Reigning 400m Olympic champion Steven Gardiner and World Indoor 60m hurdles champion Devynne Charlton will be flag bearers for The Bahamas at the much-anticipated Paris Olympic Games opening ceremonies on Friday.

Gardiner and Charlton are among the 20 athletes that will represent The Bahamas at the global multi-sport showpiece, which is currently under way and is scheduled to end on August 11.

Track and field and swimming are the two disciplines that the Bahamian contingent will contest at the Games.

Quartermiler Shaunae Miller-Uibo, high jumper Donald Thomas, who is making his fifth Olympic appearance, NCAA and national record holder in the javelin Rhema Otabor, decathlete Ken Mullings, and Charisma Taylor, who contests the triple jump and the 100m hurdles, are also on the team.

Rhaniska Gibbs and Lamar Taylor will represent the Bahamas in the pool.

Meanwhile, quartermiler Lacarthea Cooper finished third in the women’s 400m at the BAAA’s Nationals in 53.38 seconds behind second place finisher Quincy Penn in 53.35 seconds, but did not make the team.

However, Shania Adderley finished fifth in 54.50 seconds and was named to the Olympic team for her contributions as a member of the 4x400m mixed relay team at the World Relays.

World Indoor 60m champion and record holder Devynne Charlton officially booked her spot at this summer’s Paris Olympics by claiming her sixth Bahamian 100m hurdles title on day two at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Senior National Championships at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau on Thursday.

The highlight of day two was the women’s 100 meters hurdles final where Charlton was expected to be challenged by the versatile Charisma Taylor and 30-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II All-American Denisha Cartwright.

In the end, Charlton comfortably took the win in 12.62 seconds while Taylor was a distant second in 12.94 seconds. Cartwright rounded out the top three with 13.01 seconds.

All three are headed to the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

Texas Tech sophomore and former World U-20 Champion Antoine Andrews took the men’s 110m hurdles crown with a new personal best 13.34, eclipsing the previous national record 13.35 he shared with Jahmaal Wilson.

Rasheem Brown of the Cayman Islands was second in 13.50 while Otto Laing finished third in 14.03 seconds.

Due to a scheduling conflict, former world and current Olympic Champion Steven Gardiner missed the men’s 400m final last night. It was up to Wendell Miller and Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell to carry the mantle.

However, they would fall short of the qualifying standard for the Olympics of 45 seconds flat.

Miller won the national title in 45.65 seconds. Russell finished second in 46.06 seconds and Gregory Seymour was third in 47.54 seconds.

The women’s 400m final, featuring former world and current Olympic Champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the lady who beat her in the heats Javonya Valcourt, will be ran on Friday.

Over to the field events, Shyrone Kemp pulled off an upset in the men’s long jump, winning that event with a leap of 7.66m. LaQuan Nairn, an 8m-plus jumper, had to settle for second with a jump of 7.58m while Jalen Cadet finished third with a jump of 7.16m.

Nairn has a personal best leap of 8.22m and the qualifying distance for the Olympics is 8.27m.

Anthaya Charlton won the women’s long jump event with a leap of 5.99m. Apryl Adderley was a distant second with a leap of 5.16m. The qualifying distance for the Olympics is 6.86m.

Caribbean athletes showcased their prowess at the New York Grand Prix on Sunday, delivering a series of standout performances. However, the event was marred by a potentially devastating setback for double-double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who sustained an injury just weeks before the Jamaican national championships.

Kirani James, Devynne Charlton, Rasheed Broadbell, and Carey Johnson emerged as the stars of the day, demonstrating their elite capabilities on the international stage.

Thompson-Herah, who has been eyeing a historic third consecutive 100m and 200m Olympic double in Paris this summer, saw her season cast into doubt. Competing in the 100m dash, she appeared to start well but ultimately finished last in 11.48 seconds, visibly limping and requiring assistance off the track afterward.

“I felt something uncomfortable as I began to push. I still tried to go but it got worse so I am awaiting professional advice moving forward. Thanks for your continued support,” Thompson-Herah posted on Instagram.

The race was won by Favour Ofili, who clocked a season’s best of 11.18. The USA’s Morolake Akunison and Aleia Hobbs finished second and third in 11.20 and 11.21, respectively.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Devynne Charlton showcased her dominance by clinching victory in a tightly contested race. Battling a headwind of -1.9m/s, the world indoor 60m champion edged ahead to win in 12.56 seconds. Alaysha Johnson was a close second in 12.58, while 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in 12.66.

The men's 110m hurdles saw another thrilling race, with Rasheed Broadbell narrowly missing out on victory. In a repeat of their Racer’s Grand Prix encounter, the USA’s Trey Cunningham held off Broadbell, winning in 13.21 seconds to Broadbell’s 13.28. Michael Dickson of the USA took third in 13.45, with Jamaica’s Tyler Mason finishing fourth in 13.52.

The men’s 400m was a highlight of the meet, delivering a nail-biting finish. As the runners entered the home stretch, Kirani James surged ahead to clinch victory in 44.55 seconds. Chris Bailey secured second place in 44.73, narrowly edging out South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, who finished third in 44.74. Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards also impressed, finishing fourth with a season’s best of 44.82.

However, the performance of the meet came from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who delivered a spectacular performance in the women’s 400m, clocking 48.75 seconds despite running into a headwind. Her time was the second fastest ever by an American woman and eclipsed the previous world lead of 48.89 set by Jamaica’s Nikisha Pryce just a day earlier. Talitha Diggs finished a distant second in 50.91, with Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams close behind in 50.94 for third.

In the 200m events, Gabby Thomas won the women’s race in 20.42, while Noah Lyles dominated the men’s event, finishing in 19.77.

Despite the mixed fortunes, the performances of Caribbean athletes like Kirani James, Devynne Charlton, and Rasheed Broadbell highlighted their readiness for the upcoming championships and underscored their potential for the Paris Olympics. However, the injury to Elaine Thompson-Herah cast a shadow over the day, leaving fans and fellow athletes hoping for her swift recovery and return to the track.

The anticipation for the 2024 Racers Grand Prix is reaching new heights as a stellar lineup of women athletes prepares to grace the track on Saturday, June 1, at the National Stadium. 

Since its inception in 2016, the Racers Grand Prix has become a cornerstone of the local track and field calendar, achieving World Athletics Continental Tour Silver status and attracting top-tier talent from around the globe. 

In the highly anticipated Women's 100m event, all eyes will be on the dynamic showdown between Julien Alfred and Alana Reid. Alfred, known for her explosive speed and technical prowess, is set to challenge the competition with her relentless drive for victory. Meanwhile, Reid brings a wealth of experience and determination, making her a formidable contender on the track. Reid is the Jamaican junior record holder for the women's 100m. 

Sports analyst and lead commentator of the Racers Grand Prix, Ricardo Chambers, when asked about predictions for the women's 100m said,

“This should be an interesting race. Julien Alfred hasn't competed since she finished 4th in 11.15 (+3.5) at the Texas Invitational on April 27. One of the women who beat her that day is the USA's Celera Barnes who is in this field. Alana Reid has been competing a lot. She's already run 8 100-metre races this year but has dipped under 11.20 only once. This is the time of year you expect especially the US and Jamaican athletes to start tapering for their trials, so I expect to see a much truer reflection of the form these athletes are in. Given how things have gone this season, there's no clear favourite and so the intrigue sets up a real fine race.” 

Shifting the focus to the Women's 100m Hurdles, fans can expect an exhilarating clash between Megan Tapper, Ackera Nugent, and Devynne Charlton. Tapper's agility and precision over the hurdles have earned her accolades on the international stage, while Nugent's emerging talent and raw speed make her a rising star to watch. Charlton, with her seasoned experience and strategic approach, adds depth to the competitive field, setting the stage for an unforgettable race. 

Commenting on the lineup of women athletes, Devon Blake, CEO of Racers Grand Prix, stated, "The women's events at this year's Racers Grand Prix exemplify the strength, talent, and dedication of female athletes in track and field. We are proud to showcase their exceptional skills and fierce competitiveness, contributing to the event's status as a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet." 

The Women's events at the Racers Grand Prix promise to deliver thrilling moments of athleticism, determination, and sportsmanship, highlighting the diversity and excellence of women's track and field. The action-packed matchups hit the track on June 1 as these remarkable athletes take center stage and inspire fans worldwide. 

The success of the Racers Grand Prix is made possible by the generous support of its esteemed sponsors. Leading the pack is Adidas, a longstanding partner whose commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with the event's ethos. The Sports Development Foundation's continuous partnership has been instrumental in elevating the meet to new heights year after year. KFC, Gatorade, JN Bank, Digicel, and Airport Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) bring their unique expertise and resources to enhance the spectator experience and showcase Jamaica's vibrant sporting culture on a global stage.

