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Volume: 119 No.130, May 30, 2022

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Tax arrears rocket $260m in blow to revenue targets

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE government is owed more than $261m in “outstanding arrears” that were due for payment from three key revenue streams within the 21-month period to end-March 2022, it has been revealed.

Information culled from the Department of Inland Revenue’s (DIR) systems, and disclosed with the 2022-2023 Budget communication, show that some $95.1m which become due for payment during the 2020-2021 fiscal year from VAT, Business Licence fees

‘LINCOLN’S GUN LICENCE SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY’ FORMER Senator Rodney Moncur has called on police to revoke the gun licence for Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain.

Mr Moncur - recently appointed a consultant to the Ministry of National Security - made the appeal after Mr Bain posted a video brandishing a rifle and accusing “illegal Haitians” of burning down parts of the New Providence bush to make coal.

Mr Moncur, speaking in his capacity as the justice of the peace, told The Tribune yesterday he was “very disturbed”.

SEE PAGE THREE

and real property taxes was uncollected as at May 2022 when the Budget was prepared.

The $95.1m was broken down into $16.874m in VAT arrears; some $8.867m in past due Business Licence fees; and $69.36m in uncollected real property tax.

The main contributor to the real property tax delinquency was identified as commercial properties, mainly those owned by businesses or subject to “mixed use”, which accounted for $38.022m or 54.8 percent more than half - of the sum outstanding.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

UNIONS SPLIT AS NEW CONGRESS IS CREATED

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNION leaders yesterday announced the launch of a new union congress with Belinda Wilson named as president.

The newly formed umbrella organisation is called the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC), which comprises six unions and two associations.

They are the Airport Airline and Allied Workers (AAAWU), Bahamas Financial Services Union

(BFSU), Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), Bahamians Public Service Union (BPSU), Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU), Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), Police Staff Association and Correctional Officers Association.

BNATUC president Ms Wilson - who is also head of the BUT - said key priorities of the umbrella union includes advocating for fair and improved working conditions for its affiliates and providing recommendations for a minimum and liveable wage.

SEE PAGE TWO

BACK ON THE CATWALK AFTER a break because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bahamas Bridal Show returned yesterday in style. It has been a frustrating time for event organisers - as well as couples who had their wedding plans interrupted by the pandemic. As emcee Nicole Henderson-Smith said: “The pandemic affected many couple’s dream weddings. Many weddings were postponed since that dreaded March 2020.”

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

RETRIAL FOR ‘KILLER’ GIVEN 65 YEARS JAIL THE Court of Appeal has ordered the retrial of a man who was convicted of murder and sentenced to over 60 years in prison.

Jahmaro “Bingy” Edgecome was found guilty in April 2019 of murdering Kenyari Lightbourne.

On June 21, 2016, Lightbourne was shot multiple times while walking through his neighbourhood off Market street. He died at the scene.

Edgecombe’s trial began in November 2018 and ended April 2019, when he was convicted of the offence.

In 2020, Edgecombe was sentenced to 65 years SEE PAGE FOUR

LAWYER CLAIMS GIBSON FAMILY THREATENED INSIGHT LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

CLOSE family members of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson have received threats from some officers closely involved in investigations at the Water and Sewerage Corporation, his attorney has alleged.

Romona FarquharsonSeymour told The Tribune she was concerned about how investigations are being conducted as it

FORMER Water & Sewerage executive chairman Adrian Gibson. relates to her client, who she insisted was being “politically targeted”.

“We’re unhappy as to how things are happening,” she said. “I mean even (Friday), his mother called and said that she was threatened by police who said very negative things and that they’re going to come and arrest her. I mean it’s now becoming ridiculous.

“That’s the threat that was made to her. I’ve spoken to the senior officer who’s involved in the investigation and he says to

US SUPPLIES THE GUNS BUT IT’S OUR PEOPLE USING THEM

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE EIGHT

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

THE LAUNCH of the new congress yesterday and, below, Belinda Wilson speaking.

Photos: Leandra Rolle/Tribune Staff

UNIONS SPLIT AS NEW CONGRESS IS CREATED

from page one

“Our motto is protecting workers rights,” she said.

“We did not choose this umbrella by a mistake, but it was intentional because we pledged to cover and protect all workers in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“Our priorities are to assist affiliates with the successful completion of negotiations for new industrial agreements. We are going to monitor the labour

legislation in this country as it relates to the industrial relations act and the employment act.

“We will participate in the national tripartite process. We will provide recommendations for minimum wage and the liveable wage. We will examine the components of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the government and unions.”

She added the new congress will also focus on training and professional development and seek to

re-establish a labour college for young trade unionists.

According to Mrs Wilson, members of BNATUC are no longer affiliated with other umbrella union bodies.

This comes after National Congress of Trades Union’s acting president, Dwayne Woods told Tribune Business last week that BCAWU had advised in a letter its intentions to break away from the NCTU “effectively immediately.”

“Every one union you see here was a part of another

congress (but) as of today, we are no longer affiliated with any other congress other than the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress,” said Mrs Wilson.

Asked if the creation of the new congress sowed disunity among the umbrella unions, Mrs WIlson said: “Out of adversity, great things happen and so I believe today that The Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress is a great thing.”

She also commented on labour relations in the country, saying there is still much work to be done to improve working conditions.

“Labour relations still has a lot of work to do,” she added. “We see that the new government has appointed some labour consultants, which in our view it means they are starting the process to say ‘we have provided individuals for you to communicate with’, so that’s a start, but, again, we have to ensure that whatever issues that are brought to the table are not just heard, but they’re acted upon and that they are resolved.”

“I think labour issues linger too long and we don’t know if it’s a political will to correct the things that we highlight that’s a problem

or to really resolve it so we have to ensure that they put action behind whatever it is that they’ve spoken be it in the House of Assembly or on another platform.”

Other executive board members of the BNATUC include Kimsley Ferguson, first vice president; Wesley Ferguson, second vice president; Susan Palmer, third vice president, and Latoya Cartwright, fourth vice

president.

Theresa Mortimer is the umbrella union’s secretary general, while Sheila Burrows has been named as assistant secretary general.

Other members include Marisha Bullard, Cedricka Rolle, Narissa King and Virgil Bowe.

They were all installed in their posts during a brief ceremony at the BPSU hall yesterday.

POLICE INVESTIGATE EXUMA DROWNING DETECTIVES on Exuma are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected drowning of an American man on Friday.

According to reports, shortly before 11am, police

on Exuma were informed that an adult male was brought unresponsive into a local marina from a diving expedition.

Officers were dispatched and on their arrival at the docking site, they were

directed to a vessel where the man’s body was. The victim was examined by the local medical doctor and pronounced dead.

Initial investigations indicate that sometime around 9am a party of ten had gone on a diving expedition. A short time later, while at the dive site in the area of Rolleville, Exuma, the expedition began their goal of reaching a specified depth.

During the dive, when the party arrived at an initial designated depth, one of the instructors motioned to the divers for a response.

However, the instructor became concerned about one diver due to not receiving the appropriate signal from him. The instructor went to the man and discovered that he was not fully coherent.

Instructions were then signalled for all the divers to resurface. Once at the surface the man was placed aboard the vessel where he collapsed. A decision was made to return to shore.

The coroner was apprised of the initial facts in this matter. Police will await an official identification by a next of kin to confirm the victim’s identity and an autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death. This matter remains under active investigation.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 3

Lawyer claims Gibson family threatened from page one me that he knows nothing about that and he will certainly speak to the officer that would’ve made these threats to Mr Gibson’s mother (Friday), but it’s just becoming nasty and that’s why we say that it’s certainly political and that he’s being targeted.”

However, when contacted yesterday, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said he was unaware of the claims and urged the complainant to contact the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s complaint unit.

“I don’t know anything about it,” he said. “We run a professional organisation.

If they have a complaint, they should go to the complaint unit.”

The former WSC executive chairman was taken into custody and questioned by police for some seven hours on Thursday, according to his attorney.

While in custody, Mr Gibson was also served a search warrant for his home.

This comes after police allegedly took several of Mr Gibson’s rental vehicles into custody on Long Island earlier this month.

‘Lincoln’s gun licence should be taken away’ from page one “What he is doing is an attempt to blame Haitian nationals and people of Haitian decent, constitutes Nazism. It’s a very dangerous thing he’s doing and someone needs to have a clear talk with him.

“In fact, his propaganda video of shooting… is (a) dangerous message. I’m very disturbed and the last thing I said on my show, in Haitian Creole, is I invited those people that he says is in that area to really go into hiding. It is dangerous… and the government should confiscate his licence for that gun just for that game that he ran, real or imaginary but it is danger and if we don’t be careful we’re going to see in The Bahamas his

practice of blaming the Haitians.

“It is going to be like what the Germans did to the Jews, so he is on the border. I’m not going to call him Nazi… He is bordering Nazism.”

The talk show host said “all of a sudden” Haitian nationals and people of Haitian descent, who Mr Moncur noted number in the thousands, are being blamed.

