SPORTS SECTION E
MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016
Bodybuilding
Championships, Page 2
A ‘red carpet’ welcome home for Jonquel Jones By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net HOLMES Rock, Grand Bahama — Jonquel Jones hails from a little settlement that reads on its sign: Welcome to Holmes Rock, the home of Togetherness. It’s an unique community that sits in between Eight Mile Rock and West End and now is popularised by the second Bahamian to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Despite its togetherness, Jones was speechless as the Grand Bahama Power Company, HOYTES, the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Bahamas Basketball Federation came together on Saturday to welcome her home with a “red carpet” treatment at the Grand Bahama International Airport. And although it rained on the parade, the 22-year-old Jones was still escorted on a motorcade to her hometown settlement, ending
JONQUEL JONES and Buddy Hield are surrounded by junkanoo dancers during their welcome home over the weekend. Photo by Vandyke Hepburn/BIS
‘Buddymania’ rocks gym By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE inaugural Buddy Hield Invitational produced one of the best endings event organisers could ask for, a near capacity crowd and a thrilling finish on the court. Adam Johnson scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished five assists to lead Team Alpha to a 94-93 win over Team Elite at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. Along with MVP honours, Johnson - who led his Jordan Prince William Falcons to a BAISS Championship this past season - was awarded the invitational’s ultimate prize, a $10,000 college scholarship. “This really feels great, having the opportunity to show what I can do in front of this crowd,” said Johnson. “It means a lot that I was selected as the MVP, because it means that people are watching and taking note. Even though we went down in the game, we kept believing in each other and we stayed strong.” Johnson beat out a talented field for the MVP honour, most notably Corey Sands of the CC Sweeting Cobras who finished with 12 points and 10 assists. Hield said he was impressed by the effort and skill level of the players throughout the afternoon. “I thought the game was great. Team Elite fought back, but they didn’t fight hard enough. Simple mistakes by some young guys cost them, but today was all about togetherness and playing for the community,” he said. “I just wanted the kids to learn from this and to use this as an experience moving forward. Thanks to all the sponsors that came and backed this and to all the organisers that
IT was like poetry in motion for Shaunae Miller as she pulled away from the field and easily sped to the world’s leading time of 2016 - and a personal best - of 49.55 seconds to win the London Diamond League women’s 400 metres at the London Olympic Stadium on Friday. In the meet that was dubbed the “London Anniversary Games”, marking four years since the Olympic Games was held there, Miller opened the gap on her pursuers even wider as she surged to the finish line, leaving her nearest rival, Stephanie Ann McPherson from Jamaica, a distant second in 50.40. American Natasha Hastings was third in 50.49. “I just give God thanks for giving me the opportunity,” Miller told The Tribune. “Coming out
SEE PAGE 4
BAHAMAS 38TH OVERALL BUT BRINGING HOME ZERO MEDALS FROM IAAF WORLDS UNDER-20 By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE BUDDY Hield Basketball Invitational took place at Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gym on Saturday. Shown (l-r) are Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Daniel Johnson with Buddy Hield and the Slam Dunk champion. Photo by Patrick Hanna/BIS helped make it possible.” The invitational capped a hectic four-day schedule for Hield, who looked most comfortable back in his environment on the basketball court. “Its been crazy. I don’t think I’ve slept yet but I have to give it all back to the people. The people support me so much and I have to give it all back to them,” Hield said. “Being where I come from, sticking to my roots, everyone seeing me all over television, giving it back to them is important and seeing one of their own giving back is a big deal. I’m just trying to inspire kids to be the next Buddy Hield.” Closely contested throughout, the game was tied at the end of the first quarter and team Elite led headed into both the third and fourth quarters.
Trailing by six entering the fourth, team Alpha would go on a run that produced an 18-point swing and they eventually led by as much as 12. Charles Rahming was fouled with three seconds remaining and knocked down two free throws on the opposite end to put team Alpha up 94-93 for the game’s final margin. Azaro Roker of the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves led team Elite with 22 points and 14 rebounds. He also won the High Flyers Slam Dunk Contest while Janeko Russell of the Tabernacle Falcons won the Three-Point shooting contest. Tabernacle teammates Cedric Delancey and Franco Miller finished with 16 and 17 points for Team Alpha respectively.
“Seeing that Buddy was just drafted into the NBA, it was a great opportunity to come out and represent for him. I just wanted to come out and showcase my talents,” Miller said. “Growing up I was always hearing about Buddy so I tried to mimic my game after his a little bit and I feel like I can be the kind of the same player.” Kaleel Solomon of the Sunland Stingers finished with 15 points while Livingston Bromwell of Ridley College in Ontario, Canada finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for Team Elite “I thought it definitely was fun. I came out here, shared the ball and had a blast with these fellas,” said Solomon who is bound for Eastern Florida State College in the Fall.