Devynne Charlton has donated her Bahamian team singlet and name bib from the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).

The 28-year-old Charlton lowered her own world-record, which she set when she ran 7.67 in New York in New York on February 11, when she ran 7.65 to win her first global title in the Scottish capital.

She finished clear of France’s defending champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela. Charlton took silver behind the French athlete in Belgrade two years before.

Charlton handed over her Glasgow top to World Athletics President Sebastian Coe at the official press conference staged infield at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

"Charlton’s near faultless final in Glasgow was one of two world records during a standout evening session," said Coe.

"On behalf of the Museum of World Athletics, I gratefully thank Charlton for her generous donation, which perfectly embodies her exceptional indoor season.

"In an Olympic year, it is worth reflecting that Charlton’s singlet joins an artefact of a sprint hurdling legend in the MOWA. Our museum’s collection holds the embroidered ‘Nederland’ badge which Fanny Blankers-Koen wore when winning the Olympic 80m hurdles gold, one of four victories achieved by ‘The Flying Dutchwoman’ at the London 1948 Olympic Games."

Charlton expressed joy and excitement at the donation.

"I am very happy to present my world indoor championship winning singlet and bib to the Museum of World Athletics. I will be excited to see them displayed online in 3D and exhibited around the world. I hope they help inspire future athletes and fans about the excitement of athletics,” she said.

"It is a great honour to have my achievements recognised in the museum alongside those of many all-time greats, whose careers I dream to emulate as I fulfil my track ambitions," she added.

Charlton’s World Athletics Indoor Championships winning kit will also sit with the shoes and clothing of two other world indoor 60m hurdles champions in the Heritage Collection of the MOWA.

Olympic champions Gail Devers of USA and Sally Pearson of Australia, respectively world indoor 60m hurdles champions in Birmingham 2003 and Istanbul 2012, donated their singlets, bib numbers and running spikes to the MOWA from their 2004 (60m gold, 60m hurdles silver) and 2014 (60m hurdles silver) world indoor campaigns.

Dom Rep’s Marileidy Paulino followed up her triumph at the season’s Diamond League opener in Xiamen last week with another victory at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday.

The reigning World champion produced 50.89 to win ahead of American Talitha Diggs who ran 51.77 and Bajan two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams who ran 52.00 in third.

Paulino’s winning streak in the 400m has now stretched to seven races.

It was déjà vu in the women’s 100m hurdles as reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho Quinn just pipped World Indoor 60m hurdles champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton on the line, just as it played out in Xiamen last week.

Camacho-Quinn ran 12.63 compered to Charlton’s 12.64. Two-time World champion Danielle Williams was third in 12.74.

The men’s 110m hurdles saw American Daniel Roberts get his second win in a row to kick off the Diamond League season. His winning time was 13.12, comfortably ahead of Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya (13.23) and Olympic champion Hansle Parchment’s season’s best 13.26.

The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino kicked off her 2024 season with a comfortable win in the women’s 400m at the season’s opening Diamond League meet in Xiamen on Saturday.

Paulino, the reigning World champion, ran an easy 50.08 to take the win over Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek (50.29) and the USA’s Britton Wilson (51.26). Barbadian two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams was fourth in 51.97.

Paulino, who is developing an impressive level of dominance in the event, last lost a 400m race on July 16 last year when she was third at the Silesia Diamond League.

Since then, the 27-year-old has won six races in a row. She was victorious in all three of her individual races at last year’s World Championships in Budapest before winning at both the 2023 Xiamen Diamond League and Prefontaine Classic, which also served as the 2023 Diamond League Final.

The women’s 100m hurdles saw Bahamian newly crowned World Indoor 60m hurdles champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton be narrowly beaten by reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.

Charlton, as is customary with someone strong in the 60m hurdles, got her usual bullet start but was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Camacho-Quinn in the end. The Puerto Rican’s winning time was a meet record 12.45 while Charlton’s time was 12.49 in second.

France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela, who took silver behind Charlton at this year’s World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, ran a personal best and national record 12.55 in third.

Jamaican two-time World champion Danielle Williams was fourth in a season’s best 12.56.

The men’s sprint hurdles saw reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment and Orlando Bennett run 13.33 and 13.58 for sixth and eighth, respectively.

