By SHELDON LONGLEY, NG Sports Editor, slongley@nasguard.com


Arguably the most revered individual competitor in Bahamian history said last night what her fans worldwide were waiting an entire season to hear.

She will be back!

The petite but powerful Tonique Williams-Darling is not retired, and will give Bahamians and her fans everywhere a final tribute on the track through competition. As a matter of fact, she plans to re-claim world prominence at the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin, Germany next year.

Rumors were spreading like wildfire relating our former World and present Olympic Champion after she had not competed since early 2006, and was showing no signs of defending her Olympic title - some of them were even true according to Williams-Darling on an interview on the national television station last night. One eye-popping rumor, that she was on performance-enhancing drugs, certainly was not though. Williams-Darling vehemently denied that notion, and assured the Bahamian public that she has no intentions of ever taking them.

What about the rumor of pregnancy though?

Well, with husband Dennis by her side, a noticeable broader Tonique Williams-Darling confirmed last night that she was expecting a child, and was still nursing a nagging hamstring injury that bothered her all of 2007. After taking her entire World Championships' defense year off, Williams-Darling said last night that the hamstring issue is no longer a factor, but added that more pressing issues limited her training in 2008. As a result, she decided to take a back seat this year as well, after beginning the year with every intention of defending her Olympic title.

Williams-Darling is still the first individual gold medalist in Olympic history for The Bahamas, pending the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) re-allocation of Marion Jones' 2000 Olympic medals. However, Williams-Darling realizes that she has fallen out of favor with some of her fans for an eerie silence this year. She was even spotted at the Bajan Olympic Trials last week. Nevertheless, Williams-Darling gave assurance last night that she has found solace with herself and her family, and is ready to win back the hearts of her many fans, particularly Bahamians who supported her so steadfastly throughout her career.

"For a long time, I wasn't in a happy place but I'm in a happy place now," she said last night. "I had some medical issues this year and Dennis and I were expecting our first child. That interrupted my training and we needed time together as a family."

After former Mexican World Champion Ana Guevara decided to hang up her cleats at the beginning of the year, there were concerns that Williams-Darling would join her long-time rival and call it a career. The 32-year-old quarter-miler assured last night that she would prepare for one last 'swan song' on the track though. She didn't say whether she plans on officially retiring after 2009 or not, but has vowed to return next year when she will attempt to re-capture her World title in Berlin.

Williams-Darling was out of track and field before, for three years, only to return and rise straight to the top of the world with an Olympic and Golden League title in 2004. She substantiated that performance with a world title in 2005. A year later at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, Williams-Darling finished second to former banned British sprinter Christine Ohuruogu in the women's 400 meters in 50.76 seconds.

That was her final race on the track to date, but relieving for Bahamians, it won't be the final race of her career. The Bahamas might not have the pleasure of watching the glorious Tonique Williams-Darling circle the track at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, China this year, thereby defending her Olympic title, but at least there is the promise of a return in 2009. She came back from a three-year hiatus in 2003 to conquer the world - who's to say she can't do it again?

