anticipates that the NACAC Championships will be even bigger and more successful with the World Championships on the horizon.
IS THE FAST FOOD KILLING YOUR GAINS? By Dr Kent L Bazard LET’S not pretend it doesn’t happen. You walk out the gym feeling pumped, tired and maybe even a little proud of yourself. But then hunger hits and on the way home, that $5.99 combo from your favourite drive-thru starts whispering your name. Before you know it, your post-leg day victory meal turns into a box of fried wings, fries, soda and a side of guilt.
We’ve all been there. But the question is: Is fast food killing your fitness progress? The short answer? If it becomes BAZARD a habit - absolutely. The Cost of Convenience Fast food isn’t just convenient - it’s designed to be
FOOD - See Page E4
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
WANYA McCoy enjoying his new ride. It wasn’t until around the NCAA Outdoor Nationals in June when McCoy was given the green light to resume competitive training for the BAAA Nationals next weekend. “I finally feel like I am back 100 per cent,” said
McCoy, who will return home from Florida on Tuesday. “I feel like how I felt before I got hurt. I had some runs in practice today which showed me that I am really back in
SPRINTER - See Page E3
WINSTON MARSHALL PLANS have been revealed for the memorial and funeral service for the late Winston Marshall. A wake is scheduled for 7pm today at #32 Thompson & Trinity Lane, Stapledon Gardens. The funeral service will be held 10am on Saturday, July 26 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley and Church Streets.
July
BOXING FUNDRAISER THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue
JULY - See Page E2