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Shaunae posts world-leading time in 400m By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
up on the basketball court at the Community Center where she harnessed her skills as a basketball player. “It’s been great. I was expecting a celebration, but I didn’t expect it to be the way it was in the airport,” said Jones, who was greeted by hundreds of cheering family members and friends to the rhythmic sounds of the junkanoo music in the background. “It was like a party, literally it was a party in the airport, so I was definitely ecstatic to see all of that. I was just grateful to see that Grand Bahama and the GB Power really care and to come together to make this thing really happen.” Taking advantage of the break as the WNBA allows its players to get prepared to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate for their respective countries at the 2016 Olympic Games from August 5-21, Jones said this gives her a good chance to put her career in
this time with a world leading and a pb, it’s an amazing feeling. One of my coaches was down here with me and everything went very smooth. We’re trying a few new race models like I said earlier in the season, but we’re still trying to figure out exactly what we are going to do. “But the race felt fine, it felt really well. I felt like I executed really well. But we still played around with it a bit, but we still have more in the tank for Rio.” The 2016 Olympic Games is scheduled for August 5-21 in Brazil. Improving on her previous personal best of 49.67 that she ran in Beijing, China, last year to claim the silver medal behind American Allyson Felix, Miller said she is eager to get back to training for Rio, where her ultimate goal is to go after the gold medal. In order to claim that elusive Olympic medal, the 22-year-old
SHAUNAE MILLER, of the Bahamas, celebrates after winning the 400 metres race during the Diamond League anniversary games at The Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, on July 22. (AP)
acknowledges that she will have to at least break Tonique Williams’ national record of 49.07 that she set in Berlin, Germany, on September 12, 2004. She said whatever it takes, she is going to be prepared to do it. It signifies that Miller will definitely be running the 400m in Rio and may not pursue the 200m or go for the double. Nor did she comment on her availability for the women’s 4 x 400m relay after the team of Shaquania Dorsett, Carmeisha Cox, Christine Amertil and Lanece Clarke were awarded the 16th and final spot by the IAAF after upholding the doping ban on Russia. Miller, by the way, once held the fastest time in the world for the 200m with 22.05 she ran in Kingston, Jamaica on June 11, but she has seen that slip down to number four.
THE Bahamas didn’t win any medals at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, over the weekend. But Jenae Ambrose joined new national discus junior and senior record holder Serena Brown in coming close to getting on the podium in the Zawisza Stadium as the Bahamas finished 38th overall in the placing standings with the pair of fourth place finishes. The United States of America topped the list with 213 points after a dominating performance that produced a total of 21 medals, inclusive of 11 gold, six silver and four bronze. Kenya and Ethiopia rounded out the top three in each category for second and third respectively. Ambrose, the last of the Bahamian 14-member team to compete on Saturday, came in fourth in the 200m in 25.53 seconds as Edidiong Ofonime Odiong from Bahrain ran a national record of 22.84 for the gold. Evelyn Rivera of Colombia got the silver in a personal best of 23.21 and Estelle Raffai of France was the bronze medalist in 23.48. On Thursday, Brown inked her name in the Bahamian record books for the second time. This time, it was in the final of the women’s discus when she threw 52.73 metres on her first attempt to erase Lavern Eve’s national record. In the qualifying round on Tuesday, Brown eclipsed Chafree Bain’s junior national by turning in the eighth best mark of 50.94m to get into the final. No other Bahamian advanced to the final in their respective event. On Friday, Sasha Wells came in fourth in her heat of the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.12 for 34th place overall. Charisma Taylor, nursing an injury she sustained in training in Poland, got seventh in her heat in 14.94 for 42nd overall.
PAGE 2, Monday, July 25, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Female bodybuilders (men at bottom) compete in the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s annual Northern Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships at Regency Theatre on Saturday night. Photos by Vandyke Hepburn/BIS
Winners emerge at Northern Bahamas Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Joey Rolle, Lakeisha Miller, Carina Ferguson, Lorraine LaFleur and Endierich Rahming were the big winners of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation's annual Northern Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in a packed Regency Theatre on Saturday night. While Rolle carted off the men's bodybuilding title, Miller was named the women's figure champion. Ferguson picked up the women's bikini crown, LaFleur was the women's phyique winner and Rahming carried home the men's physique honour. Rolle, who hails out of the Better Bodies Gym in Nassau, pulled off the victory in the men's heavyweight division and won the pose down to retain his men's overall bodybuilding titles. "My expectations for this show was somewhat mixed," Rolle said. "My whole thing wasn't just to come here and win. I just wanted to prepare and bring my best and leave it all in God's hands and in the decision of the judges." Rolle said he expected the competition to be very stiff because all of the competitors on stage improved tremendously, including Jamiel Hamilton, Vincent Paul, Jimmy Norius and Bernard Davis. "We all improved by leaps and bounds in the space of a year, so everybody was on their game and it showed on stage," Rolle said. "It was just about who was able to nail it and bring it in right at the correct timing for the show and at the end of the day, I was able to come out on top.” Rolle, however, said he's not going to rest on his laurels because he still has the BBFF's National Championships, scheduled for August 26 at the Melia Hotel, where the team will be selected to defend the Bahamas’ title at
LORRAINE LAFLEUR, women’s physique winner, and Danny Sumner.
JOEY ROLLE carted off the men’s bodybuilding title.
