By Cherolyn Moss

Coach George Cleare Head Coach of Team Bahamas competing at the 2016 RIO Olympics is one of the Bahamas's most notable coaches.

He has coached CARIFTA Team Bahamas and World Championships Team Bahamas. Apart from coaching, coach Cleare is one The Bahamas’s most certified coaches having one of the highest ranking coach’s certification; Cleare is also the holder of a coach’s instructor’s certification.

If that is not enough, he has also coached and recruited at the collegiate level having just recently returned to The Bahamas as an Assistant Head Coach at one of the most prominent University's in the USA.

Cleare presently coaches a number of our athletes inclusive of Lanece Clarke and Steven Gardiner. He has also coached a number of our Elite athletes inclusive of Olympian Shaunae Miller and Pedrya Seymour.

With that said, the decision to appoint George Cleare head coach of the Olympic Team Bahamas is an excellent one; a decision that is a ‘no brainer’ Cleare certainly brings a wealth and depth of knowledge to the table.

“I think that going abroad and focusing on the professional side of things and how we do things from a managerial standpoint and understanding the logistics of not just the competition but how to organize a coaching staff and also put together schemes that would be beneficial to both coaches and athletes is a plus. I think that is something that I am bringing to the table as a coach.”

Has the road to this point been an easy one for this notable coach? “It’s been a long road and one that I have learnt so much. Right now, I have a better understanding of what it is to be successful not only as a manager but also as the role of a coach and as a support staff to make the athletes experience that much better and that much more positive.”

Team Bahamas 28 members should not be difficult to coach particularly as the team comprises veterans including Chris Brown and Christine Amertil. “I think there is a good mix with some of our old veterans and new up-and-coming athletes. The older statesmen are getting themselves together and coaching the younger ones giving good advice.”

Coach Cleare said his responsibility is to motivate and inspire his team and help them to believe in themselves. “I have a vision for the team but I need each and every athlete and coach to buy into the vision; once that is done, that is half the battle. From watching the performances of the team over the past few days; it was obvious they followed their coach’s advice.

“Before they left, I told them how special they are and the great opportunity and honour it is to represent their country and to be an Olympian. It is so important to get them to see that dream, that vision.” Cleare says with the support of his coaching staff of Rudolph Ferguson, Tyrone Burrows, and Shaun Miller, he is confident Team Bahamas should do very well.

With regards to their performances, Team Bahamas may not have won many medals but they have certainly done their best, 'left it all on the track' and made not only their coach proud but the entire Bahamas!

The 2016 Olympic Games had many memories; memories which were also shared by our great Bahamian athletes. From Shaunae’s unique and now world famous gold medal performance in the 400 meters to the nail biting bronze medal performance by our men’s 4 x 400 meter team to the most surprising and outstanding performance of newcomer, Pedrya Seymour who finished 6th in the world in the 100m hurdles - Team Bahamas showed the world that not only pride but also talent runs deep in the 242!

Pedrya Seymour who set a new national record in the heats of the 100 meter hurdles breaking the national record; if that wasn’t enough talented Seymour returned the following day in the semis breaking the national record she only set the previous day! There were other memories - who could forget the fielding of the women’s 4 x 400 relay team; they may not have medalled or advanced to the finals but they certainly did not disappoint when they set a new national record!

The icing on the cake and one that also made The Bahamas proud was the spectacular, fabulous nail- biting bronze medal performance by our men’s 4 x 400 meter team!

What an accomplishment!

So Coach George Cleare, we certainly are grateful to you for your contribution and inspiration not only to The 2016 Olympic Team Bahamas but to all those athletes you continue to inspire, motivate and support.

Coach George Cleare, we salute you!