By SHELDON LONGLEY, NG Sports Editor, slongley@nasguard.com
Arguably the most revered individual competitor in Bahamian history said last night what her fans worldwide were waiting an entire season to hear.
She will be back!
The petite but powerful Tonique Williams-Darling is not retired, and will give Bahamians and her fans everywhere a final tribute on the track through competition. As a matter of fact, she plans to re-claim world prominence at the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin, Germany next year.
Rumors were spreading like wildfire relating our former World and present Olympic Champion after she had not competed since early 2006, and was showing no signs of defending her Olympic title - some of them were even true according to Williams-Darling on an interview on the national television station last night. One eye-popping rumor, that she was on performance-enhancing drugs, certainly was not though. Williams-Darling vehemently denied that notion, and assured the Bahamian public that she has no intentions of ever taking them.
What about the rumor of pregnancy though?
Well, with husband Dennis by her side, a noticeable broader Tonique Williams-Darling confirmed last night that she was expecting a child, and was still nursing a nagging hamstring injury that bothered her all of 2007. After taking her entire World Championships' defense year off, Williams-Darling said last night that the hamstring issue is no longer a factor, but added that more pressing issues limited her training in 2008. As a result, she decided to take a back seat this year as well, after beginning the year with every intention of defending her Olympic title.
Williams-Darling is still the first individual gold medalist in Olympic history for The Bahamas, pending the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) re-allocation of Marion Jones' 2000 Olympic medals. However, Williams-Darling realizes that she has fallen out of favor with some of her fans for an eerie silence this year. She was even spotted at the Bajan Olympic Trials last week. Nevertheless, Williams-Darling gave assurance last night that she has found solace with herself and her family, and is ready to win back the hearts of her many fans, particularly Bahamians who supported her so steadfastly throughout her career.
"For a long time, I wasn't in a happy place but I'm in a happy place now," she said last night. "I had some medical issues this year and Dennis and I were expecting our first child. That interrupted my training and we needed time together as a family."
After former Mexican World Champion Ana Guevara decided to hang up her cleats at the beginning of the year, there were concerns that Williams-Darling would join her long-time rival and call it a career. The 32-year-old quarter-miler assured last night that she would prepare for one last 'swan song' on the track though. She didn't say whether she plans on officially retiring after 2009 or not, but has vowed to return next year when she will attempt to re-capture her World title in Berlin.
Williams-Darling was out of track and field before, for three years, only to return and rise straight to the top of the world with an Olympic and Golden League title in 2004. She substantiated that performance with a world title in 2005. A year later at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, Williams-Darling finished second to former banned British sprinter Christine Ohuruogu in the women's 400 meters in 50.76 seconds.
That was her final race on the track to date, but relieving for Bahamians, it won't be the final race of her career. The Bahamas might not have the pleasure of watching the glorious Tonique Williams-Darling circle the track at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, China this year, thereby defending her Olympic title, but at least there is the promise of a return in 2009. She came back from a three-year hiatus in 2003 to conquer the world - who's to say she can't do it again?I watched that lying interview.... I did not beleive a thing that she said.. espically about the drugs....

I think she MUST SUBMIT to a drug test most Bahamians thibnk she is drugged up.. and they believe that the reason why she stays out of the public eyes is because of the drugs... NOW THERE>>>> GO FIGURE !!!!!!!!

John Scott, head of the UK Anti-Doping Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Bahamas Olympic Committee. They met for lunch at the Cricket Club earlier this year, and Scott invited Bahamian officials to join a rigorous anti-doping committee that the EU and most advanced countries belong to.

Scott was gently rebuffed and told that the Bahamas prefers to adhere to the Barbados protocol, which is a lot more lenient. SMT.