“If he finds evidence of any infringement of the law and he has a responsibility to report it to the authorities, but for him to do that video propaganda of that powerful weapon its dangerous. It’s a very dangerous thing he’s doing and I’m very disappointed on him because I know him very well. I really want his gun confiscated.”

“They searched (his home) and that was it and then within a few minutes, they took him back to the police station and he was released pending further investigation,” the attorney added.

However, the next day, Mrs Farquharson-Seymour claimed an officer contacted Mr Gibson’s mother and informed her that they also wanted to search her home.

The situation has left Mr Gibson’s mother upset, she said.

She said: “She has no involvement (with WSC) and so they picked up

the phone and called his mother and spoke along the lines of searching her home and I think she said the officer said to her ‘oh, you sell drugs. We believe you sell drugs. We’re coming to arrest you.’

“This woman is over 60-years-old so she said ‘what are you talking about’ and it’s just ridiculous. She is very upset by it and I had to call (a) Superintendent...who’s a part of the investigation to say what is this that this Inspector would call Mr Gibson’s mother and make such threats to her She told him that ‘I have

nothing to hide. I don’t know what you’re talking about, it’ so it’s just nasty,” Mrs Farquharson-Seymour continued.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has previously dismissed accusations that his administration is on a political witch hunt regarding WSC. When pressed on the issue again Friday, Mr Davis refused to comment on the investigations, only to say the matter was “in the hands of police”.

“Let’s just say this, I have nothing to say about that,” Mr Davis told reporters Friday. “The

matter is in the hands of police and whatever they decide, it’s in their hands and I have no observations to make about it at this time.”

The exact details of the investigation at WSC are unclear but an audit into the corporation –– which was leaked last month –– allegedly found red flags in the operations of the institution.

The investigation, according to the report, is part of a probe into the issuance of contracts and the management of the corporation under the Minnis administration.

LINCOLN Bain brandishing a gun during the video he recorded and, below left, firing it in a frame from the video.

PAGE 4, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Officials open new Pinecrest subdivision

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration officially opened the new Pinecrest subdivision on Friday, a move officials said was in keeping with the government’s promise to provide more affordable homes to Bahamians.

Among those present at Friday’s opening ceremony was Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis; Minister of Housing and Transport, Jobeth Coleby-Davis and Works and Utilities Minister, Alfred Sears, among others.

During the event, officials also presented three families with keys to their new homes in the subdivision.

“On January 28, 2022, the ministry of transport and housing participated in a ground breaking ceremony with Arawak homes limited for Pinecrest,” Mrs ColebyDavis said at Friday’s opening ceremony. “Today, now four months later from the groundbreaking, we gather to mark the presentation of three of the first keys to the homeowners in Pinecrest.

“The timeline for the quick delivery of the homes in Pinecrest should come as no surprise since the Davisled administration is intent on meeting the needs of Bahamians via its affordable housing initiative. In our blue print for change, we promised to empower Bahamians by making our economy work for all Bahamians.”

She said the housing project – which is being constructed in phases - is a private public partnership between the government and Arawak’s Home Limited.

Some 47 homes are expected to be built in the

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at the ceremony on Friday to mark the opening of the Pinecrest subdivision. first phase of the development, according to Mrs Coleby-Davis.

Each home will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, she added.

The price tag for the homes starts at $169,000.

“Homeownership is one of the basic forms of human empowerment and it allows for the creation of a sense of community,” she said.

“These homes will serve as a place for family, gatherings and the yard space will provide for a space for children to play and neighbours will be able to come together and interact as our families were able to do

many, many years ago.”

While giving keynote remarks, Prime Minister Davis praised the housing initiative, which, he said, was another example of the government demonstrating its commitment to help Bahamians.

He said the need for affordable housing in the country has “never been greater” given the devastating impacts of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.

“With Hurricane Dorian, COVID lockdowns and a global inflation crisis, it’s been hard for a lot of families to weather these storms. One after another

but we are coming back.

We might get locked down every once in a while, but you can count on us to get back up again,” the prime minister said.

Mr Davis also pointed to several relief measures announced recently by his administration to first time homeowners.

“Currently, concessions are available for persons to purchase a home for the first time. We are expanding these concessions so that people who purchase a home or who purchase land to construct their first home or purchase a house and renovate it to be their

first home will receive the same level of concessions,” he added.

“We are also increasing the level of exemption for first home buyers.. and we are reducing VAT on property transfers below $1m. in addition, we are reducing the duty of building supplies.”

He also said that his government was one of action, adding “these would be the first homes that would’ve been built and offered to the Bahamian people in more than four years.”

At yesterday’s ceremony, the new homeowners all expressed joy

after receiving the keys to their homes.

One of them was 18-yearold, Shante Taylor.

“I feel excited,” she told reporters Friday. “Growing up, my mom always instilled in us that having your own stuff sets you apart from everyone else … and my mom had her first home at 19. I told her that I was going to beat her and I did so it was a goal that I wanted for a very long time.

“It’s all thanks to God and my mom. Like I’ve been saying all day, she’s my biggest motivator,” she added.

RETRIAL FOR ‘KILLER’ GIVEN 65 YEARS JAIL from page one

behind bars.

The same year, he filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence, but his appeal was said to have been filed too late.

As a result, he later filed seven amended grounds of appeal in 2021 when he argued that

“a material irregularity occurred during the trial when the learned trial judge misdirected the jury on how the statement of Calderon Brown should be treated during the summing Up.” Further to this he argued that “inadmissible evidence was wrongly admitted during trial” and “the verdict could

not be supported by the evidence”.

Edgecombe also contended that the sentence passed was “based on a wrong principle of law” and “unduly harsh and excessive”.

Justices Sir Michael Barnett, John Isaacs and Carolita Bethel granted his appeal and remitted the case back to the Supreme

Court for a retrial to be heard “on the earliest practicable date”.

“We are satisfied that the appellant’s ground one has merit and that the consequence of this must vitiate the trial and lead us to conclude that his conviction cannot stand,” the judgment said.

“We regard Mr Collie’s concession as rightly

made and that the judge’s directions do amount to a misdirection. Hence, ground one of the appeal has merit and augurs well for the success of the appeal. We are called upon to perform a balancing exercise by placing onto one side of the scale those matters that argue for an order for a retrial and on the other side,

those matters that argue for no order for a retrial to be made. We are satisfied that when all of the factors are weighed, the scale tips toward a retrial as it is in the interest of justice that the guilt or innocence of the appellant be ventilated in a criminal trial unburdened by any technical blunders.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 5

OFFICERS during the ceremony in Grand Bahama.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Police passing out parade held in Grand Bahama

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force Training College made history hosting a Passing Out for 200 new recruits – the largest ever to complete police training at one time on Grand Bahama.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Friday for four Squads – A & F Squads 2022 and F & G Squads 2021, which also included 13 recruits from the Turks & Caicos Island.

Acting Minister of National Security Jomo Campbell attended and brought remarks on behalf of the Minister Wayne Munroe who was unable to attend. Also bringing remarks were Police Commissioner Paul Rolle and Trevor Botting Commissioner of Police from the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The RBPF is currently experiencing a shortage of Constables. The Turks & Caicos Police is also recruiting “quite hard” to also increase their numbers.

According to Acting Minister Campbell, government realised a deficit of 900 constables since coming to office.

He stressed that recruiting more officers is critical to create safer communities throughout The Bahamas.

“Our government remains committed to protecting all citizens and residents, simultaneously meeting their needs by providing solutions to

safety and security. Our approach to national security is aggressive to address the scourge of crime and illegal activities that plague various areas of our society. Our vision is to extend our efforts beyond punitive measures and seek a more fair and equitable society for all citizens, residents, and visitors alike,” he said.

Commissioner Paul Rolle said the training of up to 200 officers at one time is very significant for the RBPF. “This is historical as this is the first time ever, we are having four squads graduating in Grand Bahama and also training police officers from Nassau,” he stated.

Mr Rolle said the training provided officers also encompassed information, techniques, and strategies to tackle the complexities of the era that we are living in.

The recruits were trained in police sciences, firefighting, equipment operation, drill and deportment, social sciences, and were also provided practical hands-on instruction.

The commissioner told the recruits they have joined a noble organisation that has a rich legacy stemming from March of 1840 – about 182 years of excellence in service. He reminded them of sworn oath to serve the country and that must put their lives in the service of others.

He said that priority one of his Policing Plan is Transformational Training as the Royal Bahamas Police Force is a learning organisation.

“As a proponent of continued self-development and training, I urge you to take full advantage of what you learnt in the training school and be the best that you can be. I admonish you to never become complacent but seek to deliver service as a resourceful and professional police officer.

“I have no doubt that the Police Training College has competently prepared you for your professional life outside these walls. Beyond your initial training, keep the Forces’ guiding philosophy at heart and you can’t go wrong,” he stressed.

Commissioner Rolle also stated that they must serve the public with care, respect, and trust. “You must do your utmost to retain public trust and you must perform your duties in a manner which respects individual human rights, and which reflects fairness, sensitivity and compassion,” he said.