LAKEISHA MILLER was crowned women’s figure champion.
the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in the Dominican Republic in September. "For me the battle isn't here with any of the athletes. The battle is the CAC Championships," Rolle said. "I have an opportunity to earn a professional status, so for me that is the major goal. All of these shows are just stepping stones. That's the big dance and the competition is out there, so I will just stay on the ground and continue to work hard and hope that the Lord will continue to wake me up each and every day so that I can continue to do what I enjoy doing." Like Rolle, Miller was a dominant competitor as she took home the women's figure title. "I'm very excited and proud of myself because I work my butt of every show to improve myself," said Miller. "It feels great to regain the Ms Grand Bahama title." Miller also admitted that the
competition was stiff and she congratulated the federation president Joel Stubbs, vice president Kenny Greene and the rest of the executives for putting on a fantastic show. Now she says her goal is to duplicate the feat at the nationals in four weeks as she looks forward to earning another appearance on the CAC team. "I just want to regain my title in Nassau where it counts the most," she said. In the women's bikini division, Carina Ferguson, a native from Grand Bahama training with Team Ricky Outten, also successfully defended her title. "There was so much countless time and effort and so many sacrifices that I had to go through to achieve this goal," she said. "I am very, very happy with my accomplishment." With a number of newcomers coming on stage this year, Ferguson said it made it a different
championship, but she was confident that she would prevail and now she's looking forward to going to Nassau and "doing the same thing" at the nationals. The women's physique, which is replacing the women's bodybuilding segment, was won by Lorraine LaFleur, who hails from Better Bodies. "I felt real good out there. I was just hoping that they made the right decision," said LaFleur about the final decision. "I am trying to go with the more softer look for CAC, so I was very pleased that I got it. I'm just going to come out harder for nationals. I'm going to bring another look for my competitors and the judges because I really want to go to CAC and win my pro card." Endierich Rahming, the reigning national champion out of Club One in Nassau, said it was good to add the Northern Championship's physique crown to his collection. "I put in a lot of work this year
and was able to win the overall again," he said. "I'm appreciative, thankful and to God be the glory for the victory. The guys brought a lot of different packages for this segment, so it was tough. But I just tried to stay balanced up top and bottom and I think was what won it for me." Although he didn't win, the fans got to see the return of a much improved Vincent Paul, who was named the most muscular bodybuilder after taking the light heavyweight division. "It's been four years since I touched the stage," said Paul, who last competed in 2012 at the CAC Championships. "It's different being back out there, but I feel hungry again. It was a tough field with four-time national champion Jimmy Norius, heavyweight Joel Rolle and superheavyweight Bernard Davis, so it wasn't an easy line-up, not for someone who is just coming back after four years. I'm going to use this to get ready for the Nationals." BBFF president Joel Stubbs said their goal was to bring a top notch championship to Grand Bahama and they did with more than 70 competitors participating. "We had the best from Nassau come here and rival with the best from Grand Bahama," he said. "I was very pleased with the turnout, This was the biggest ever. It will provide a lot of excitement for us when we stage the nationals in four weeks. We had some great competition across the board in the bikini, physique, men's bodybuilding and women'sfigure. "If you look at the athletes and the calibre of competitors that was on stage, everybody is bringing their A game. We want to go to the Dominican Republic to defend our title at the CAC Championships and I think from what we've seen at the Novice and the North Championships, we are well on our way to putting together a great team to defend our title."
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 25, 2016, PAGE 3
Inaugural Buddy Hield Invitational rocks the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium FROM PAGE 1 “You always want to work on every aspect of your game. I want to work on my shot a little more, work on getting a little bigger and work on my speed and agility and ball-handling. I’m looking to bring my leadership, defence work ethic and a couple buckets here and there.” Bromwell said the event provided ideal exposure for the players involved. “It was good to play in this event and it’s good exposure for me to show my talents. Whether we won or lost it was a good competition but I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I think I played a fair game, when you put a group of guys together it can get out of hand a bit, some guys are used to playing different styles of games. It’s a different mixture of talent on one team and everyone trying to build chemistry within a few days.” Sebastian Gray, a Sunrise Christian Academy student bound for Northern Oklahoma College, said Hield always served as an inspiration for the players at the school in Wichita, Kansas, who looked to follow a similar path. “It was a good opportunity, a special moment to be in the first game. I enjoyed it and had fun with the guys,” he said. “Every time Buddy came down [to Sunrise] he always talked with the guys from the Bahamas and encouraged us to work hard, stay focused and do what we have to do and see where that message got him.” Hield’s tour continues this week in Grand Bahama where he will share honours with fellow Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: The inaugural Buddy Hield Invitational produced one of the best endings event organisers could ask for, a near capacity crowd and a thrilling finish on the court. Adam Johnson scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out five assists to lead Team Alpha to a 94-93 win over Team Elite at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Saturday. Photo by Patrick Hanna/BIS
PAGE 4, Monday, July 25, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Meet our Olympians Name: Emily Morley Nickname: Em Age: 22 High School: Emma Willard School (Troy, NY) College: Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) Best subject: Integrated Marketing and Communications Event: Women’s Single Scull rowing Best time: 7min 57sec for an on-the-water 2,000m race International teams competed on: Emma Willard School crew, Ithaca College Crew and Sculling Coaches: Becky Robinson and Beth Greene Medals won: 2016 New York State Collegiate Champions, 2016 D3 Varsity 8+ Dad Vails Champions Favourite colour: Green Favourite snack: Strawberries and Nutella Favourite movie: Wild Idol: Megan Musnicki and Gevvie Stone Parents: David and Susan Morley Siblings: Laura and Peter Morley
Status: Single Expectations for Rio: Make the E final and beat some competitors I faced in the South American Olympic qualifiers.
• The Tribune is featuring profiles of the Bahamian Olympians daily in the buildup to the 2016 Games in Brazil next month
WALTIEA ROLLE: ‘THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR ME’ By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net WHILE the country celebrated the achievements of many of its sporting legends, one historic icon took to social media to express her displeasure at a lack of recognition by the Bahamian government. Waltiea Rolle, the first Bahamian to be drafted into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) drew attention to her situation as the attention of the local sporting community fixated on the honouring of the 38 legends at the Walk of Fame. “It’s time I address this. As I stroll down my timeline I see all these athletes and coaches who I’m not saying doesn’t deserve to go up, going down in history being recognised and pictures placed up by the sports center as the first to accomplish something big as a Bahamian. I’m not the type to complain about the government, but I’ve bussed my
butt as an athlete representing my country to the fullest. I’ve turned down playing for other countries on the national level for my country but yet they do nothing to recognise me and my accomplishments as the first woman from the Bahamas to be drafted and played in the WNBA,” she posted on Facebook. “I’m tired of being silent. I’m speaking up. No offence to those who have made history because you deserve it, but I’m fed up, it’s down right disrespectful. What a cold way to keep me unrecognised... This government has done absolutely nothing for me. So you mean to tell me all my years of sweat and tears and hardwork goes unrecognised. It’s cool though, but I will address the issue.” Rolle was a third-round pick (36th overall) by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2013 WNBA Draft and appeared in all three preseason games with the team, averaging 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. She made a point to clarify that
her displeasure was in no way associated with the celebrations surrounding recently drafted Buddy Hield and Jonquel Jones, but a general frustration by the consistent lack of acknowledgement. “I want to take this time to let everyone know who supported me and my argument that I am very appreciative and thanks for the support. Also for those people who keep bringing up Buddy and Jonquel, what I am saying is nothing against them. I am proud of them and their accomplishments and wish them both nothing but the best,” she said. “I was just clearly stating my concerns, nothing against them. So please stop twisting things around and making it a negative. I’ll really appreciate it.” The WNBA journey for Rolle ended last off-season when she was waived by the Seattle Storm. The 6’6” centre and University of North Carolina producct last played with Nymburk, of the Czech Republic’s ZBL League, where she averaged 16.3 points
and 10.4 rebounds in 31 games. In six games with the Storm in 2014, Rolle averaged 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Late in the season, the Storm re-signed Rolle for what was expected to be her second season with the franchise. She signed a series of seven-day contracts late in August 2014. They signed Rolle for the remainder of the 2014 season after she completed three 10-day contracts with the club. She made Bahamian basketball history by becoming the first Bahamian to play in the WNBA when she appeared in the Storm’s 80-74 loss to the Tulsa Shock on July 29, 2014. She signed her first seven-day contract with the Storm on July 21, dressing for all three of Seattle’s games from July 22-26, but did not receive playing time during the three games in that time span. During the second contract, she received spot duty in three consecutive contests when she
scored two points in each outing. She ended the season with five rebounds in a 78-65 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. After the draft, Rolle then elected to forego the entire 2013 WNBA season in favour of completing her degree in sports administration and exercise sports science at the University of North Carolina, and playing overseas. For the Lynx, her preseason highlight was when she led the team in scoring with 17 points and five rebounds in their 82-66 triumph over the Australian national team in Minneapolis on May 5. After completing training camp and the preseason with Minnesota, Rolle was waived last May just prior to the tip-off of the 2014 WNBA season. A 2013 graduate of North Carolina, Rolle owns two of the top 10 best shot-blocking seasons in school history. Her 89 blocks during the 2013 campaign stand are the sixth best of all-time and her 82 blocks in the 2011 season eighth in North Carolina history.
