ABACO WELCOMES GOLDEN GIRLS

November 2000 Table of Contents

ABACO WELCOMES GOLDEN GIRLS

There was an outpouring of pride and affection when the five Olympic gold medal girls - Sevatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson and Eldece Clarke-Lewis - visited Abaco on 18th and 19th October. Also with the Golden Girls were Minister of Sports David Thompson and Olympic 400m runners Troy McIntosh and Wellington Sears. In a brief ceremony at Marsh Harbour International Airport attended by over 500 people, the athletes were welcomed to the island by Senior Administrator Everette Hart. Master of Ceremonies Jackson McIntosh led the singing of Happy Birthday to You for Sevatheda Fynes, who had celebrated her birthday the previous day. The party then went to Abaco Beach Resort for breakfast.

Later in the morning a three and a half mile-long motorcade started at the Marsh Harbour International Airport and wound its way through Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town and Murphy Town. Over 300 cars took part in the motorcade and crowds waved and cheered and received autographs as the Golden Girls passed by. At Friendship Day Care Centre in Dundas Town the athletes' open cars pulled over so they could chat with the pre-schoolers lining the road and read their signs.

The motorcade arrived at Abaco Central Park at midday and the celebrities were greeted by Abaco Central High School Head Girl Keora Brown. Minister Thompson addressed the crowd of some 1500 enthusiastic people and there were presentations by the local schools. Abaco athletes Sevatheda Fynes and Troy McIntosh were presented with framed Abaco Markets Ltd shares. Then it was time to go north to S C Bootle High School where another rapturous welcome was experienced. It was 5 pm before the Golden Girls arrived at the Spinnaker Restaurant in Treasure Cay for a late lunch.

The biggest celebration of the day was saved for last. Several thousand people from all over the island thronged Ingraham's Park in Coopers Town in the evening to celebrate with the Olympians and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who had flown in during the afternoon. It was a night to remember. Prime Minister Ingraham congratulated the Olympic athletes and pointed out that he was family to both Sevatheda and Troy along the way. Prime Minister Ingraham was in the Czech Republic when he received news that the World Champion relay team had won Olympic gold. He also reminded the people of Coopers Town that Ingraham Park was not a public park but a personal endowment in perpetuity. During his remarks the Prime Minister said the FNM government would establish a national lottery in its next term of service. (The Prime Minister is on record that he personally would not seek a third term in office.) Greater emphasis would be placed upon establishing sports facilities throughout the Islands and funding athletic events. The private sector was also encouraged to participate in the development of sports in The Bahamas.

Next morning the Golden Girls party visited Treasure Cay School before flying down to Sandy Point for a South Abaco reception, then went on to Nassau to continue celebrations at the College of The Bahamas. Before they left Abaco the Olympians made it clear that Abaco had given them the most heartfelt reception of all, even more than Nassau and Freeport.

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