Nassau, Bahamas - On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Iram Lewis extends sincere condolences on the passing of Leonard ‘Skeeter’ Dames on Sunday, 14th March, 2021.
Dames was a dominant sprinter in the 1950s with his specialty event being the 220-yard dash. Dames was among four persons named to the country’s first national track and field team selected to represent The Bahamas at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954 held in British Columbia in the province of Vancouver, Canada.
Among those joining on that team included sprinters Rinky Isaacs, and Cyril ‘Peepsight’ Johnson and the Team Manager at the time was Cyril Richardson. Though not advancing to the finals, Dames distinguished himself in achieving personal best times in both short sprints. Just one year later in 1955, Dames handed a fellow outstanding sprinter, Thomas A. Robinson his only defeat on Bahamian soil in the 100 yard dash.
In recognition and appreciation for his early contributions to athletics and the development of sports for the country, Leonard Dames was officially inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