A ‘red carpet’ welcome home for Jonquel Jones FROM PAGE 1 perspective, now a rookie with the Connecticut Suns. She thanked her parents Preston and Ettamae Jones and all those persons, including Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, who would have played a pivotal role in her success so far. “I used to always be out here creating scenario and acting like Kobe or Lisa Leslie, but little did I know I would be coming home from a league where all of the greats have played,” she said. “It’s the highest level, but it’s a level that requires a lot from me so I will continue to work hard to ensure that I am on my game at all things and hopefully get better so that I can be one of the best that ever played in it.” Looking over the community centre that hosted a newly painted basketball court where she played as a youngster, Jones could only shake her head and said: “This is it.” “Every time during the ceremony that someone said Holmes Rock, it definitely filled my heart,” she lamented. “This is probably the best I’ve seen the park since I lived here. I’m telling you. I’ve never seen the park like this. You have all of the kids enjoying themselves in the bouncing castle, we got food and drinks, man, it’s an awesome feeling to be home right now. I’m really going to enjoy this week.” Sara McDonald, president of the Grand Bahama Power Company, said they wanted to create an atmosphere that will be reminiscent of Jones and the manner in which she conducted herself and so they were elated to partner with Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee
JONQUEL JONES and Buddy Hield were recognised on Friday night when their portraits were unveiled with others on the Walk of Fame at the entrance of the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. and Fred Sturrup in putting on a fitting tribute to honour Jones for her achievement. “We have always been a huge sponsor of coach McPhee and his HOYTES programme and we love the fact that we have the first Bahamian female drafted from Holmes Rock and we just wanted her to know that she had a whole island of 50,000 people cheering for her every step of the way,” McDonald said. “It does not matter whether it’s
the NBA or the WNBA. We feel she should be recognised for an incredible contribution. “We didn’t want to make it a fancy thing with all of the speeches and all that formal stuff. We wanted it to be something that the community that supported her would enjoy, so the kids are here, there’s the bouncing castles, free food, free drinks and everybody can get a chance to mix and mingle with Jonquel Jones. It doesn’t get any better
than this. I know she has a very busy week ahead of her before she go, so we will support her in anyway that we can.” Jones’ return home on the weekend came as Grand Bahama’s first NBA draftee Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield was wrapping up a week stay in the capital. Hield returned to Grand Bahama on Sunday where he was also greeted at the airport and escorted in a motorcade to begin a joint week long celebrations on
the island for the two players, who incidentally were selected with the sixth picks in the recent WNBA and NBA drafts. The two were recognised on Friday night when their portraits were unveiled with others on the Walk of Fame at the entrance of the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. While she was gracious in the gesture extended to her in her absence, Jones said she felt it was premature, but she will gladly accept the accolade. “I still have a lot to accomplish. Me and Buddy had great college careers. We’ve accomplished a lot,” said Jones, who is still be celebrated at George Washington as one of the greatest players to play for the Colonials women’s basketball team. “Some of the people in the Hall of Fame were people who solidified themselves throughout their careers. I appreciate it and I am honoured to bed a part of it, but I just feel that I can’t let that get me complacent and stop me from becoming the player that I want to be. “I appreciate it, but I still have a lot to accomplish too.” Jones is coming off her first career double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals in a Suns’ 94-89 win over the Chicago Sky. The 6-6 Jones has shown flashes of allaround dominance this season, using her versatility to stretch the floor and length to control the paint on both ends. Connecticut has now won five of their last eight games (including four wins on the road), and are just one game back of the 8th and final playoff spot. McPhee, an advocate for more recognition for Jones since she made the quantum leap, said it’s finally
good to see the community coming together and doing something that should have been done a long time ago. “In this time when we’re talking about gender equality, it’s hard that you have to fight some recognition for her,” McPhee pointed out. “In a way it’s sad, but it came, so I thank Sara McDonald because Sara had a daughter who played in the HOYTES programme and shed stepped on board. The only problem we had was the rain, but everything went very well. It’s a well deserved recognition for her. She’s a good girl and will become a great WNBA player.” With Hield coming back home, McPhee said it should be an exciting time for the island to showcase the two outstanding players who have gone on to make it to the WNBA and the NBA. The two new superstars reunited on Sunday as the celebrations in Grand Bahama continued. “They are very good friends who came up through the HOYTE programme and so I’m just glad to know that we would have played a role in their success, especially Jonquel,” said McPhee, the founder and president of HOYTES, Helping Our Youth Through Education and Sports. “Grand Bahama will never be the same, having the two of them back home together again.” While at home, Jones said she will enjoy as much “Bahamian food” as she can, spend some time with her family and friends, but continue to put in the work to stay in tip-top shape so that she can be ready when the WNBA resumes. In Tuesday’s edition, Jones will talk about her career so far and her drafting in the Korean League.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 25, 2016, PAGE 5