By SHELDON LONGLEY, NG Sports Editor, slongley@nasguard.com
Arguably the most revered individual competitor in Bahamian history said last night what her fans worldwide were waiting an entire season to hear.
She will be back!
The petite but powerful Tonique Williams-Darling is not retired, and will give Bahamians and her fans everywhere a final tribute on the track through competition. As a matter of fact, she plans to re-claim world prominence at the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin, Germany next year.
Rumors were spreading like wildfire relating our former World and present Olympic Champion after she had not competed since early 2006, and was showing no signs of defending her Olympic title - some of them were even true according to Williams-Darling on an interview on the national television station last night. One eye-popping rumor, that she was on performance-enhancing drugs, certainly was not though. Williams-Darling vehemently denied that notion, and assured the Bahamian public that she has no intentions of ever taking them.
What about the rumor of pregnancy though?
Well, with husband Dennis by her side, a noticeable broader Tonique Williams-Darling confirmed last night that she was expecting a child, and was still nursing a nagging hamstring injury that bothered her all of 2007. After taking her entire World Championships' defense year off, Williams-Darling said last night that the hamstring issue is no longer a factor, but added that more pressing issues limited her training in 2008. As a result, she decided to take a back seat this year as well, after beginning the year with every intention of defending her Olympic title.
Williams-Darling is still the first individual gold medalist in Olympic history for The Bahamas, pending the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) re-allocation of Marion Jones' 2000 Olympic medals. However, Williams-Darling realizes that she has fallen out of favor with some of her fans for an eerie silence this year. She was even spotted at the Bajan Olympic Trials last week. Nevertheless, Williams-Darling gave assurance last night that she has found solace with herself and her family, and is ready to win back the hearts of her many fans, particularly Bahamians who supported her so steadfastly throughout her career.
"For a long time, I wasn't in a happy place but I'm in a happy place now," she said last night. "I had some medical issues this year and Dennis and I were expecting our first child. That interrupted my training and we needed time together as a family."
After former Mexican World Champion Ana Guevara decided to hang up her cleats at the beginning of the year, there were concerns that Williams-Darling would join her long-time rival and call it a career. The 32-year-old quarter-miler assured last night that she would prepare for one last 'swan song' on the track though. She didn't say whether she plans on officially retiring after 2009 or not, but has vowed to return next year when she will attempt to re-capture her World title in Berlin.
Williams-Darling was out of track and field before, for three years, only to return and rise straight to the top of the world with an Olympic and Golden League title in 2004. She substantiated that performance with a world title in 2005. A year later at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, Williams-Darling finished second to former banned British sprinter Christine Ohuruogu in the women's 400 meters in 50.76 seconds.
That was her final race on the track to date, but relieving for Bahamians, it won't be the final race of her career. The Bahamas might not have the pleasure of watching the glorious Tonique Williams-Darling circle the track at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, China this year, thereby defending her Olympic title, but at least there is the promise of a return in 2009. She came back from a three-year hiatus in 2003 to conquer the world - who's to say she can't do it again?
She took long enough to respond! How hard it was to make a phone call to the media, just to say well,I aint racing this year okay.

She took long enough to respond! How hard it was to make a phone call to the media, just to say well,I aint racing this year okay.

dis da seme issue i raise when neville dumbdumb :realmad: decide to name one a da longest roadways in new providence after a young athlete who had years and years to build a legacy and prove herself to da bahamian people outside of winning a race abroad...she did da bahamas proud yes but i feel her bestowments were way in the excessive...all her neice dem at st johns getting free tuition, she get land, she get one heap a money AND she on payroll? when we ga learn...if ya ask me, pauline/maryann higgs and some a da udda athletes who been bussin dere ars from time are worthy of more dey get...tonique had an obligation to her fans to inform dem of what she was up to...once simple call!! im sure she gat vonage (suck teeth & BOL)...das why i dont go in da road to jump up and down for nobody :taped2: ...or!

dis da seme issue i raise when neville dumbdumb :realmad: decide to name one a da longest roadways in new providence after a young athlete who had years and years to build a legacy and prove herself to da bahamian people outside of winning a race abroad...she did da bahamas proud yes but i feel her bestowments were way in the excessive...all her neice dem at st johns getting free tuition, she get land, she get one heap a money AND she on payroll? when we ga learn...if ya ask me, pauline/maryann higgs and some a da udda athletes who been bussin dere *** from time are worthy of more dey get...tonique had an obligation to her fans to informm dem of what she was up to...once simple call!! im sure she gat vonage (suck teeth & BOL)...das why i dont go in da road to jump up and down for nobody :taped2: ...or!

The name Neville :confused::confused: Wisdom is synonymous with your quote bestowments were way in the excessive. Okay? SMT! :hammer:

dis da seme issue i raise when neville dumbdumb :realmad: decide to name one a da longest roadways in new providence after a young athlete who had years and years to build a legacy and prove herself to da bahamian people outside of winning a race abroad...she did da bahamas proud yes but i feel her bestowments were way in the excessive...all her neice dem at st johns getting free tuition, she get land, she get one heap a money AND she on payroll? when we ga learn...if ya ask me, pauline/maryann higgs and some a da udda athletes who been bussin dere *** from time are worthy of more dey get...tonique had an obligation to her fans to informm dem of what she was up to...once simple call!! im sure she gat vonage (suck teeth & BOL)...das why i dont go in da road to jump up and down for nobody :taped2: ...or!

Vell vait! Eh EH


VEY YOU BEEN.

