By Clayton Clarke

NASSAU, Bahamas: (Saturday, August, 27) Bahamas’ new golden girl Shaunae Miller returned home yesterday after her victory in the women’s 400m in the Rio Olympics on August 15. Upon her arrival at the Lynden Pindling International Airport she was greeted by top government and sporting officials and family members, led by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson, President of the Bahamas Olympic Association Wellington Miller and President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Association Rosamunde Carey. Miller met with Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry Christie at his office at the Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield Centre on West Bay Street, Nassau. She then called on Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling before heading over to to the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium for a press conference. Accompanying her all the way were her parents Shaun Sr. and Maybelene and siblings Shauntae, Shaunece and Shaun Jr.

Speaking to the media, Miller acknowledged all who supported her. “I just want to thank you guys so much for all the support and all the prayers. God was listening. I want to thank God so much for you guys. I have my family here who is also supporting.” The 22 year old has now added Olympic gold to her 2010 World Junior and 2011 World Youth titles. She said she gave her best in pursuit of victory. “I went out there and put my all on the line for the Bahamas and came out victorious with the gold medal so I am just to thankful.” Miller won the lone title for Bahamas in Rio. The men’s 4x400m team captured bronze, the country’s second medal.

Miller set a personal best of 49.44 seconds to edge out her main rival American Allyson Felix for the gold in Rio and became the second Bahamian after Tonique Williams-Darling to captured the Olympic women's one lap title. Williams-Darling was victorious at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece.

Miller praised Williams-Darling and 2000 Olympics women’s 4x100m gold medal team member Eldece Clarke-Lewis for mentoring her. “I had two ‘Golden Girls’ who tried to bring me up and mentored me as well, Tonique Williams-Darling and Eldece Clarke-Lewis. They always try to help me follow in their footsteps.”

She also commended her team-mates in Rio. “We had so much fun as a team. We came together. I think we took one of our best teams when you look at all of the athletes’ performances.” The St. Augustine College graduate singled out Pedrya Seymour who was sixth in the 100m hurdles finals after setting a national record (12.64) in the semifinals. “The one who I was most impressed with was Pedrya Seymour. She used to be a 400m hurdler and now she is doing the 100m hurdles and doing extremely well. She and her coach are doing a great job.”

The University of Georgia student said the Bahamas is abundant with potential. “We are full of talent, I continue to stress that so much. Last year I went to the islands and I talked to a few of the kids. That’s truly where all the talent is.”

High jumper Jamal Wilson was the only member of Rio Olympic team who present. The others are either competing in Europe or have returned to their respective schools in the USA.