‘Vive la France’: Froome makes emotional Tour victory speech By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — After the beer and champagne celebrations, Chris Froome delivered a sobering and emotional message from the Tour de France winner’s podium on the ChampsElysees. Ten days after the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed 84 people, Froome — a Kenyan-born British rider who often trains on the French Riviera — reminded everyone what the Tour stands for. “These events put sport into perspective but they also show why the values of sport are so important to free society,” Froome said yesterday in a prepared speech. “We all love the Tour de France because it’s unpredictable but we love the Tour more for what stays the same — the passion of the fans for every nation, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through sport. These things will never change. “Thanks for your kindness in these difficult times,” Froome added, switching to French as he addressed the local fans. “You have the most beautiful race in the world. Vive le Tour, Vive la France.” Cheered on by thousands of fans undeterred by the recent spate of violence across Europe, Froome celebrated his third Tour title in four years. He finished safely at the back of the main pack in the final stage, arm-in-arm with his teammates during the mostly ceremonial leg ending on the cobblestones below the Arc de Triomphe. Immediately afterward,
Froome was greeted by his wife and infant son, who he took in his arms. “To Michelle my wife and my son Kellan, your love and support make everything possible. Kellan, I dedicate this victory to you,” Froome said, also thanking his teammates and coaches. Andre Greipel of Germany won the 21st leg in a sprint finish. At the start of the stage, Froome dropped back to his Team Sky car to collect bottles of beer and distributed them to each of his eight teammates for a celebratory round. Then it was time for the traditional flute of champagne. Froome rode a yellow bike to go with his yellow jersey, helmet, gloves and shoes. His teammates had yellow stripes on their jerseys and yellow handlebars on their bikes. Froome also still had bandages on his right knee and elbow, the result of a downhill crash two days ago. He finished with an advantage of 4 minutes, 5 seconds ahead of Romain Bardet of France, while Nairo Quintana of Colombia placed third overall, 4:21 back. Only four men — fivetime winners Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain — now have more Tour victories than Froome. “I’ve definitely grown to appreciate this history of the sport a lot more,” Froome said. “Being in the position that I’m in now, I’m understanding how tough it is to win a race like the Tour de France. To win back-toback editions and now to be a three-time winner is
TOUR DE FRANCE winner Chris Froome, of Britain, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the 21st stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Paris, France, yesterday. (AP) incredible. It’s beyond what I’ve ever dreamed.” While other big riders of his generation like Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali have all three Grand Tours — the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Spanish Vuelta — Froome plans to keep his focus on the Tour. “It would be my dream to keep coming back to the Tour de France for the next five, six years,” he said. “I’ve already won it three times and I wouldn’t say the novelty is wearing off. ... It’s the biggest event we have
on our calendar and to be here in the yellow jersey, it’s every cyclist’s dream.” Compared to his wins in 2013 and 2015, Froome has become more adept at handling speculation that he is doping. After facing constant accusations during last year’s race — including a spectator yelling ‘doper!’ and hurling a cup of urine at him — Froome released some of his training data at the end of last year. “I think I’ve put that to rest now,” he said. “I’ve really done a lot in terms of offering up my physiologi-
cal data and trying to be open to people as much as I can while protecting a competitive advantage at the same time.” Froome took the yellow jersey with a daring downhill attack in Stage 8, padded his lead with a late breakaway in Stage 11, and overcame a motor bike crash on the legendary Mont Ventoux and a fall on a slippery descent in the Alps with two stages to go. Tour director Christian Prudhomme complimented Froome for showing “panache” after his downhill
attack in the Pyrenees, and the fans have treated him better, too. “The atmosphere on the roads has been fantastic,” Froome said. “The French public, they make this race what it is.” Out of respect for the Nice victims, Froome refused to discuss race details the day after the attack. But he lauded Tour organisers for deciding to keep the race going. “It’s been a really strong sign,” he said, “that life goes on and it’s not going to be stopped by these terrorist activities.”
IOC leaders stop short of complete ban on Russians from Rio By GRAHAM DUNBAR and STEPHEN WILSON AP Sports Writer LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Rejecting calls by anti-doping officials for a complete ban on Russia, Olympic leaders yesterday gave individual global sports federations the task of deciding which athletes should be cleared to compete in next month’s Rio de Janeiro Games. Citing the need to protect the rights of individual athletes, the International Olympic Committee decided against taking the unprecedented step of excluding Russia’s entire team over allegations of statesponsored doping. Instead, the IOC left it to 27 sports federations to make the call on a case-by-case basis. “Every human being is entitled to individual justice,” IOC President Thomas Bach said after the ruling of his 15-member executive board. At the same time, Bach said the IOC had decided on a set of “very tough criteria” that could dent Russia’s overall contingent and medal hopes in Rio, where the Olympics will open on August 5. Under the measures, no Russian athletes who have ever had a doping violation will be allowed into the games, whether or not they have served a sanction, a rule that has not applied to athletes in other countries. In addition, the international sports federations were ordered to check each Russian athlete’s drugtesting record, with only doping controls conducted outside Russia counting toward eligibility, before authorising them to compete. Final entry is contingent on approval from an independent sports arbitrator. The IOC decision was sharply criticised by antidoping bodies as a sellout that undermines clean athletes and destroys the idea of a level playing field. “In response to the most important moment for clean athletes and the integrity of the Olympic Games, the IOC has refused to take decisive leadership,” US Anti-Doping Agency CEO
