DeNez Jones

Bahamian Olympic Champ Not Competing In Beijing

DeNez Jones

July 4, 2008

Tonique Williams-Darling ended Mexican Ana Guevarra's dominance in the women's 400 metre, and is still the reigning Olympic champion in that event. However, The Bahamas will be missing their 'Golden Girl' when the Summer Games open on August 8th in Beijing, China.

Instead, competing for the nation of 700 Islands and Cays in the women's 400 metres will be Christine Amertil, Sasha Rolle and Shekeitha Hanfield. Holding down the 25th spot, Amertil is the only one of the trio currently listed in the world rankings.

Much speculation and rumors had surrounded Williams-Darling's two-year absence from competition. Her last performance was at the Commonwealth Games in early 2006 where she won a silver medal.

It was speculated that Williams-Darling was dodging tests for performance enhancing drugs. Her former coach Steve Riddick is now serving prison time in the United States for his involvement in a drug scandal. What added to suspicions about Williams-Darling was the fact that she and disgraced American sprinter Marion Jones both trained under Riddick. However, The 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist, and 2005 Helsinki World Champion strongly maintains that she has never taken any kind of drugs, and assures that she never will.

There were mixed feelings amongst Bahamian Olympic athletes after they learning that Williams-Darling will not be competing in the Summer Games. The Bahamian Golden Girl didn't even compete in the Olympic trials at home just over week ago.

"Well I would have liked her in the race to use her as a push for me, but to be honest I don't know the last time I competed against Tonique," said compatriot and fellow quarter-miler Rolle. "I got used to running without her, but if she was there it would have been better for not only me but everyone else entered in the race as well." She was spotted though at the Bajan Olympic Trials last week.

There is truth though, to the rumor of Williams-Darling being pregnant at this time. She confirmed this fact through one of the Bahamian print medias this week. She also pointed out that she was nursing a hamstring injury, which gave her problems for the entire 2007 season. After taking all of last year off, Williams-Darling says that her hamstring is no longer an issue. However, she has other pressing issues, like aligning herself with another coach. As a result, she decided to take a back seat this year as well, with every intention of defending her Olympic title in China.

Williams-Darling realizes that she had fallen out of favour with some fans by remaining silent for a year about the issues affecting her career. Nevertheless, Williams-Darling gave assurance that she has found peace with herself and her family, and is ready to win back the hearts of her many fans, particularly Bahamians. "For a long time, I wasn't in a happy place but I'm in a happy place now," she said. "I had some medical issues this year and Dennis (Darling) and I were expecting our first child. That interrupted my training and we needed time together as a family." The 32-year-old quarter-miler assured that she would prepare for one last season on the track. She didn't say whether she plans on officially retiring after 2009 or not, but has vowed to return next year when she will attempt to re-capture her World title at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany.