All Systems go for Bahamas Team at Pan Am Games

By SIMON LEWIS, Bahamas Information Services

Guadalajara, Mexico – All system are go for the Bahamas team scheduled to compete in the XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

After meeting with the Organising Committee for more than four hours Friday,  Don Cornish, Chef de Mission for the Bahamas contingent confirmed that The Bahamas will have a 22 member athletic squad, and some 15 officials travelling with the team.

The Bahamas will be competing in Track and Field, Swimming, Boxing, Tennis and Bowling.

While Mr. Cornish spent most of Friday having the team fully registered, on Saturday he inspected the rooms and other facilities, ensuring that everything is in place for the athletes, coaches, and medical personnel.

The Government of Jalisco, Mexico spent millions of dollars ensuring that new housing facilities were constructed for the athletes as well as a new stadium for the Games.

“I visited the site in April for the preliminary meetings and I must say they did a great job getting things ready, and they are well organised,” Mr. Cornish stated.

The Bahamas squad will reside on the 18th floor of Building #1 at the Games Village. All facilities and rooms at the Village are newly constructed and built specifically for the Games, Mr. Cornish noted.

“I believe the athletes and coaches will be pleased with their accommodations and food being provided, as well as the overall sports complex,” he said.

As Chef de Mission, Mr. Cornish is being provided with a local staff and a car, a private room for meetings and entertaining, among other perks.

He noted that while The Bahamas’ contingent is smaller than usual they are a talented bunch of athletes.

“We have been well received and recognised! I get the impression that they are eager to see our team perform. It’s a good feeling. Being a small a nation as we are, when it comes to athletic competition we are recognised among the top countries in the world.  You walk around the Games Village and you hear “Hey Bahamas,” he stated.

In addition to inspecting the Track and Field Stadium, Tennis and Swim Centres on Saturday, he was able to secure room assignments for all athletes and coaches.

“I want the athletes and coaches to come here and have no headaches. I want them to come, relax and prepare themselves mentally and physically for the competition. That is why I am here early in the Games, to make sure everything is in place,” he stated.

The Pam Am Games officially gets underway on October 14th with a lavish opening ceremony and concludes October 30th with the closing ceremony.

Listed below is the full contingent representing The Bahamas. 

BAHAMAS Team Pan Am 2011

Athletics

Athletes                                         Officials                                               
 
Adrian A. Griffith                    Kem Stuart - Team Manager
100m/4x100 Relay                Peter Pratt - Coach  
                                           Rupert Gardiner - Coach    
Jamial S. Rolle                      Ronald Cartwright-Coach
100m/ 4x1 100m                         
 
Christopher D. Brown
400m/4x100 Relay                 
 
Katrina Seymour
400m Hurdles
 
Ramon Miller
400m/4x400 Relay
 
Michael W. Mathieu
200m/4x1 Relay/4x4 Relay
 
Oneil Williams
5000m
 
Donald A. Thomas
High Jump
 
Laverne Eve
Javelin Throw
 
Petra McDonald
100m Hurdles
 
Wesley Neymour
4x4 Relay
 
Rudon Bastian
Long Jump
 
Rodney A. Green II
4x1 Relay
 
Aquatics
 
Athletes                                       Officials
Alana K. Dillette                            Lionel Moreau
100m Back/100m Butterfly/            Coach
200m Indv Med/4x1 Free/
4x2 Free/4x1 Medley
 
McKayla M. Lightbourne
200m Back/100m Breast/200m Breast/200m Indv Med/ 4x1 Free/4x2 Free/ 4x1 Med
 
Alicia Lightbourne
100m Breast/ 4x1 Free/4x2 Free/ 4x1 Med
 
Ariel Weech
50m Free/100m Free/4x1 Free/ 4x1 Med
 
Elvis V. Burrows
50m Free
 
 
Boxing
Athletes                                         Official
Valentino S. Knowles                   Andre Seymour
 
Tennis
Athletes                                        Official
Marvin S. Rolle                            Sean Cartwright
 
Bowling
Athletes                                       Official
Justina Stirrup                            Monique Leary
Joanne Woodside
 
Officials

Chef de Mission
Don G. Cornish
 
Administrative Staff 
Diane Miller
Kathryn Dillette
 
Medical Staff
Dr. Rickey Davis
Dr. Phillip Claussen
 
Press Attache
Simon Lewis