Travis Tygart said in a statement. “The decision regarding Russian participation and the confusing mess left in its wake is a significant blow to the rights of clean athletes.” Russia’s track and field athletes were already banned by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body, in a decision that was upheld Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The IOC accepted that ruling, but would not extend it to all other sports. Russia’s current overall team consists of 387 athletes, a number likely to be significantly reduced by the measure barring Russians who have previously served doping bans. Calls for a complete ban on Russia intensified after Richard McLaren, a Canadian lawyer commissioned by WADA, issued a report Monday accusing Russia’s sports ministry of overseeing a vast doping programme of its Olympic athletes. McLaren’s investigation, based heavily on evidence from former Moscow doping lab director Grigory Rodchenkov, affirmed allegations of brazen manipulation of Russian urine samples at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, but also found that state-backed doping had involved 28 summer and winter sports from 2011 to 2015. “An athlete should not suffer and should not be sanctioned for a system in which he was not implicated,” Bach told reporters on a conference call after Sunday’s meeting. “It is fine to talk about collective responsibility and banning everybody, but at the end of the day we have to be able to look in the eyes of the individual athletes concerned by this decision,” Bach acknowledged the decision “might not please everybody.” “This is not about expectations,” he said. “This is about doing justice to clean athletes all over the world.” Asked whether the IOC was being soft on Russia, Bach said: “Read the decision. ... You can see how high we set the bar. This is
IOC President Thomas Bach, left, talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP) not the end of the story but a preliminary decision that concerns Rio 2016.” Tygart, however, questioned why the IOC “would pass the baton to sports federations who may lack the adequate expertise or collective will to appropriately address the situation within the short window prior to the games.” The IOC also rejected the application by Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, an 800-metre runner and former doper who helped expose the doping scandal in her homeland, to compete under a neutral flag at the games. Stepanova, now living in the United States, competed as an individual athlete at last month’s European Championships in Amsterdam. But the IOC said Stepanova did not meet the criteria for running under the IOC flag and, because she had been previously banned for doping, did not satisfy the “ethical requirements” to compete in the games. However, the IOC added that it would invite Stepanova and her husband, Vitaly Stepanov, a former Russian anti-doping official who also turned whistleblower, to attend the games. Tygart expressed dismay at the decision to bar Stepanova. “The decision to refuse her entry into the games is incomprehensible and will undoubtedly deter whistleblowers in the future from coming forward,” he said. That means only one Russian track athlete is eligible to compete in Rio: US-based long jumper Darya Klishina was granted exceptional eligibility by the IAAF because she has
been tested outside of Russia. Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said “the majority” of Russia’s team complies with the IOC criteria and will be able to compete. About “80 per cent” of the Russian team regularly undergoes international testing of the kind specified by the IOC, he said. International federations will have only days to process the Russian cases, and some have little experience in handling doping matters. Many are still waiting for information from McLaren’s report. The International Tennis Federation, however, said Sunday that Russia’s eight-person tennis team meets the requirements as the players have been through regular international testing. Sunday’s measures are still a blow to Russia, an Olympic powerhouse which finished third in total medals at the 2012 London Games. The team could be without some of its star names in Rio because of the IOC measure barring any Russians who have previously served doping bans. However, the impact on the Russian medal tally is likely to be less severe than the damage caused by the earlier ban on its track team, Russia’s most successful contingent in London four years ago. Among those set to be ruled out are swimmer Yulia Efimova, the world 100-metre breaststroke champion; 2012 Olympic silver medal-winning weightlifter Tatyana Kashirina; and two-time Olympic bronze medal-winning cyclist Olga Zabelinskaya. All three have previously served doping bans. Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov presented his case to the IOC board at the beginning of Sunday’s meeting, promising full cooperation with investigations and guaranteeing “a complete and comprehensive restructuring of the Russian antidoping system.” He issued a strong plea against a full ban. “My question is this: If you treat
the cancer by cutting off the patient’s head and killing him, do you consider this as a victory in the fight?” he said in remarks released later. “That does not seem like a victory to me. But that is what is happening right now, as dozens of clean athletes are forced to miss the Olympic Games through no fault of their own.” In its decision, the IOC also: — asked the federations to examine the information and names of athletes and sports implicated in the McLaren report. Any of those implicated should not be allowed into the games, it said. — said the federations would have to apply their own rules if they want to
ban an entire Russian team from their events in Rio, as the IAAF has already done for track and field. — said Russian entries must be examined and upheld by an expert from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. — ruled that Russian athletes who are cleared for the games will be subjected to a “rigorous additional outof-competition testing programme.” The IOC also reiterated its “serious concerns” about the weaknesses in the fight against doping, and called on WADA to “fully review their anti-doping systems.” The IOC said it would propose measures for more transparency and independence.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STANDINGS
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 25, 2016, PAGE 7
