by Rick Lowe
Watching the Bahamian men's relay sprinters blow past the American team to win gold was an amazing moment. Bahamian's every where are justly proud.
Of course it was also great to watch the Jamaican runners come in for bronze, silver and gold. What a feat.
However, I see no place in their achievements for the political class. Of course the Prime Minister and the Minister of Sports rush into the spotlight to congratulate the "heroes" and fill the air waves and newspapers with so much hyperbole, you'd think they ran the races and not the athletes.
Then along comes Sir Roland Saunders to suggest "A single Caribbean sports academy to ensure future world champions" for the region headquartered in Jamaica of course.
There are many Bahamian, and regional athletes that benefit from coaches and trainers etc at the American University or college they attend it would be pointless for The Bahamas government to spend taxpayer money on such a pursuit.
Our athletes spend much of their own time, energy and talent to succeed and The Bahamas capitalises at times like this as they represent the country, but let's face it, we deserve no more of the credit and costs that we already enjoy.
Congratulations again to all the athletes representing The Bahamas and all the other countries that were at the London Games.
By the way, if Sir Roland would like to pursue his idea, and can raise the money privately without using the coercive power of the state to extract tax dollars to accomplish his ends, he's free to do so of course.