During a side interview with reporters, Mr Rolle indicated that they selected 100 from among nearly 2,000 applicants that were seeking to enlist in the Force.

“Last year we had advertised, and we had 1,800 applied to be enlisted. He said that they were able to find a good mix, including some with academic degrees, both Bachelor and Masters, as well as BGCSEs, and others who sat the police exam. “We train them and hope we recruit the best,” he said.

Commissioner Botting

NO MONKEYPOX CASES RECORDED IN THE BAHAMAS THE Ministry of Health and Wellness has assured the public there are no confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the country.

In a press release posted on their Facebook page yesterday, the ministry noted the National Disease Surveillance Unit is monitoring an individual who arrived in The Bahamas last weekend with a travel history of locations where outbreaks have occurred.

“That individual has been placed in isolation and samples have been obtained for processing. The male who is in mid-30s has had significant resolution of his signs and symptoms. His only known contact is his wife, who is not showing any signs of Monkeypox,” the release said.

“The ministry has issued an Epo Alert which has been sent to physicians across the country to continue surveillance for any persons who may present with signs and symptoms of Monkeypox.”

The release indicated symptoms of Monkeypox include skin rash, fever, headache, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Symptoms can last for two to four weeks.

“The death rate associated with the disease is low ranging between three to six percent of persons infected. Any person who feels that he/she has these symptoms are asked to practice health and safety protocols (physical distancing, wearing of face masks and hand sanitisation) and contact their primary care

physician or nearest public health clinic for evaluation at the earliest opportunity.

“To date, the WHO has confirmed that nearly 200 cases of Monkeypox has been reported in more than 20 countries worldwide. The disease is being described as ‘containable’ by the World Health Organisation.”

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said that this is their second group of recruits that have been sent for training in Grand Bahama.

He said he is very pleased by the standard of training provided to their 13 recruits by the RBPF. “The first group has grown strength to strength on the streets of T&C and I have no doubt that this (second) group will do the same,” he said.

“I am eternally grateful to the Commissioner and his team. We send our young men and women away from home for five months and it is a big deal for them to be away from their families, but they are so well trained and so well cared for,” he said.

Mr Botting said the relationship between the two police forces is echoing the relationship from

government to government.

He explained that there are number of shared threats across the region that they are collaborating with the Defense Force and Marine Branches. “So, I just now this collaborative arrangement will give our countries a boost,” he stated.

Mr Botting, who has 40 years of policing, said today’s event is a special one.

He said they will continue send more recruits to the Bahamas for training.

According to the TCI Commissioner, their police force has just under 400 officers. “That is not enough even though we are a much smaller island,” he said, adding that they expecting to increase their numbers by 25 percent.

“We are recruiting quite

hard now, he said. We also recruiting in the marine branch because we are aware of threats, we face in this region concerning trafficking and smuggling – together we are definitely stronger,” he said.

Commissioner Rolle thanked Mr Botting for entrusting his recruits to his team. He further noted that the Bahamas is hosting the Association of Urban Commissioner of Police at the Baha Mar Resort starting today. He said Commissioner Botting will also joining him in New Providence.

“I will be hosting that, and all Commissioners will be joining us, including persons from several agencies in the US, and the United Arab Emirate who have committed to being there,” he said.

PAGE 6, Monday, May 30, 2022

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There may be trouble ahead BEFORE the election, much was made of a photograph provided by the Progressive Liberal Party of leader Philip “Brave” Davis being embraced by union leaders.

A memorandum of understanding was reportedly signed with the umbrella unions, the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas and Trade Union Congress, committing the PLP to resolving long-standing issues if they won office.

It’s not looking quite so rosy now.

A new union congress was launched yesterday, with teaching union chief Belinda Wilson as its leader. It hasn’t even been a year in office and already there is a union split, it seems.

The new organisation, the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress includes six unions and two associations, covering airport workers, financial services staff, hotel employees, public service and taxi cab members, teachers, police and prison officers.

This follows on the heels of last week’s Budget in which the government put forward plans for changes to teacher salaries only to be bluntly told no by the union.

Ms Wilson said of that memorandum of understanding that the new congress would examine its components, and that the new congress would be making its own recommendations on the minimum wage and the liveable wage.

Asked about disunity among umbrella unions, she said: “Out of adversity, great things happen.”

Read into the situation what you will, but it seems clear that a number of unions feel unsatisfied with how things are going. Ms Wilson spoke to it herself by saying that “labour issues linger too long”, while the Minister of State for the Public Service, Pia Glover-Rolle, lashed out at the Bahamas Public Service Union last week, calling comments from the union “ungrateful”.

Where does this leave us? With some unions, perhaps, back to square one, before that memorandum was signed.

With a bunch of restless unions,

though, and an administration that seems to expect gratitude, it seems clear there may be trouble ahead.

If things stay on this course and we end up with industrial action, then that photograph of Mr Davis being embraced will seem a very long time ago indeed.

Budget numbers After last week’s Budget, we questioned in this column whether the numbers would add up – and wrote that there would be a closer look as details were released.

Well, we were of course far from the only ones taking that closer look – and some of those figures are starting to look a little optimistic.

One area of concern is that the government is owed more than $261m in “outstanding arrears” due for payment in three key areas – VAT, business licence fees and real property tax.

Of that sum, $95.1m was due for payment in the 2021-22 fiscal year. When it comes to real property tax, the biggest share of that was from commercial properties.

The financial secretary, Simon Wilson, said the government aims to “as much as possible ensure every dollar is collected” – but there will always be some level of default in these situations.

Absolutely get the money from those who won’t pay, but there will be some who can’t pay.

Last week, credit rating agency Moody’s warned of “over-optimistic revenue projections” in the absence of a wider tax base, and of difficulty in controlling government spending. The Budget, after all, saw costs go up for state-owned enterprises.

Meanwhile, the government is projecting a $1bn increase in revenue over the next three years – with no new tax measures to get them there.

Miss those targets and it’ll come down to cutting costs or raising revenue by other means. Either option will be unappetising.

What is our plan?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas is still grappling with COVID and its aftermath. People are still driving in vehicles alone with windows up or walking alone on the street wearing masks.

Skin drying and irritating hand sanitisers and temperature checks are still done at many groceries stores, but people were mixing it up at a governmentapproved Carnival event just days ago.

There are talks about the rapidity of the spread

of Monkeypox internationally. I believe one case was recently found in Florida and yet I have heard nothing from the Ministry of Health about this potential threat to the livelihoods of Bahamians.

Successive Bahamian governments have a history of being reactive rather than being proactive when addressing problems.

It seems the past two years have taught us nothing. It would be wonderful if the government unequivocally states its position on COVID, the current less

virulent strain and mask wearing.

Will masks be mandatory or left to personal discretion unless Carnivalling?

Will the government articulate a sensible plan to advise the public of its position and intentions regarding Monkeypox, or do we need to have cases here first before they talk about it? Inquiring minds want to know!

JB Nassau, May 23, 2022.

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A GIRL dances as she attends a concert of an orchestra during Kyiv Day celebrations in Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday. Ukraine’s capital celebrates the anniversary of its foundation every last Sunday of May. Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Loyalty to Minnis is fault line for FNM EDITOR, The Tribune.

AT THE peak of the Black Lives Matter debate in the US in 2021, the noted African American evangelical Voddie Baucham penned Fault Lines, which is a scathing critique of Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality and Marxism and their subtle encroachment into the evangelical church, most notably the Southern Baptist Convention.

Baucham would use the San Andreas Fault as a metaphor for a potential massive ideological rift between evangelicals over the issue of social justice and biblical justice, an issue that prominent Pastor John MacArthur opined is a serious threat to the gospel. I would like to use Baucham’s metaphor for what I currently see occurring within the Opposition Free National Movement (FNM). No one is saying it, but it seems to me that former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is currently running his own opposition party. His politicking seems to not be aligned with the official Opposition.

There was a photo of an FNM press conference featuring FNM Leader Michael Pintard and other top executives of the party subsequent to an event held to determine the cause of the FNM’s election defeat.

I stand to be corrected, but I didn’t see Minnis in the photo. Minnis continues to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net keep a constant presence in the mainstream media and on Facebook, so much so that Progressive Liberal Party supporters have jokingly referred to him as the real FNM leader. Pintard, on the other hand, is said to be keeping the seat warm until Minnis decides to make his move on the leadership post. I am not stating that there is any truth to these political assertions.

The optics of Minnis’ latest moves, however, challenges my scepticism regarding his motives. If Minnis continues along this apparent path of upstaging Pintard and running his very own FNM within the FNM, it will inevitably lead to a major rift within the official Opposition, much like what Baucham has forecasted for the Southern Baptist Convention.

While Minnis remains an unpopular and polarizing figure on the political landscape, he still has thousands of sympathizers within the FNM, many of whom point to external factors, such as COVID-19 and Hurricanes Irma and Dorian, which ultimately led to the demise of his administration. They are arguing that the Davis administration is the beneficiary of all the hard work done by Minnis, who navigated the country through the worst of the pandemic.