Hamilton happy in Hungary and takes championship lead BUDAPEST - World Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix for a record fifth time yesterday to take the lead in the drivers’ championship lead from Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished second. Hamilton now has five race victories this season and 192 points, with Rosberg on 186 and Daniel Ricciardo, of Red Bull, third with 115, one point clear of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The British driver beat Rosberg by 1.977 seconds with Ricciardo a further 27 seconds behind, less than a second ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Rosberg won the first four races this year, while Hamilton has won five of the last six. Max Verstappen, who finished fifth yesterday, is the only non-Mercedes driver to win a race in 2016. Hamilton started second on the grid, with Rosberg in pole position, but was able to pass the German on the first turn. “The start was everything,” said Hamilton, who
before this victory was tied with Michael Schumacher for most wins at the Hungaroring, with four. “I got a good start, I had one of the Red Bulls on the inside so I was pressured quite a lot into turn one. What a day!” Ricciardo also briefly passed Rosberg at the start but while the Mercedes driver was able to pull back ahead in that duel he was never able to pass Hamilton. “I was happy to take Daniel in turn two and from then I was trying to put all the pressure possible on Lewis,” Rosberg said. “I lost the win there.” Hamilton’s lead over his German teammate was rarely more than two seconds, while Rosberg’s lead over Ricciardo grew to 8.1 seconds by the end of lap 18. The Australian, however, was able to close that gap to 2.8 seconds by lap 30. Mercedes noticed the shrinking lead and told Hamilton to “push” or they would pit Rosberg to change tyres ahead of him. Hamilton responded that he was “driving as best as I can” but seemed to respond
BRITISH Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix in Mogyorod, north-east of Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. (AP) to the request and Ricciardo never really challenged again. “I think the first part of the race we were quite competitive,” Ricciardo said. “But in the end it looked
like the Mercedes had a bit more in their back pocket and were able to improve the pace as the race went on.” The race seemed uneventful after lively practice
sessions - including a crash by Hamilton - and lengthy qualifying on Saturday, interrupted several times by heavy rainfall and numerous crashes along with controversy over Rosberg’s al-
THe WeaTHer repOrT
5-Day Forecast
TOday
OrlandO
High: 91° F/33° C low: 75° F/24° C
Tampa
Tuesday
Wednesday
THursday
FrIday
Times of clouds and sun
Mainly clear
Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots
Partly sunny with a brief shower
Partly sunny
Partly sunny with a thunderstorm
High: 92°
Low: 80°
High: 92° Low: 79°
High: 92° Low: 79°
High: 92° Low: 78°
High: 91° Low: 78°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
106° F
89° F
105°-88° F
106°-89° F
108°-91° F
111°-90° F
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
N
aBaCO
S
N
High: 87° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C
7‑14 knots
S
WesT palm BeaCH High: 91° F/33° C low: 80° F/27° C
6‑12 knots
FT. lauderdale
FreepOrT
High: 90° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C
E
W S
E
W
High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C
mIamI
High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C
6‑12 knots
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 91° F/33° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 94° F/35° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ............................................... 24.11” Normal year to date ................................... 18.51”
eleuTHera
nassau
High: 92° F/33° C low: 80° F/27° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016
High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
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Key WesT
High: 89° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C
High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
N
S
E
W
7‑14 knots
S
8‑16 knots
andrOs
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
tiDes For nassau High Today
Ht.(ft.)
Low
Ht.(ft.)
12:18 a.m. 12:55 p.m.
3.2 3.1
6:37 a.m. 7:05 p.m.
0.0 0.3
1:12 a.m. 1:54 p.m.
3.0 3.2
7:30 a.m. 8:08 p.m.
0.0 0.4
Wednesday 2:10 a.m. 2:57 p.m.
2.9 3.2
8:27 a.m. 9:14 p.m.
0.0 0.4
Thursday
3:13 a.m. 4:01 p.m.
2.8 3.3
9:27 a.m. 0.0 10:22 p.m. 0.4
Friday
4:18 a.m. 5:04 p.m.
2.7 3.4
10:29 a.m. 0.0 11:26 p.m. 0.3
Saturday
5:21 a.m. 6:03 p.m.
2.8 3.5
11:29 a.m. 0.0 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑
Sunday
6:21 a.m. 6:58 p.m.
2.8 3.6
12:26 a.m. 0.2 12:27 p.m. ‑0.1
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
6:34 a.m. 7:58 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
none 12:05 p.m.
last
new
First
Full
Jul. 26
aug. 2
aug. 10
aug. 18
CaT Island
E
W
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
Tuesday
almanac
E
W
N
uV inDex toDay
TOnIGHT
High: 88° F/31° C low: 77° F/25° C
leged failure to slow under yellow flags. McLaren’s Jenson Button was the only driver who did not finish the race, pulling out after 60 laps with smoke coming out of the car. He was also the first casualty of the new rules by FIA, motorsport’s governing body, forcing drivers to enter the pit lane for repairs - or withdraw from the race - if they are warned over the radio of any malfunctions. Button started eighth but soon developed hydraulic problems. He was instructed to avoid shifting gears, which meant he should have returned to the pit lane, but the car seemed to recover and he was told to stay out on the track. Stewards reviewed the radio messages and gave Button a drivethrough penalty, to the British driver’s clear dismay. In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes leads with 378 points. Ferrari has 224 and Red Bull 223. The next round of the championship is the German Grand Prix next Sunday at Hockenheim.
san salVadOr
GreaT eXuma
High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
N
High: 89° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C
E
W S
lOnG Island
insurance management tracking map
High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
8‑16 knots
mayaGuana High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns raGGed Island High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C
H
High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C
GreaT InaGua High: 88° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C
N
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
10‑20 knots
10‑20 knots
marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr
Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday:
WINDS SE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots
WAVES 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet
VISIBILITY 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 86° F 84° F 87° F 86° F 84° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 82° F 85° F 84° F 85° F 84° F
PAGE 8, Monday, July 25, 2016
THE TRIBUNE