American Daniel Roberts took the win in 13.11 ahead of countryman Cordell Tinch (13.16) and Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya (13.17).

In the meet’s final race, Jamaican World Indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake ran a season’s best 10.20 for third in the men’s 100m. American 2019 World champion Christian Coleman took the win in 10.13 while countryman Fred Kerley, the 2022 World champion, ran 10.17 for second. Jamaica's reigning national champion Rohan Watson ran a season's best 10.27 in fourth.

Celebrated coach and Racers Track Club President Glen Mills says the value of meets such as the Racers Grand Prix cannot be overstated, given the significant role it plays in the development of the country’s young athletes in particular.

Mills’s comments came as he announced the plethora of local and international stars that are expected to set this year’s sixth edition of the Racers Grand Prix alight at the National Stadium on June 1.

Among them is American World champion Noah Lyles, who clocked a superb 19.67s to win the 200m, sharing the spotlight with Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and South African Wayde Van Niekerk last year.

He is set to line up in the men’s 100m on this occasion, alongside rising Jamaican sensation Oblique Seville, World University champion Kadrian Goldson, Great Britain’s World Championships bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, Canadian Aaron Brown and American Kendal Williams, with two more athletes to be confirmed.

According to Mills, who was instrumental in the decorated career of now-retired Usain Bolt, having young athletes compete on home soil against world class superstars not only drives their development, but also influences positive behavioural changes towards training.

Reigning 400m World champion Antonio Watson is one such example, as he broke the 45-second barrier for the first time on his debut outing at the event last year, and he later followed that up by topping a quality field in Budapest, Hungary. 

“A meet of this level is very important in development of our athletes, and I don't think we can underscore its value in their development as a coach. I can tell you, when we have them competing here in Jamaica against the world and the fans come out and really cheer for them, it makes a difference when they return to the training field,” Mills said during the event’s launch at the Jamaica Pegasus on Tuesday.

“They know and feel the support and the energy and electricity. When that happens, we get better performances on the training track, and as you can see, it goes on to the international stage as well. So, thank you for supporting Racers Grand Prix all and I'm hoping to see everyone on June 1,” he added.

Known globally as Jamaica’s foremost track and field meet credited with showcasing many of Jamaica’s most decorated athletes, Racers Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event, promises an exhilarating demonstration of athletic excellence.

There are 13 events –men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, as well as the men’s long jump, triple jump and discus throw –to be contested across two-and-a-half hours of scintillating action starting at 7:00pm.

The women's 100m hurdles is headlined by Bahamas’s World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton, and Great Britain’s Cindy Sember, up against Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper and rising Jamaican sensation Ackera Nugent.

For the men’s 110m hurdles, Jamaica’s Olympic champion Hansle Parchment will lead compatriots Damion Thomas and last year’s champion Tyler Mason, against the American duo of Trey Cunningham and Robert Dunning.

World champion Antonio Watson headlines the field for the men’s 400m, which includes Champion Allison and Nigerian NCAA champion Emmanuel Bamidele. Demish Gaye, Zandrion Barnes and Javon Francis, are the other Jamaicans confirmed.

Meanwhile, World Indoor champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia headlines the women’s 100m field, alongside Jamaica’s Alana Reid, Ashanti Moore and World Indoor silver medallist Mikiah Brisco, with four more ladies to be confirmed.

World Championships finalist Roshawn Clarke headlines the men’s 400m hurdles field, while Ireland’s NCAA Champion Rhasidat Adeleke will square off against Jamaica’s Stacy Ann Williams, Candice McLeod, Charokee Young, and Junelle Bromfield in the women’s 400m.

American Will Abbey Steiner and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards top the list of competitors for the men’s and women’s 200m. In the field, Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert and American Will Claye lead the confirmed athletes for the men’s triple jump, while another Jamaican Carey McLeod, and Laquan Nairn of Bahamas, will line up in the long jump, with three more athletes to be confirmed.

Mills explained that they are currently in discussions with several athletes, but is awaiting confirmation before revealing the names.

“We are still five weeks away and so we are still working with athletes to finalise contracts. I can’t call the names as yet, but we can guarantee a meet of the highest level and the best quality athletes worth watching,” Mills noted.

Tickets for the event goes on sale online on May 1, with grandstand finish line valued at $5,000, regular grandstand $3,000, while bleachers tickets have been dropped to $500.

Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo were the standout names as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) has officially confirmed its 27-member team for the World Athletics Relays set for May 4 and 5 at the refurbished Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The Bahamas is expected to compete in the Men’s and Women’s 4x100m Relays, the Men’s 4x400m Relay and the Mixed 4x400m Relay.

Newly crowned World Indoor 60m champion and record holder Devynne Charlton was named in a Women’s 4x100m Relay pool which also included Camille Rutherford, Printassia Johnson, Jamiah Nabbie, Shayann Demeritte, Nia Richards, Charisma Taylor and Pedrya Seymour.

The Men’s 4x100m Relay pool consists of Samson Colebrooke, Samalie Farrington, Ian Kerr, Carlos Brown, Deedro Clarke, Blake Bartlett, Jeremiah Adderley and Warren Fraser.

The Men’s 4x400m Relay team includes Gardiner, Alonzo Russell, Wendell Miller, Zion Shepard, Deedro Clarke, Zion Miller, Lhevinne Joseph and Shakeem Hall-Smith. Finally,

The Mixed 4x400m Relay team for The Bahamas will consist of Miller-Ubio, Anthonique Strachan, Lacarthea Cooper, Robynn Rolle-Curry, Steven Gardiner, Alonzo Russell, Wendell Miller and Zion Shepherd.

The Bahamas hosted the World Athletics Relays in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Track & Field fans around the world will be treated to an exciting clash in the women’s 100m hurdles at the season’s opening Diamond League meet in Xiamen on Saturday.

Jamaica’s two-time World champion, Danielle Williams, will take on newly crowned World Indoor 60m champion and record holder, Devynne Charlton, as well as 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper.

World record holder Tobi Amusan and reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn are also set to line up on Saturday along with Americans Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell.

The field is completed by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, 2022 World Indoor champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela and China’s Yanni Wu.

Reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment will compete alongside countryman Orlando Bennett in the 110mm hurdles.

Bajan two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams will line up in the 400m alongside Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams.

Bahamian Anthonique Strachan will take on some of the world’s best in the 200m.

Finally, Jamaica’s World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, 2011 World 100m champion Yohan Blake and reigning national 100m champion Rohan Watson will all line up in the 100m against a stacked field including the likes of American world champions Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.

In a jaw-dropping display of explosive power and determination, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas soared to new heights, breaking her own world record to clinch gold in the fiercely competitive 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

The final session on Sunday witnessed an explosive showdown between Charlton and the 2022 champion, Cyrena Samba-Mayela. Fueled by the intense competition, Charlton stormed across the finish line in a remarkable 7.65 seconds, not only securing the gold but also eclipsing her previous world record of 7.67 set at the Millrose Games in February.

Samba-Mayela, the French sensation, pushed herself to the limit with a personal best of 7.73 in the semi-finals but was just shy of Charlton's electrifying pace, forcing her to settle for the silver medal with a time of 7.74 seconds.

Poland's Pia Skrzyszowka added to the drama, running a fast 7.79 seconds to claim the bronze medal in the tightly contested race. Meanwhile, Charlton's teammate Charisma Taylor, despite a strong effort, secured the sixth position with a time of 7.92 seconds.

Devynne Charlton's emphatic victory not only secured her a well-deserved gold but also ensured that the Bahamas would leave the World Indoor Championships with a single gold medal. This achievement puts the Bahamas on par with St Lucia and the Commonwealth of Dominica, where Julien Alfred and Thea LaFond claimed gold in the 60m and triple jump events, respectively.

However, the same cannot be said for Jamaica, which experienced a disappointing outing in the 4x400m relay. Despite having three bronze medals in their tally, the defending champions failed to finish the race as the third-leg runner, Charokee Young, dropped the baton, extinguishing any hopes of adding to their medal count.

In a breathtaking and ground-breaking performance Thea LaFond won gold in the women’s triple jump at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Dominican stunned her rivals and herself when she uncorked a remarkable world-leading 15.01m to win and become the first woman from the Caribbean to achieve that distance indoors and the first from Dominica to win a global gold medal.

LaFond, who achieved a lifetime best of 14.90m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year to finish fifth, uncorked her historic performance on her second attempt in Glasgow stunning the audience and her rivals. She stared at the mark in disbelief before shedding tears of joy in front of her husband and coach Aaron Gadson.

With the gold medal all but secured, LaFond passed on her remaining jumps but watched as Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez provided a scare when she unleashed a jump of 14.90m to claim the silver medal. The Cuban had a big jump on her final attempt but it was deemed a foul, which sent LaFond skipping away joyfully at winning her first-ever global championship.