It is this base of FNM supporters or Minnisites that finds Minnis appealing -- more appealing than Pintard. The current awkward situation within the FNM is similar to what Tommy Turnquest had to deal with with former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. There was always that lingering thought that Ingraham would make a comeback, despite his talk about serving only two terms.

Turnquest’s disadvantage back then was that he failed to win his seat in the 2002 general election.

Pintard, on the other hand, was able to hold on to Marco City in convincing fashion, notwithstanding the unpopularity of the FNM. Him being a member of Parliament gives him better odds of staving off a potential Minnis comeback. Having said that, Minnis’ presence within the FNM can legitimately be viewed as a fault line that threatens to split the party in half before 2026.

The Tswana people have a proverb that says that two bulls cannot live in the same kraal. Either Minnis has to submit to Pintard or he will have to be reined in. It’s coming to the point where the FNM executive will have to formally address this issue before it explodes in their face.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

May 19, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 7

US diplomat warns over Chinese technology LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

TURKISH MAN ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT A TURKISH man has been accused of indecently assaulting an American teenager while she was on vacation with her family in The Bahamas last week.

His co-worker, who is also from Turkey, has been accused of assisting him with carrying out the crime.

Police arrested 27-yearold Yakup Yondem and 21-year-old Mustafa Isik after they were accused of committing sexual offences against a 13-year-old American girl on May 22.

Yondem is accused of indecently assaulting the minor, while police allege that Isik aided and abetted him in committing the offence.

Both men denied the allegations through their interpreter before

Magistrate Kendra Kelly on Friday.

When the question of bail was brought up, the crown prosecutor objected to the men’s release, arguing they posed as a potential flight risk.

However, their attorney, Raymond Rolle told the court his clients were employed by a construction company contracted to build the new US embassy building.

He said the men could not leave the country until construction work was completed as part of their contractual agreement.

He also revealed one of the accused’s passports was being held by embassy officials for visa application purposes.

A spokesperson for the

construction company confirmed this during Friday’s proceedings.

He said while the men will remain as employees, they will not be allowed to work on the building and will be closely monitored.

As a result, both men were granted $9,000 bail with one or two sureties.

They were also ordered to be outfitted with ankle monitoring devices with geographic locations limited to New Providence.

The men must also surrender their travel documents and report to the Central Police Station once a week.

Magistrate Kelly warned failure to comply with these conditions would result in their bail being revoked.

The men will return to court on July 6.

TWO HELD OVER HARBOUR ISLAND ASSAULT ON US MAN TWO men are expected to be arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in Nassau today in connection with an alleged assault against an American on Harbour Island.

Officer-in-charge of Eleuthera Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles told The Tribune yesterday the victim had been transported to Nassau for medical attention and was in a stable condition.

“Shortly after 1:30am

on Monday past we received information that a man had been taken to the local clinic in Harbour Island and he was suffering from some injuries,” she said.

“Officers were dispatched to that location and they were able to speak to a witness or someone who had accompanied the man to the hospital who said that they were at a local nightclub at Harbour Island when they got into an altercation with

some native men. Two of the men assaulted his friend before getting into a golf cart and driving away.

“The victim has been transported to Nassau for further medical attention.

Up to my last checking in on Friday, he was in stable condition. We were able to take two men into custody in connection with this incident and they will be arraigned before Magistrate’s Court in Nassau on Monday.”

FOUR ACCUSED OVER FIREARM

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOUR men were arrested for possession of illegal firearm and ammunition discovered at a residence in Freeport.

Shortly before 5pm on Friday, a team of officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, acting on intelligence, executed

a search warrant at the residence situated on Mano-War Circle.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle said when officers arrived two males fled the property but were caught by officers some distance away and returned to the residence where a search was conducted in their presence.

ASP Rolle said officers

discovered a white blanket in an eastern bedroom closet where they found a black FNH Five Seven pistol with its serial number erased along with a magazine that contained (21) 5.62 live rounds of ammunition.

Four adult males were arrested and taken into police custody.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

POLICE INVESTIGATE RAPE CLAIM GRAND Bahamas police are investigating an alleged rape carried out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Shortly before 2am, the Police Control Room received a report of

a woman being sexually assaulted at a residence in the South Bahamia area.

Uniform and plainclothes officers were dispatched to investigate.

Initial reports

revealed the woman was awakened by two dark men who robbed her of $520 and had sexual intercourse with her against her will.

This incident is under active investigation.

UNITED States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols has said The Bahamas must be cautious of discounted products or technologies being offered by China “that do not safeguard people’s personal data”.

The high-ranking US State Department official was asked whether the Biden administration was concerned about growing China influence in The Bahamas during a recent press conference.

Mr Nichols visited The Bahamas for two days last week as a part of his Caribbean tour to discuss issues of concern in the region.

“Our policy is that we’re not asking countries to choose between the United States and the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” Mr Nichols said. “What we hope for is the countries in our region to be cognizant of what’s on offer and to understand the benefits and drawbacks of the trading partners with which it engages.

“The PRC is an important commercial partner

for many countries in our hemisphere, including the United States but we also have to have our eyes open, in particular, when they’re offering up perhaps discounted products or technologies that do not safeguard people’s personal data and I am confident that The Bahamas, as a democratic country, understands those risks and when we have concerns, we can address them in a friendly manner and respectful manner, but this is something that we do with all countries and The Bahamas is a close ally and a nation that we have great confidence in.”

In recent years, several US officials have raised concerns about China’s influence in the country.

Just last year, US General Glen VanHerck warned China is attempting to use influence in The Bahamas by offering large-scale economic investments and material support for infrastructure projects.

The US Air Force commander for the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defence Command also said China continues to pursue “an aggressive geopolitical strategy” that

sought to undermine US influence around the globe.

He made the remarks while testifying before the US Senate Armed Services committee on March 16, 2021.

Responding to the claims last April, the Chinese Embassy in Nassau denied any intention by its government to pursue geopolitical advantage in the region.

Chinese officials also said it was disappointed The Bahamas’ relationship with China was being cast in a negative light.

“The Caribbean region should not become an arena for major power competition, and regional countries should not be forced into a position of having to take sides,” an embassy spokesman said at the time.

“The cooperation between China and Caribbean countries is grounded on mutual benefit and mutual needs. The relevant investment and cooperation by Chinese companies were carried out on the basis of consultations on an equal footing and consistent with commercial principles and local laws and regulations. The projects China has participated in have played a positive role in improving livelihoods and creating jobs for the local people.”

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

US supplies the guns but it’s our people who won’t stop using them

By MALCOLM STRACHAN THE most obvious thing in the world to say this week is that America has a gun problem.

The mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, in which an 18-year-old killed 19 children and two teachers – with guns he legally owned - has horrified the world. Again.

So commonplace are these mass shootings now that the victims of the previous one, in Buffalo, New York, still hadn’t all been buried before the bullets started flying in Uvalde.

As the world asks why won’t the US do anything about its gun problem, a lot of US politicians seem to be running away from the question – literally in the case of Senator Ted Cruz, who walked away from a British interviewer asking why is it that these mass shootings only happen in America.

The list of excuses in the wake of the latest shooting as people have avoided the issue of gun control have included the poor response of police officers, mental health issues, the suggestion of arming teachers and even blaming school doors. Other nations, some US politicians might be shocked to learn, also have doors on their schools and it turns out they don’t have mass shootings because guns are not so readily available.

PRESIDENT Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit a memorial at Robb Elementary School to pay their respects to the victims of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, yesterday.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP As for the police, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety talked about having to “do better next time”.

Next time. Not even an attempt to avoid it, just an acceptance that there will be a next time. And a time after that. And a time after that.

While we mourn with parents and family members of victims, it is increasingly hard to feel

sympathy for America as a nation. Because collectively the nation could choose to do something about this, and it doesn’t.

We’re not just looking at this as outside observers. The gun culture of the United States doesn’t end at its border.

Throughout the Caribbean, a significant amount of the guns that find their way to our streets come from within the United

States.

A report on Haiti said the US has been the largest supplier of legal and illegal arms there since the 1980s. The New York Times reported that in Jamaica, 71 percent of weapons came from the United States.

A report this month by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research noted there is evidence of a barter trade between Jamaica and Haiti for guns in exchange for drugs, with fishermen acting as middlemen. The Bahamas has intercepted some of these groups, with boats filled with both migrants and firearms.

On our streets, guns are used in the majority of murders. A study in 2016 by the Inter-American Development Bank on Crime and Violence in The Bahamas showed that firearms accounted for the largest proportion of murders between 2010 and 2013, a rate of 76.5 percent.

How does that compare globally? Well, according to the Igarapé Institute, a research group, worldwide around 32 percent of homicides are committed with firearms. We’re more than double that rate.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise. We see it on a regular basis with the reports of murders and shootings in the media. We hear it, especially at night when distant – or not-so-distant – shots can be heard echoing across from wherever the latest gunman has opened fire on his target.

