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Are the Golden Knights About to Rise Again?
By IAAF World Relays Bahamas
May 1, 2015 - 12:26:05 PM

Photo: IAAF World Relays Bahamas

It's still not confirmed whether or not he will, but Demetrius Pinder of The Bahamas was seen working-out with the men's4x400m relay team on Thursday (April 30). Slowed by a hamstring injury, Pinder hasn't seen much competition within the last two seasons. Judging by smiles and giggles shared between with fellow quarter-milers Chris Brown, Ramon Miller and Michael Mathieu, it was good to see Pinder moving on the track again.

Pinder suffered an injury during the first hosting of Chris Brown's Invitational meet back in 2013. Leading up to that moment, Pinder had just became a training partner of American Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merrit. He was clocking some of the fastest individual 400mtimes in the world, with a personal best time of 44.77.

It was also good to see the likes of Andretti Bain back on the track too. The former St. John's High School and Oral Roberts College standout had been missing in action for quite some time. Back in 2008, Bain clocked a personal best 44.62 to win the NCAA Individual Outdoor 400m Championship.

"Ya know, the last few years were rough in terms of injuries. But last year my body started feeling good, and I started to make a come-back. I think this year is going to be a great year. But everything for me right now is focused towards 2016. My plan is to definitely get back down to 44's (seconds) this year, and in 2016 - try to get into the Olympic finals, and try to bring back home an Olympic medal," said Bain.

While Bain has been named to the4x400m relay team, Pinder has not. It's been confirmed by the World Relays local organizing committee's department in charge of competition rules that teams can alternate athletes between events. The rules outline that teams must declare participation of an athlete at least one hour before the announcement of the event they are to compete in. Therefore, it's a good chance that Bahamians will get to see their core Olympic Gold Men's 4x400m team compete together on home soil for the first time.

The Americans are defending champions of the 4x400m at the IAAF World Relays. But The Bahamian Olympic Champions are looking like the favorites to win.Especially with a stable full of healthy horses, each capable of clockingsub-45 second splits. It may not be too lofty for the home crowd to expect to see their 'Golden Knights' set a new record, whether that be National, Meet, or World record.

"I feel pretty good, and I feel we should run pretty fast. Everyone seems to be healthy and on a good track right now. I definitely think that we can break the Meet record, but World Record-wise I don't think that we're there yet. I think we may be there in a few months time... Yeah - but not right now," said Matheiu.

Back home, and fresh off his 44.76 performance at the Drake Relays in the individual men's 400m. 36 year old 'Fireman' Chris Brown set a new World Masters 35+ Age Category record in the individual 400m.He seemed to be in high spirits, and enjoying a few casual moments with his teammates.While we know the business of professional sports is taken very serious, it was great to see the Bahamians relaxed and smiling together.