Spain’s Ana Peleteiro-Compaore' won the bronze medal with her effort of 14.75m

Earlier, world-record holder Devynne Charlton easily advanced to the semi-final round of the 60m hurdles. The Bahamian barely broke a sweat in winning the third of the six heats in 7.93. Her compatriot Charisma Taylor also advanced one of the six fastest losers. Taylor was fourth her heat in 8.05.

Megan Tapper from Jamaica was an automatic qualifier after she was third in her heat in 8.05.

Jamaica ran well to advance to the final of the 4x00m relay. The quartet of Junelle Bromfield, Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young and Leah Anderson ran a season-best 3:27.35 to finish second, an automatic qualifying spot in the second of two heats that was won by Great Britain who ran a national record of 3:26.40.

Gold medal favourites, the Netherlands (3:27.70) and the USA (3:28.04) are also through to the final.

Bahamian sprint hurdler Devynne Charlton dazzled at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Madrid, coming within a hair's breadth of equaling her own world indoor 60m hurdles record. The impressive performances unfolded on Friday as athletes geared up for the impending World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

 Two-time European indoor champion Nadine Visser set the tone with a 7.79-second victory in the first 60m hurdles heat, equaling the meeting record. Charlton seamlessly matched this time in the second heat, visibly easing down toward the end of the race. The Bahamian sprinter then took center stage in the final race of the evening, showcasing her prowess.

 Devynne Charlton's flawless performance saw her gracefully navigate the hurdles, ultimately crossing the line in 7.68 seconds. Although slightly adjusted from an initial 7.67, this remarkable time stands as the equal third-fastest in history and set a new meeting record. Nadine Visser secured second place in 7.78, just 0.01 seconds shy of her personal best, while Pia Skrzysowska claimed third in 7.83.

 Expressing her joy, Charlton said, "I set myself all of these goals. I said I wanted to win the World Indoor Tour and break the world indoor record and I want to be a world indoor champion, so I’m just ticking all of the boxes. There’s just one more to go. If this is any preview to the World Indoors, then I’d say I’m on the right track. I’m having fun."

 In the men's shot put, Jamaican athlete Rajindra Campbell delivered a stunning performance, saving his best for last. While two-time world indoor champion Tom Walsh initially seized the lead with a 21.44m heave, Campbell responded with a 21.75m throw in round three. Walsh counteracted with a meeting record of 21.95m in round four.

 In a dramatic turn of events, Campbell, competing in the city where he set an outdoor Jamaican record last year, unleashed a colossal 22.16m throw in his final attempt. This not only secured his victory but also established a new meeting record and a Jamaican indoor record. Walsh concluded with a season's best of 22.02m, earning just enough points in the World Indoor Tour to clinch the series title, despite falling short of individual victory.

Newly-minted World record holder for the women’s 60 metres hurdles, Devynne Charlton, headlines a six-member team selected by The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) to represent the island at the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Anthonique Strachan, Charisma Taylor, Ken Mullings, LaQuan Nairn and Alonzo Russell, are the others that will fly the Bahamian flag at the event scheduled for March 1-3.

Charlton is overwhelmingly favoured for the gold, given her smashing world record run of 7.67 seconds during the 116th running of the Millrose Games at the Nike Track and Field Center in New York City, last Sunday.

In addition to Charlton’s pursuit of global gold, Strachan will go after a medal in the women’s 60m, Taylor will contest two events – the women’s triple jump and she will join Charlton in the hurdles. Mullings will try his hand in the men’s indoor heptathlon, with Nairn set to soar in the men’s long jump, while Russell will compete in the men’s 400m.

Veteran high jumper Donald Thomas could be added to the team, pending an invitation from World Athletics.

Demarius Cash, who will serve as head coach/manager of a major senior team for the first time, has high expectations.

“Based on what Devynne was able to do on Sunday, a lot of the athletes are excited and ready to go. There is nothing like when one of your colleagues does something special like this and running a world record is as exciting as it comes in track and field,” Cash said.

“What Devynne did, speaks volumes for where we are in track and field as a nation. This is a very exciting time for us, and I believe Bahamians will be pleased by the performances of these athletes at the world indoors. I believe we could bring home some hardware,” he added.

Russell, who was a part of the silver medal winning 4x400m relay team at the 2016 Championships, and Charlton, who won silver in the women’s 60m hurdles in Belgrade, two years ago, are the only World Indoor medallists on the team.

