The country captured its first gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics Friday when the men’s 4×400 meter relay team blew past the United States to finish with a time of 2 minutes and 56.72 seconds.

The race, which was won over the final 20 meters, marks the first Olympic men’s gold medal in any sport for the country and the first American loss in that race at the Olympics since 1972.

And even after many disappointments, setbacks and even injuries, Team Bahamas dominated the track Friday.
Chris Brown – who ran the first leg – trailed slightly for a few moments but passed the baton to Michael Mathieu who started the takeover.

It was then off to Demetrius Pinder who fought hard to keep up with the Americans.

And then there was Ramon Miller, the anchor, who remained on the heels of the Americans, but in the end passed them down to bring home the gold.

“I give all thanks to the Lord. I didn’t lose faith and I didn’t lose confidence and I didn’t let the 400 meter race disappoint me,” said Mr. Brown who spoke with Team Bahamas lead sponsor Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) immediately following the race.

“I knew that the country was depending on us to bring home something. I trusted in my team mates and they trusted in me.”

The win was a bittersweet one for Demetrius who just recently lost his sister. He said he channelled her spirit during the entire race to bring home the gold.

“I just want to give thanks to God for allowing us to go out there and be strong. I lost my sister recently and I went out there and did it for her. I just want to thank my people for their support.”

“When I passed [Angelo Taylor], I realised we had it in the bag,” said Ramon as he recounted the final moments of the race.

“At that point I knew he would not be able to come past me. After we passed the 60 meter mark, there was no way he would be able to sneak up on me. But we really have to thank God for our victory. It has been a long time coming and we finally did it, thank God.”

It was certainly a proud day for Bahamas Olympic Committee Secretary General Rommell Knowles and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA’s) President Mike Sands.

“The pressure was just tremendous,” said Mr. Knowles who insists that despite how good you do, “unless you win it’s all for naught.”

“To be winning from 1982, to be consistent and then to come here and win a gold medal in the last event is just amazing,” he said.

“And the reality is if we didn’t win the gold we would have failed the country.”

Mr. Sands talked about the game plan which eventually led to gold.

“We sat down after the semi-finals and charted the strategy. We determined that we had to be in it to win it. Every one of them ran a very intelligent race with great control. That environment could cause you to lose your game plan but they all stuck to it and we got exactly the result we wanted,” Mr. Sands said.

Also throwing her support behind the men’s relay team was Olympic medal winner, Pauline Davis Thompson who was overcome with emotions.

“This has been one amazing day,” Mrs. Davis Thompson said.

“I am beside myself. It’s as if I am still dreaming. For us to be awarded [a gold medal] a few years ago in the world relay and now we win gold with the men, it makes me very proud to be a Bahamian.”

The Bahamas beat out eight other relay teams to capture that Olympic gold medal.

The Bahamas won in 2 minutes, 56.72 seconds, .33 seconds ahead of the U.S.

Trinidad and Tobago finished third and the South African team, anchored by double amputee Oscar ‘Blade Runner’ Pistorius, fell well behind. Pistorius finished last.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Prime Minister Perry Christie described the men’s relay team as a “magnificent quartet.”

Prime Minister Christie said the entire race from start to finish was a model of discipline, precision teamwork, strategic planning and superlative execution.

In a statement Prime Minister Christie said the final leg of the relay run by Ramon Miller was particularly brilliant.

“These four men are our role models whose discipline, fortitude, ability to work together and determination are truly awe inspiring and are a shining example to our entire nation,” he said.

“This is a great day for The Bahamas…a proud nation which stands at attention and salutes four of its finest sons.”