We have no manufacturing plants making guns here – where do we think the weapons are coming from?

It’s not rocket science to say that availability of guns makes it more likely that a gun will be used. In a robbery, in a murder attempt, even just in dumb foolishness. We’ve seen our own share of stories where innocent bystanders have been caught by a stray bullet too.

In terms of that availability, America is swamped by guns. It is estimated that with a population in 2017 of 326,474,000 there were about 393,347,000 guns in the US, the vast majority of them unregistered. That’s about 1.2 guns for every person in the country – and there have been suggestions that number has increased since.

The same survey that held that estimate has The Bahamas listed at 33 in the world for civilianheld firearms, with about 74,000 guns compared with a population of 397,000, or about one gun for every five people – again, with the majority unregistered.

So when we look across the water at the horror of mass shooting after mass shooting in the US, and we hear the gunshots on our own streets, it’s clear to see it’s all part of the same problem.

As long as there is a supply of guns that can be relatively easily smuggled into our island chain, there

will be criminals who will be wanting to use them.

How seriously are we taking it? Well, judging by the past few days, not seriously at all. Indeed, the man who took the lead with the Coalition of Independents at the last election, Lincoln Bain, a man who would have become Prime Minister if voters had fallen for the impossible promises offered in that group’s policy proposals, broadcast a video of himself in which he fired gunshots in the air while shouting a warning to Haitians.

Throughout the video, he brandished what he later said was a semi-automatic shotgun for which he says he has a licence, without a hint of any discipline where he is pointing it. At several points in the video as he is walking, it is pointed straight at the person recording the video.

Then, as he fired shots in the air, he shouted “Haitian daddy, don’t come back,” then added: “You hear me? Don’t come back.

And we serious with that.

Don’t come back. We’ve had enough. We’ve had enough.”

He then fired several more shots in the air.

Subsequently, he has said he was not threatening anyone as he shouted “Haitian daddy, don’t come back… we’ve had enough” while firing bullets into the air. He also said it’s a normal hunting area, without saying what he was hunting while shouting about Haitians and opening fire.

So how seriously are we taking guns in our community when a would-be leader of the nation is streaming himself with a gun just a week after a global outcry after the latest mass shooting in the US? The US gun problem is also part of our gun problem. So as the question is asked what will the US do, we should look in the mirror. What are we going to do?

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022 PAGE 9

This new horizon WELL-KNOWN for its beautiful beaches and world-class museums, Niteroi is a city in the southeast region of Brazil, facing Rio de Janeiro and just across from Guanabara Bay. It is also the birthplace of one of my patients, who like so many others, has had to overcome more than her fair share of challenges.

With panoramic stunning sunrises in a kaleidoscope of colours, this was the setting into which my patient, hereafter referred to as Eliza, was born in 1935 and this is her story.

Eliza’s father was of German descent but moved to Brazil after the First World War. He eventually settled into the community and even in childhood, her father understood the importance of hard work. He and his wife had two daughters, Eliza being the youngest, and he taught them to respect their mother, to be honest and to appreciate the value of a dollar. But when Eliza was just twoyears-old, her father died unexpectedly from pancreatic cancer. Alone and afraid, her mother had to raise two children by herself during one of the most difficult times of her life.

His absence left a gaping hole in all of their lives but they began to adjust and as things began to feel normal again, the unimaginable happened. Eliza’s mother became sick and died from an untreated blood infection. Eliza was six years old and the Second World War had just begun.

Now orphans, Eliza and her sister remained in Brazil but were sent to live with her maternal grandmother and uncle. Young and fragile from the loss of both her parents, Eliza felt the palpable hatred that her uncle had for both her and her sister. Horribly mean to both girls and short-tempered, he never explained why he felt the way he did and Eliza now says she can only assume its behaviour stemmed from an underlying resentment towards their deceased mother.

Eliza missed her parents and for years felt safe and loved by only one person in the world, her grandmother.

That was until she met the man she would eventually marry.

Eliza’s husband, who was in the army at that time, was of Scottish descent and he pursued her romantically for years. They were deeply in love and married at the age of 25 but her motherin-law had already arranged for her son to marry the daughter of her close friend and she blamed Eliza for ruining that opportunity.

Since then, Eliza referred to her mother-in-law as a wicked witch who put a curse on her and she’s blamed her for every medical illness that she’s had to endure since then.

Before she got married, she had lunch with her future in-laws and the next day noticed that the skin all over her face and body had turned a faint yellow.

She went to the doctor, and routine blood work revealed that she had liver inflammation secondary to Hepatitis A, which is highly contagious and transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water. Fortunately, her symptoms resolved without any medical intervention and without any long-term liver damage.

Her suspicions of voodoo were further magnified when, not long after her wedding, she began to experience an intense and unrelenting pain in her right lower abdomen. She was diagnosed with kidney stones that had blocked her urethra ducts and she had to undergo surgery to save her life. Her kidney stones were removed and, despite that, she had recurrent stones within four months of her surgery that was as painful and debilitating as her first occurrence. A second surgery was performed to alleviate her symptoms.

Unfortunately, this led to a significant decrease in her kidney function.

By 1988, Brazil had become a hotbed of criminal activity. Organised crime

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

THE CITY of Niteroi in Brazil.

was at its peak and drug trafficking, violence and corruption were rampant throughout the country.

When the daughter of one of her husband’s co-workers was kidnapped and held for ransom, Eliza and her husband made the decision to relocate to Canada for their safety. She left behind the only home she’d ever known, the only horizon that had been a steadying place of peace and a palliative against the pain. But, Eliza worked assiduously to make Canada a comfortable home for their family.

Things were hard but as the years passed, Canada began to feel like home and she’s now lived there for 30 years. During that time, the family grew to include two daughters and one son. For a long time, they were truly happy.

In 1997, her sister became very ill and died from liver failure. During that time, Eliza noticed tingling around her mouth so she went to the doctor and was diagnosed with diabetes. As always, her husband was by her side boundlessly offering his love and support. Suffering from heart issues himself, Eliza’s husband was deeply empathetic to her health problems and, not long after moving to Canada, he underwent a quadruple bypass procedure to relieve the blockages in all four of the arteries that fed into his heart. But it wasn’t until years later when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a form of blood cancer, that his health took a dramatic turn for the worse.

The cancer was aggressive and quickly spread throughout his entire body. No organ was left unscathed. He lost weight, experienced nosebleeds, shortness of breath and he was at all times so tired that he could barely stand.

Even if he could, the pain coursing throughout his body was so severe that it destroyed any inclination to ambulate. He died within six months of his diagnosis. While in her garage and going through many of the items that they’d accumulated during the course of their marriage, Eliza lost her balance, fell and smashed her head against the concrete flooring. The resultant gash in her head was so deep that she required multiple stitches. At the hospital, she began to cry as she realised that for the first time in 53 years, her husband wasn’t there to hold her hand during a health crisis.

Losing her sister and then her husband were lifealtering. Eliza no longer has anyone alive to reminisce with about her childhood and no one who remembers that panoramic view or the agony of being orphaned so young. The sense of ageing and loss felt worse in the cold winter months and after 30 years, the Canadian horizon began to lose its sparkle. The emotions coupled with another knee surgery that left her less able to move around freely propelled Eliza, now in her late 80s, to seek yet another horizon. She now spends

several months a year in the sun-filled Bahamas.

Over the years, what’s she learned is that she has an inner strength that gives her the ability to

survive even the worst of circumstances. Now while in The Bahamas, every day, with her entire memory still intact and in a ritual of self-reflection,

she looks out of her glass door, gazing into yet another skyline. The red, orange sun as it sweeps across the turquoise ocean and the long stretch of

pristine sand as the waves slowly roll into shore, has given Eliza a calmness she never knew she lost. As she traverses through 87 years of memories, Eliza remains unapologetically proud of every decision that she’s made, always still hopelessly missing her grandmother, parents, husband and sister and grateful to be surrounded by the children who love her unconditionally. And in this, the final chapter of her life, this new Bahamian horizon reminds her a lot of her childhood running along the pebble streets of Niteroi, smiling and waving at all her neighbours and happily enjoying dinner with her family.

This is the KDK report.

• Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

One sniff to get vaccinated

By MAYURESH ABHYANKAR Associate professor of infectious diseases and international health, University of Virginia IMAGINE inhaling just a few drops of liquid or mist to get protected from COVID-19. That is the idea behind nasal COVID19 vaccines, and they have been getting a lot of attention recently as a spray or liquid. These nasal vaccines would be based on the same technology as normal vaccines given by injection. But as Mayuresh Abhyankar, a University of Virginia researcher who

studies infectious diseases and works on nasal vaccines, explains, vaccinating someone right where the coronavirus is likely to start its attack comes with many immunological benefits.

1. What are nasal vaccines?

Nasal vaccines are administered, as the name suggests, through the nose.