You carn juss run back up in here, talkin bout who you gun jump up in da road for and who you ain't, with out xplainin vey you been.

Las time we sawed you, you drop da dime on the Kidz and dey skroll, and GONE!

Anyway, good to see you back!

Shady boots!:):)

By SHELDON LONGLEY, NG Sports Editor, slongley@nasguard.com
Arguably the most revered individual competitor in Bahamian history...

Come again?

Come again?

** arguably ** being the key word here, eh?

i'll take sir durward's sailing gold (our first ever) or debbie ferguson singing her heart out in sydney anytime, thankyouverymuch!

Vell vait! Eh EH
VEY YOU BEEN.
You carn juss run back up in here, talkin bout who you gun jump up in da road for and who you ain't, with out xplainin vey you been.
Las time we sawed you, you drop da dime on the Kidz and dey skroll, and GONE!
Anyway, good to see you back!
Shady boots!:):)

U DID MISS ME AYE? AHHH CHILE SHADY...I BEEN RITCHEA TRYIN TO BALANCE SCHOOL AN MY LIFE...WARNING TO ALL READING DIS...DO YA MASTERS B4 YA REACH 25 (BOL)...MAN TONIQUE HAD ME HOARSE IN ATLANTIS LOBBY...ME DRESS UP SAY I IS MANAGER AND BEHAVIN LIKE AN IDIOT IN FRONT A DA TV WITH ALL A DEM TURIS DEM WATCHING HER RACE AT DA OLYMPICS... NAH SHE GA HAVE ME SENDIN OUT ABP OUT FOR HER (SUCK TEETH) WHERE LADY CHIPPIE AND DA RESS A MY NEW FRENZ...? I HOPE DEY OK...

The name Neville :confused::confused: Wisdom is synonymous with your quote Okay? SMT! :hammer:

OR!!!

(man da pernt...i wan post one new post but i ein know how...come..enlighten me)

U DID MISS ME AYE? AHHH CHILE SHADY...I BEEN RITCHEA TRYIN TO BALANCE SCHOOL AN MY LIFE...WARNING TO ALL READING DIS...DO YA MASTERS B4 YA REACH 25 (BOL)...MAN TONIQUE HAD ME HOARSE IN ATLANTIS LOBBY...ME DRESS UP SAY I IS MANAGER AND BEHAVIN LIKE AN IDIOT IN FRONT A DA TV WITH ALL A DEM TURIS DEM WATCHING HER RACE AT DA OLYMPICS... NAH SHE GA HAVE ME SENDIN OUT ABP OUT FOR HER (SUCK TEETH) WHERE LADY CHIPPIE AND DA RESS A MY NEW FRENZ...? I HOPE DEY OK...


BOL!!!!

U DID MISS ME AYE? AHHH CHILE SHADY...I BEEN RITCHEA TRYIN TO BALANCE SCHOOL AN MY LIFE...WARNING TO ALL READING DIS...DO YA MASTERS B4 YA REACH 25 (BOL)...MAN TONIQUE HAD ME HOARSE IN ATLANTIS LOBBY...ME DRESS UP SAY I IS MANAGER AND BEHAVIN LIKE AN IDIOT IN FRONT A DA TV WITH ALL A DEM TURIS DEM WATCHING HER RACE AT DA OLYMPICS... NAH SHE GA HAVE ME SENDIN OUT ABP OUT FOR HER (SUCK TEETH) WHERE LADY CHIPPIE AND DA RESS A MY NEW FRENZ...? I HOPE DEY OK...

Who you telling, try before 35! LOL, LOL

Errybody safe, but one fight going on and you know how we like fight. Meet us by da Tuck shop!

Who you telling, try before 35! LOL, LOL
Errybody safe, but one fight going on and you know how we like fight. Meet us by da Tuck shop!


See there, thats the REAL reason why you took so long ta get ya masters!! Watchin fights!!:hammer:

See there, thats the REAL reason why you took so long ta get ya masters!! Watchin fights!!:hammer:

And I taught you was my friend! DANG, you had to sweep dat low?

I hope you ain get no mud on ya clothes.