Prime Minister Perry Christie and several Cabinet Ministers yesterday praised Shaunae Miller for her performance in the 400m relay where she took home the Gold medal and now stands as number one in the world in a time 49.44 seconds.

In lane four was America’s most decorated female sprinter Allyson Felix, lane five – Jamaican first time Olympian Shericka Jackson and in lane seven for The Bahamas was the 22-year-old University of Georgia student.

Miller famously dived into first place as she was neck and neck with Felix.

In a statement, Prime Minister Christie said Miller’s performance will stand as one of the most iconic moments in Bahamian history.

“Shaunae’s victory is so emblematic of our greatness as a people. We never give up.  We push above our weight.  We fight with all our might, and we go for the gold with every sinew at our command. Shaunae showed us, and all the world, the best we are and the very best we can become,” he said.

“On behalf of the government and the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and on my own behalf, I congratulate Shaunae Miller on her great and glorious triumph in Rio yesterday. She has filled me and all of us with an immense pride.  May God continue to bless her and all our other athletes at the Rio Olympics.”

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe says athletes like Miller bring pride to the country on a grand scale specifically in the area of tourism.

“Shaunae Miller has etched her name into history as one of the greatest Bahamian sprinters the world has ever seen. I take great pleasure, along with all Bahamians, in congratulating her on a hard fought victory. Today, Bahamians across our archipelago and the world are filled with love and admiration for Shaunae and the glory she has brought us,” he said.

Wilchcombe added that Miller is now an official Tourism Ambassador having drawn the attention of millions around the world to The Bahamas.

“The Bahamas is fortunate to have a daughter who not only makes us proud but who inspires our people and will inspire people around the world to learn more about our country and hopefully to visit,” he said.

Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald says furthermore the win represents the true spirit of a Bahamian.

“From that context, that is where I personally felt a sense of pride,” he said.

“At the end of the day you never give up you set your goals and when you’re that close to success you just have to give it everything you and that’s what she did. It’s good to also see she was very reflective and prayerful afterwards.”

The Bahama Journal also took to the streets to hear from Bahamians directly.

“I was so proud of her but when I heard they were just hoping she would win, I said God help her to keep our name on the map and she did,” said Mrs. Bridgette Francis.

“I was very proud of her, I thought she did very well and it made me feel really good to see a Bahamian win,” said Carlette Curry.

Now that Miller brought home the gold, suggestions are also pouring in on how the superwoman should be awarded once back on home turf.

Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller says he hopes the government does better this time around making reference to failed promises allegedly made to the previous Olympics Men’s 4x100M team.

“I don’t think we do enough for our athletes and she is no exception,” Mr. Miller said.

“I would hope that this time the government would do the right thing, not just on our behalf but on behalf of all of our female and male athletes who have done so well and made us so proud.”

Miller becomes the third Bahamian to win an individual gold medal for the Bahamas following Pauline Davis-Thompson in 2000 in the 200m and Tonique Williams-Darling in 2004 also in the 400m.”

Since 1952, The Bahamas has brought home a total of five gold medals, two silvers and five bronze.