However, Charlton is not the only world leader on the team. Mullings has a world leading mark of 6,340 points in the indoor heptathlon. He scored that national record at the Illini Challenge at the University of Illinois in Champaign, in January.

“This would be the first time that we would have had an athlete going into the World Indoor Championships as the world leader in the multi events. This is great for Ken and it’s going to be a good challenge for him. I believe he will step up to the plate and do well,” said Cash.

The team will no doubt be led by Charlton though. Cash said she appears to be in the right frame of mind, and shape, to win gold this time around.

“She’s a special athlete and I believe there is a lot more in store for her this season. From the management side, I’m ready for the challenge. I’m here to work for the athletes and make sure they are prepared for everything.

“I believe this is going to be a high intensity meet for The Bahamas. I just want to thank the BAAA, and the executive team of the BAAA, for the opportunity to serve as head coach and manager. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Cash ended.

Following her electrifying run that resulted in a new world record at the Millrose Games in New York on Sunday, Bahamian sprint hurdler Devynne Charlton is poised to rewrite the record books again, perhaps as early as next month at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.’

Charlton stunned the sellout crowd at the Millrose Games with a jaw-dropping time of 7.67 seconds that shattered the previous world record of 7.68 seconds set by Sweden's Susanna Kallur back in 2008.

In a post-race interview, Charlton said she wasn’t surprised at the time she ran, indicating that training has been going really well. Rolando ‘Ronnie’ Greene, the Head Track Coach at the University of Kentucky and mastermind behind Charlton's remarkable journey, was also not surprised by the performance revealing that she ran that all-time best while still having the effects of heavy training in her legs.

"It was not a surprise at all. I told her and her training mate, Masai Russell; I said to them, one of you going to break the world record, you have to decide which one is going to do that,” he emphasized, highlighting the rigorous training and unwavering dedication that paved the way for Charlton's historic performance. "Just the things she's been doing in practice; the numbers she's been putting up... I knew the world record was going to fall,” said Greene, who has seen Charlton produce times of 7.88, 7.82, 7.75 and 7.76 heading into New York on Sunday.

“The only thing that we did differently (last week) was I didn't let her pull sled. That's the only thing we did, everything else remain the same. Normally on Mondays we would do some contrast work where we're pulling sleds for four to six times 40 metres with 90 seconds recovery. That's the only thing I took off the plate before this past week before she went to New York. Everything else remained the same, the same amount of volume, the same amount of hurdling.”

He said he made a few tweaks to her technique after her run in Boston the week before she ran on Sunday.

Greene, who has coached Charlton ever since she was standout athlete at Purdue University and who has now given him his first world record, told Sportsmax.TV that she has been racking up scary numbers in training all season.

She's stronger, she's lighter, she's doing things that she's never done. The power to weight ratio in terms of her body weight to what she's cleaning, to what she's squatting is through the ceiling right now. Devynne is five feet, three, 3 1/2 inches. She was 126 lbs last year, she's now 119. She paralleled 325 lbs in a squat and she pulled right at 200 lbs in a clean, so that's almost doubling her body weight. However, you want to put it is much greater, she's never been able to do that before.”

These startling numbers are among the reasons why he feels she will be even faster when she lines up in the 60m hurdles next month.

“We'll do a small taper for Glasgow, I think. People will say, you're not saying this, but I believe she can she can threaten the world record. I think she's got another half a 10th in there or something.”

With the Olympic Games in Paris less than six months away, Greene also believes that this is the year when Charlton should be among the medals, if not at the very top of the podium. She was seventh at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and seventh at the World Championships in Oregon a year later.

In Budapest in 2023, she came closest to a place on the podium when she finished fourth. This time, things are likely to be a lot different. "I truly believe that she is going to be a major factor going forward. She is at that right age of 27/28 when I think athletes hit their peak, their prime, she is at that point,” Greene opined.

“In life, there is a timing that God releases in our lives to accomplish things when we stay the course and I think this is that timing.”

He revealed that when she finished fourth in Budapest last year, in her disappointment, she told him she wished she hadn’t come so close. “She said I wish I was sixth and I said ‘no, baby girl, the devil is alive. You got fourth it just wasn’t your time and when that time arrives, no one can stop it. Nothing or no one can stop it.”

Charlton will race next in Madrid before returning to her training base for a few days of training before they depart for Glasgow.