More accurately called intranasal vaccines, these vaccines are liquids that can be given as a spray or through a dropper or syringe. The most common nasal vaccine is FluMist, a nasal spray that uses inactivated flu virus to protect

against influenza. An intranasal vaccine could be a weakened live virus similar to FluMist, a nucleic acid vaccine like mRNA coronavirus vaccines or a protein vaccine like Hepatitis B vaccines or the CorbeVax coronavirus vaccine.

Intranasal vaccines are best suited to protect against pathogens that enter through the nose, like the flu or the coronavirus.

By mimicking the first step of natural exposure to an airborne pathogen, these vaccines help train a person’s immune system at the potential place of infection.

Scientists have shown that the first immune response

in the respiratory tract after a person is exposed to an airborne virus can influence how sick a person gets. So in theory, intranasal vaccines could provide better protection than vaccines given through a shot in the arm.

2. How does the coronavirus infect people?

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, usually enters the body through the nose and lands on the mucus membrane at the back of the nasal passage and in the throat. The virus then enters the cells it touches, replicates and spreads.

Just underneath these cells of the mucus membrane are many types of immune cells that form what is called the mucosal immune system. Cells of the mucosal immune system are the first to identify invading coronavirus particles and start mounting a protective response.

In an unvaccinated individual, it takes about two weeks for these immune cells to build up a protective response after encountering the coronavirus. By that time, the virus can easily have infected other body parts, like the lungs, which can lead to severe disease.

Nasal vaccines follow a lot of the same steps. When you inhale a nasal vaccine, the particles land on the mucus membrane in your nasal cavity or the back of your throat, enter the cells in those places and trigger an immune response. This process teaches the body about the coronavirus and allows it to deal with any future real infections.

3. How are nasal and intramuscular vaccines different?

When you get a COVID19 shot in your arm, the vaccine triggers a strong immune response in the cells near where you got the shot. It also causes your immune system to produce some coronavirus-specific antibodies and other immune cells in other locations throughout your body.

When the coronavirus begins infecting cells in a person’s respiratory tract, the immune cells nearby will start mounting a defence. Your body will also send anti-viral immune cells and antibodies from other locations to the site of infection. But by the time enough coronavirus-specific immune cells gather around the infection site to stop the virus from replicating, the virus has likely already begun to spread throughout the body, making it difficult

for the immune system to keep up.

Nasal vaccines mimic the virus in order to prepare the immune system against a virus, just like any other vaccine. But importantly, they mimic the process of infection, too, and boost protective response within the mucosal immune system of the nose and throat. In simple terms, intranasal vaccines are like knowing there is going to be a breakin and putting your guards in the right location before the trouble even starts.

The science bears this idea out. In a head-to-head comparison, AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine provided greater protection in hamsters that were vaccinated intranasally compared with those vaccinated intramuscularly.

Nasal vaccination could also be used in concert with intramuscular immunization. In a recent study, my colleagues and I gave some mice both a nasal and intramuscular vaccine and exposed them to a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2 – 100 percent of these mixedvaccinated mice survived, compared to only 10% of the unvaccinated mice. We are now testing if this mixed approach is superior to just intranasal or just intramuscular approaches on their own.

Finally, intranasal vaccines are painless, noninvasive and do not require specialized training to use.

4. What are the risks of nasal vaccines?

Getting the dosage correct can be harder with nasal vaccines than a shot,

especially with young children. If someone has a stuffy nose or sneezes out a part of the vaccine before it’s completely absorbed, this can result in a lowerthan-desired dose.

There are some unique health risks too. All vaccines go through rigorous safety testing and clinical trials, but these processes are especially important for nasal vaccines due to the simple fact that the nose is close to the brain. In 2000, 27.7 percent of people who received an inactivated intranasal influenza vaccine in Switzerland developed transient facial paralysis – also known as Bell’s palsy.

Later, researchers found that a bacterial toxin added to the vaccine to enhance the immune response was the culprit.

This is the only reported instance of neurological issues stemming from intranasal vaccines, but it is something to consider.

5. How long until intranasal COVID-19 vaccines are ready?

As of late May 2022, there are no approved COVID-19 intranasal vaccines for human use. There are currently seven in clinical trials, and three of them – manufactured by Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, Bharat Biotech, and Codagenix and Serum Institute of India – are in phase-3 human trials.

In the coming months, the results of these trials will not only show how safe these promising new vaccines are, but also if they perform better than the vaccines in use today.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022 PAGE 11

AT the opening of the event in Georgetown, Guyana, are, from left, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, President of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister of Belize and Chair of CARICOM John Briceno, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley; Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas Chester Cooper; Premier of Montserrat Joseph Farrell.

At last, faith in regionalism reignited by the crisis upon us THE “Agri-Investment Forum”, held in Guyana from May 19-21, was arguably the most successful engagement by CARICOM leaders in the last 15 years.

The forum was held amid an enlarging global calamity that combines high prices for oil with shortages and record high prices for food and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one of the world’s six breadbasket regions, has pushed the world’s food system, already damaged by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, into global crisis.

In the weeks, leading up to the forum, evidence of the predicament engulfing the Caribbean, had begun to focus the attention of governments. High prices of food products are threatening poorer and vulnerable communities at a time when the economies of the majority of CARICOM countries are struggling to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the eve of the forum, a joint survey by the CARICOM Secretariat and World Food Programme estimated severe food insecurity in the Caribbean had increased by 72 percent, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. And the World Bank reported that the price of fertilizers has increased by as much as 178 percent between March 2021 and March this year.

The cost of transporting goods, including agricultural products and inputs, has increased astronomically over the past year. The logistics industry is currently experiencing the highest constant peak in increased cost as shipping is disrupted.

International transport prices look set to rise even more by eight to 12 percent in the coming months.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

No one is escaping the effects.

All of this undoubtedly sends a shiver down the spines of governments.

Many of them simply do not have the financial resources to support poor and vulnerable communities anymore. They depleted those resources through the pandemic when many economies shut down and unemployment soared.

CARICOM governments and the private sector, particularly those companies that make profits on the importation of goods from outside the region - and who have acted to stifle competition from the products of CARICOM countries - bear more than a little responsibility for the region’s current food insecurity.

For much of the last 15 years, CARICOM governments had “paused” efforts to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Among the important things that suffered was a 2005 agreement to operationalize a “Framework for the repositioning of Caribbean agriculture” which came to be known as the “Jagdeo Initiative” after Bharat Jagdeo, then President of Guyana, who spearheaded it.

When the “Jagdeo Initiative” was agreed, but not implemented, in 2005, CARICOM’s food import Bill was $1.8 billion. At the end of 2021, the bill was more than $5 billion.

As Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, said at the formal opening of the forum: “Our region failed to implement the 2005 ‘Jagdeo Initiative’, and, over the last 17 years, we have suffered for our inaction.”

The problem now is not only the high cost of imported food, but also that certain foodstuffs, vital to Caribbean people, are in short supply. Very soon, food reserves in many developed countries will be severely diminished.

This will undoubtedly lead to developed countries restricting exports to protect their own populations, resulting in more food shortages and higher prices in CARICOM countries.

At the forum, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, recalled that when vaccines were needed by every nation to save lives and control COVID-19, a few rich nations bought and hoarded more than 70 percent of the vaccine production. He warned: “Nobody is going to give us food when it is in short supply. We have to act now so that next time we would be in a better position.”

This crisis cries out for urgent attention that goes beyond words to practical measures. Therefore, it set the stage for the CARICOM leaders at the forum to take action that would upset the status quo and forge a pathway to meaningful integration of

CARICOM’s resources.

There were two further ingredients that led to the forum’s action. The first was that a plan existed to tackle food insecurity. That plan was introduced at the March 2022 CARICOM Heads of Government meeting by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. In the last two months with food shortages increasing and prices rising, the plan and its implementation assumed great relevance and urgency. The leaders at the forum seized the moment and agreed on priority areas.

In the Outcome Statement, the leaders committed to tackling food insecurity, removing tariffs on CARICOM goods, and establishing regional transportation to get regionally produced food to every country in the region.

On food insecurity, President Ali will organize an existing Ministerial Task Force to produce an implementation schedule for the plan he presented to his colleagues last March.

The preparation of the plan will involve all the

stakeholders in agricultural production. Regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers that are imposed on CARICOM products, a Special Committee, headed by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, will immediately prepare proposals, with time-bound deadlines, for eliminating such trade barriers. Should this happen, the “pause” on creating a Single Market might, at last, be released.

The Outcome Statement said that the leaders recognized the lack of adequate regional transportation by sea and air is an obstacle to the transportation of food within the region, and they are determined that it should be overcome within the shortest possible time. Again, the energetic and persuasive Ms Mottley, has been charged with completing a proposal for establishing adequate and sustainable regional transportation by July. The help of the international donor community and multilateral development agencies will be sought to support this

effort, with the Caribbean Development Bank playing a role in mobilizing international resources.

