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).

Genymphas Higgs, 18, is the first Grand Bahamian to receive the All-Merit Scholarship.

Higgs, scoring an impressive 2210 on his SAT's and seven A's on the BDCSE's this year, has always been looked at by administrators as an intelligent young person. He even managed to really wow his parents by being honored as valedictorian of his graduating class of Bahamas Catholic High School in June.

Higgs has always loved biology and had some interest in engineering. when he began to mix these two interests he peaked an interest towards developing and enhancing agriculture.

He he plans on making his home Bahamas the first site for experimentation. By using bioengineering, Higgs says he can create crop seeds that could be disease and pest-resistant. Also, by modifying them the seeds could adapt and grow in sparse soil conditions.

Such work can allow the Bahamas to become more self-dependent with food and increase exports in produce to new markets. Higgs is very much looking forward to doing this but says it could take up to 10-15 years.

When asked if he feels pressure to succeed, he simply answered that his best isn't always reaching success, but knowing at the end of the day that he's tried his best. Higgs will be attending Pennsylvania University in September.

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Jeremy Knowles at the Beijing Olympics 2008

Jeremy Knowles finished 4th in the Men's 200m Medley Qualification - Heat 3, but it was not enough to take him to the next round.

Jeremy Knowles competed on the 10th for the Men's 200m Butterfly Qualification his time was 2:01.08 and he finished 35th.

On the 12th, his first heat, he competed in the Men's 200m Medley Qualification and his time was 2:01.35 and finished 24th.

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