The new recruits of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force were charged with protecting the country; particularly at sea, from illicit activities that threaten national security.

Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of National Security the Hon. Brent Symonette delivered the message as he addressed the Graduation Ceremony for New Entry 45 at the HMBS Coral Harbour this weekend.

Mr. Symonette admonished the 52 marines to render “patriotic and exemplary service” as they protect the country’s 100,000 square nautical miles.

“Your accomplishment is built on the commitment you made, and which you have kept. It is built on the demands made of you, which you have met. It is built on the sacrifices you made and the challenges you confronted head on,” he said.

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Silver winning men's 4x400-meter relay team members of Bahamas smile with their medals during an awarding ceremony during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008.

The American quartet of LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, David Neville and Jeremy Wariner clocked a combined time of two minutes 55.39 seconds.

Bahamas, represented by Andretti Bain, Michael Mathieu, Andrae Williams and Christopher Brown, finished second in 2:58.03. Bahamas anchor Chris Brown surged into second and held off Russia's Denis Alexeev at the line.

The Russian team of Maksim Dyldin, Vladislav Frolov, Anton Kokorin and Denis Alexeev were third in 2:58.06.

Source: BahamasLocal.com

Leevan Sands does it for the Bahamas. At last a medal is heading back from the Beijing Summer Olympics 2008. Sands managed to get a distance of 57ft 8 1/2in.

Leevan Sands has now set a Bahamas national record. Sands has become the country's first and only medal at the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Just four years ago, he wasn't even in the Olympic final.

Sands, after posting two sub-17-metre efforts in the men's triple jump, surged into contention with a strong third effort, measured at a Bahamas national record and career-best 17.59 metres.

The mark made him No.3 all-time in the English-speaking Caribbean behind Jamaican James Beckford (17.92) and Bermuda's Brian Wellman (17.62).

Portugal's Nelson Evora (17.67) grabbed the gold medal ahead of Phillips Idowu (17.62).

First semi-final of the women's 200m and the two Jamaican's who have run sub-21seconds Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart lead the way.

Defending champion Campbell-Brown wins in a time of 22.19. America's Muna Lee takes third in a personal best time of 22.29 and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas sneaks the fourth place 22.51. Emily Freeman in lane eight for this second semi.

Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie came in 7th in the 100m final.

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The Gatorade Finals in Nassau Bahamas

Douglas Cowper emerged victorious with a 2-0 score over challenger Joe Euteneuer in the finals of the Gatorade Handicap Squash Tournament held last week at the Squash Club on Village Road. Close to twenty squash enthusiasts took part in the two-week handicap style tournament.

In the plate round, Kevin Demeritte beat Len Davies 2-1.

Finalists were presented with gifts from lead sponsor Gatorade, and are pictured from left, Joe Euteneuer, Len Davies, Kevin Demeritte and Douglas Cowper.

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