There was another reason for the Forum’s motivation and success - the passion of Guyana’s President Ali. Not only did he have a food plan ready, but he was also fervent in his determination to deliver it. His enthusiasm infected his colleagues and influenced the forum’s result to produce actionable proposals with firm deadlines for implementation.

For those who were around in the late 1960s and 1970s when CARIFTA was created and CARICOM emerged, the atmosphere and results of the Guyana Forum rekindled a new faith in regionalism – and the hope that fidelity to it will prevail.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States)

PAGE 12, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FIRST HURRICANE OF SEASON HEADS FOR MEXICO COAST MEXICO CITY Associated Press

HURRICANE Agatha off the Pacific coast of Mexico yesterday.

Photo: NOAA

THE first hurricane of the season formed off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast yesterday and rapidly gained power ahead of an expected strike along a stretch of tourist beaches and fishing towns.

Hurricane Agatha could make landfall at close to major hurricane force on Monday in the area near Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel in the southern state of Oaxaca — a region that includes the laid-back tourist resorts of Huatulco, Mazunte and Zipolite.

Around midday yesterday, the US National

Hurricane Center said the recently formed hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 90mph and it was centred about 195 miles west-southwest of Puerto Angel. It was heading to the north at 2mph.

A hurricane warning was in effect between the port of Salina Cruz and the Lagunas de Chacahua.

The civil defence office in Oaxaca said the hurricane’s outer bands were already hitting the coast. The office published photos of fishermen hauling their boats up on beaches to protect them from the storm.

The government’s Mexican Turtle Center — a former slaughterhouse turned conservation center

in Mazunte — announced it was closed to visitors until further notice because of the hurricane.

The Hurricane Center warned of dangerous costal flooding, as well as large and destructive waves near where Agatha makes landfall and destructive waves.

The storm was expected to bring 10 to 16 inches of rain to parts of Oaxaca state — with isolated maximums of 20 inches — posing the threat of flash flooding and mudslides.

Because the storm’s current path would carry it over the narrow waist of Mexico’s isthmus, the center said there was a chance the storm’s remnants could reemerge over the Gulf of Mexico.

COLOMBIANS ELECT NEW PRESIDENT

22 feared dead as airplane crashes in Nepal mountains

COLOMBIANS emerging from the coronavirus pandemic were voting for their next president yesterday, choosing from six candidates who promise various degrees of change amid rising inequality, inflation, violence and a discontent with the status quo.

Former rebel Gustavo Petro, who has been leading in polls, could become Colombia’s first leftist president. But those polls also show him falling short of the 50 percent of votes needed to win in the first round and avoid a runoff against the second-place finisher.

Behind him are a populist real estate tycoon promising monetary rewards for tips on corrupt officials and a right-wing candidate who has tried to distance himself from the widely disliked conservative current president, Iván Duque.

“The main problem in the country is the inequality of conditions, the work is not well paid,” said Jenny Bello, 32, who sold coffee near a long line of voters under a typical cloudy sky in the capital of Bogotá.

KATHMANDU, Nepal Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia Associated Press

RESCUERS zeroed in on a possible location of a passenger plane with 22 people aboard that is feared to have crashed Sunday in cloudy weather in Nepal’s mountains, officials said.

The Tara Air plane was on a 20-minute scheduled flight from the resort town of Pokhara, 125 miles east of Kathmandu, to the mountain town of Jomsom.

The turboprop Twin Otter aircraft lost contact with the airport tower close to landing in an area of deep river gorges and mountaintops.

An army helicopter and private choppers were taking part in the search, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said in a statement.

Army troops and rescue teams were headed to the possible site of the crash, believed to be around Lete, a village in Mustang district, Narayan Silwal, the army spokesman, said on Twitter.

But bad weather and nightfall caused the search to be suspended until Monday morning, Silwal said.

SIGNAGE for Tara Airlines behind a team of climbers as they prepare to leave for rescue operations from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday.

Photo: Niranjan Shreshta/AP “Poor visibility due to reached the location. an altitude of 12,825 feet.

Sudarshan Bartaula, bad weather is hindering There were six foreigners the efforts. The plane has spokesman for Tara Air, on board the plane, includnot yet been located,” he said that rescuers had nar- ing four Indians and two said. Rescuers were trying rowed down a possible Germans, according to a to reach an area where location of the plane. police official.

According to plane tracklocals allegedly saw a fire, The plane was carrying although it is still unclear ing data from flightradar24. 19 passengers and three what was burning, Silwal com, the 43-year-old air- crew, Bartaula said. added. He said that offi- craft took off from Pokhara It has been raining in cials can only verify the at 9.55am and transmitted the area for the past few information once the troops its last signal at 10.07am at days but flights have been

operating normally. Planes on that route fly between mountains before landing in a valley.

It is a popular route with foreign hikers who trek on the mountain trails and also with Indian and Nepalese pilgrims who visit the revered Muktinath temple.

Nepal has had a spotty air safety record. In 2016, a Tara Air Twin Otter flying the same route crashed after takeoff, killing all 23 people aboard. In 2012, an Agni Air plane also flying from Pokhara to Jomsom crashed, killing 15 people. Six people survived. In 2014, a Nepal Airlines plane flying from Pokhara to Jumla crashed, killing all 18 on board.

In 2018, a US-Bangla passenger plane from Bangladesh crashed on landing in Kathmandu, killing 49 of the 71 people aboard.

The Twin Otter, a rugged plane originally built by Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland, has been in service in Nepal for about 50 years, during which it has been involved in about 21 accidents, according to aviationnepal. com.

ONE DEAD, SEVEN HURT IN MUSIC FESTIVAL SHOOTING TAFT, Oklahoma Associated Press

AUTHORITIES said one person was killed and seven were injured in a shooting early yesterday at an outdoor festival in eastern Oklahoma, with a witness describing frantic people running for cover as the gunfire erupted.

Two juveniles were among those shot at the Memorial Day event near Taft, about 10 miles southeast of Tulsa, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

Witnesses said an argument preceded the gunfire just after midnight, the agency said. No one has been arrested, it said.

“We heard a lot of shots and we thought it was firecrackers at first,” said Sylvia Wilson, an owner of Taft’s Boots Cafe, which was open at the time to serve a surge of visitors to the small town for the Memorial Day weekend gathering.

“Then people start running and ducking. And we were

yelling at everyone ... ‘Get down! Get down!” Wilson said to The Associated Press by telephone from the café on Sunday morning.

About 1,500 people attended the event in Taft, which usually has a population of just a few hundred people. Members of the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office were in attendance and immediately began rendering aid, OSBI said.

The agency provided no other details including the conditions of those injured.

The Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office referred the AP to OSBI for more information. A bureau spokeswoman has not responded to the AP’s calls.

Wilson estimated her café is about 100 feet from where the shooting broke out. She said law enforcement had been on the scene to help with security earlier and that officers reacted quickly to the shooting.

“We are upset,” Wilson said, adding: “Everything is getting back to normal. ...

The danger has passed.”

CRUISE SHIPS OUT OF CHARLESTON CRUISE ships will no longer start their journeys from Charleston by the end of 2024, the South Carolina Ports Authority said.

The authority decided to not renew a deal with Carnival Cruise Line that allowed cruises to begin and end from the Union Pier Terminal in downtown Charleston. Cruise ships can continue to dock at Charleston, but only for brief, same-day port of call stops, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported.

Currently, about 70 cruises a year leave Charleston for The Bahamas and

other Eastern Caribbean destinations.

The decision should cut the number of cruise passengers in Charleston down by 80 percent, officials said.

The State Ports Authority said it will no longer work on plans to redevelop a warehouse at the Union Pier into a cruise terminal. Permits to start the project have been tied up for years by lawsuits from conservation and historical preservation groups.

Instead, the authority said it will look into selling the land it owns to a private developer.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 13

ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR NCAA TRACK & FIELD OUTDOORS

THOMPSON IN THE WIN COLUMN AT COMBINED EVENTS QUALIFIER

qualified for the second consecutive year in the javelin.

Otabor, a sophomore, advances in the javelin for the second consecutive season, while Miller will make her debut appearance at nationals in the pole vault.

Otabor placed fourth with a throw of 52.42m, to earn a spot in the second flight field in Eugene next month.

This season she has already reset the school record (56.25m) and looks to improve on last year when she finished no.21 overall at the NCAAs. Head coach Norbert Elliot’s Purdue Boilermakers produced nine entries for the NCAA Championships. Senior jumper Tamar Greene finished 21st in the triple jump at a mark of 15:38m.

In the West Prelims, Texas Tech Red Raiders sprinter Terrence Jones Jr reached another milestone in the programme’s record books en route to his NCAA qualification.

Jones ran 10.03 in his heat, finishing second, but posted the third-best overall time in the field.

It was the fifth-fastest mark and he became the second-fastest sprinter in programme history.

In 2021, the sophomore qualified for the NCAAs in the 200m and finished ninth as part of the 4x100 team to earn All-America honours.

High jumper Shaun Miller Jr was the first of two Bahamians in the field headed to Oregon for the NCAAs. The Ohio State Buckeyes junior qualified after he finished atop of the standings by clearing 2.18m on his first attempt in his signature event.

Also in the field, fifth year senior Kyle Alcine advanced to the NCAAs after he finished in the top 12 with his mark of 2.15m (7’ ½”) Other Bahamians competing at the West Prelims included the group from Oral Roberts University.

Gabrielle Gibson was the lone Golden Eagle to advance to the quarterfinals, where she finished 22nd in the 100 metre hurdles with a time of 13.40.

Indea Cartwright placed 38th in the 100 metre hurdles with a time of 13.73.

Brad Dormeus raced in the 200m (21.06) and 400m (47.36) placing 32nd and 39th, respectively.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas multi-event specialist and decathlon national record holder Kendrick Thompson competes in the long jump and high jump portions of the decathlon at the Jacksonville Athletic Club Combined Events Qualifier at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, May 29, 2022. After day one, Thompson leads the competition with 4,193 points overall. Thompson won the 100m in 10.6 second for 906 decathlon points. He won the long jump with a personal record jump of 7.47m (26-6) and 927 points.

In the shot put, he outclassed the field with a best throw of 13.6m (44-7 ½) for 704 points. He also won the high jump clearing 1.99m (6-6 ¼) for 794 points. And closed out the day in the 400m with a run of 49.99 for 862 points. The meet concludes today.

Photos courtesy of UB Athletics

FROM PAGE 20

DAVIS

FROM PAGE 20

outside an exit. Security held some fans in one area for a time until it was deemed safe to leave.

A New York City police spokesman told The Associated Press that the noise outside the arena was a “loud disturbance,” and said there was no shooting. The spokesman said there was reports of some minor injuries due to the commotion.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka was among the frantic fans at Barclays Center. She took to Twitter and posted that she was “petrified.”

“I heard shouting and saw people running, then we were being yelled at that there was an active shooter and we had to huddle in a room and close the doors, I

FIRST TEAM FROM PAGE 20

and one of three First Team All-American honours in 2022.

Cartwright teamed up with Makayla Jackson, Ja’Cey Simmons and Rose Cramer to finish first in the 4x100m relay with a time of 44.29 seconds. It was another first in Maverick history and each relay team member received First Team All-American honours.

A busy meet for Cartwright also included a fourth place finish in the

HINDLEY FROM PAGE 20

through the 2021 Giro due to a saddle sore. “Last year was really, really hard and I really fought hard to be back here,” Hindley said. “But I didn’t know I would be fighting for the win.”

Limited because of COVID-19 regulations, Hindley hasn’t gone home to Perth, Australia, since before the pandemic.

“Two days ago I heard my parents were coming to the finish,” Hindley said. “I hadn’t seen them since the start of 2020 so it was really special today.

At the end of the year I’ll go back home and savor every minute of it.”

Nothing went wrong for the Bora–Hansgrohe rider in this year’s race. Hindley won Stage 9 that finished with a punishing climb to Blockhaus, he gained a few seconds on Carapaz during the gruelling 16th stage that went over the legendary Mortirolo pass, then he stormed into the lead in the penultimate stage on Saturday by dropping his overall rivals on the fearsome Marmolada climb.

In essence, Hindley was better or evenly matched with Carapaz on nearly all of the climbing stages.

Hindley’s climbing prowess was already evident in 2020 when he won the Giro’s “queen” stage over the Stelvio pass.

Now, the 26-year-old Hindley has joined Cadel Evans, the 2011 Tour de France champion, as the only Australians to win a Grand Tour.

Carapaz, the Ecuadorian who won Olympic gold last year and was celebrating his 29th birthday yesterday, was the prerace favourite.

Spanish rider Mikel Landa finished third overall, 3:24 behind, and Vincenzo Nibali, the 37-year-old two-time Giro champion who plans to retire at the end of this season, finished fourth, 9:02 behind.

Hindley, wearing an aerodynamic pink-andblack helmet to go with his pink leader’s jersey, simply smiled and pumped his fist a few times after crossing the finish line.

As for the rest of the year, Hindley said he would consider racing the Spanish Vuelta then hopes to ride at his home world championships in Wollongong in September. He likely won’t race the Tour de France.

Italian rider Matteo Sobrero won the 17.4-kilometre (11-mile) time trial, which followed a technical route that included a fourth-category climb and an ensuing descent, in 22 minutes, 24.54 seconds.

was so (expletive) petrified man,” the four-time grand slam champion tweeted. A short time later, she added: “I really hope everyone made it out safely, since I’m tweeting this we made it out ok.”

Romero lost for the first time in 15 pro fights, but wasn’t done talking after doing so much of it in the weeks leading up to the fight. In fact, he wants another one.

“I won all six rounds,” Romero said. “I won every moment of that fight, I exposed him and we need to run that (fight) back.”

It was an electrifying end to the return of big-time boxing in Brooklyn, where Davis won his first title in 2017.

He drew an arena-record 18,970 for this fight, with the first big card at Barclays

Center since before the pandemic began two years ago including Madonna and a number of stars from sports.

Davis and Romero were supposed to fight in December, but the challenger was taken off the card while a sexual assault claim against him was investigated.

Davis went on to beat replacement Isaac Cruz by unanimous decision, after having knocked out every opponent since 2015.

The fight was then rescheduled after no charges were filed against Romero and the buildup featured plenty of trash talking from the challenger.

Davis laughed off most of the talk, until pushing Romero on Friday and learning something about how to handle his opponent.

“I knew that I could get into his head, just from when we weighed in,” Davis said.

Romero repeatedly boasted he would knock out Davis in one round, but the only meaningful punches in the first three minutes were landed during a fight in the stands. He did score well with some shots in the second, but then lost a chance to follow up when he shoved Davis to the canvas as they clenched.

The fight was fairly even through four rounds and Davis appeared to be on his way to his most dominant round in the fifth when the Baltimore native suddenly grimaced — though said afterward his hand wasn’t hurt. Whatever the problem was didn’t last very long.

“I didn’t even throw it that hard and he’s the one

who ran into it, when he was talking that it was going to be me,” Davis said.

With both fighters promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Romero claimed they were supposed to spar on multiple occasions, but Davis backed out.

He finally got his chance less than 10 years ago after beginning his boxing career, having switched from judo at 17.

He was the No. 1 ranked contender but clearly still a long way from Davis’ level.

“Tank Davis is on another level,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said. “He showed you why he’s one of the best fighters in the world.”

After walking to the ring while hearing plenty of boos from the pro-Davis crowd, Romero bounced off the ropes and hopped

around defiantly. Davis then entered and danced right over to Romero’s corner and stared at him, as if ready to start fighting right then.

Once it did start, he needed a few rounds to warm up before figuring out and then finishing Romero.

In the co-feature, Erislandy Lara, the longtime 154-pound champion who has moved up to 160 and won a title, stopped Gary O’Sullivan 23 seconds into the eighth round. Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) landed a hard left and appeared set to finish O’Sullivan in the closing seconds of the seventh before the bell rang.

O’Sullivan was allowed to start the eighth but the Cuban drove him back with another hard left and referee Benjy Esteves waved an end to the fight.

200m (23.55) and seventh place finish in the 100m (11.94) to earn another pair of First Team All-American Honours.

The Mavericks scored 57 points to finish third in the team standings, the best team finish in programme history.

Wilson finished with a silver medal in the 110m hurdles in a time of 13.80.

This year marked the second consecutive second place finish for the Buffaloes’ at the national championships.

They scored a programme -high 61 points and produced 16 All-Americans.

The freshman sprinter finished 10th at last year’s national championships and ran the first leg on the 4x100-metre relay that finished second with the fastest time in programme history - 39.82.

Wilson’s silver medal performance came just weeks after he was named the U.S. Track andField and Cross Country Coaches Association National Athlete of the Week. He received the honour when he broke a 28-year-old NCAA Division II record in the 110m hurdles in a time of 13.35 to break Abilene Christian’s Brian Amos’ record

of 13.37 set back on May 12, 1994.

Kemp earned First Team All-American honours at the NCAAs for the third time in his collegiate career.

Kemp jumped 15.75m (51’ 8 ¼”) to tie the Dragons programme record he set earlier this season. In his Dragon career, Kemp has five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles in his signature event and holds school records indoor and outdoors.

Kemp overcame an early season ankle injury to have one of his lost successful seasons to date. “The outdoor season has been pretty

much successful. I’m reaching my goals,” Kemp said to the school’s athletic website. “I’ve kept a positive mindset. I have to go out and execute and do what I’ve done in training. I’m dedicated to this sport…I give 100 percent and I just try to give it all in whatever I do.”

Kemp has blossomed under the tutelage of Bahamian Olympian and former World Championship bronze medallist, Trevor Barry. “Shy has had a stellar 2022 season,” Barry said.

“Shy is a true competitor and always rises above the level of the competition.”

Bahamians were also in competition at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Dominic Archer and the Briar Cliff Chargers 4x100m team of Ben Jefferies, Tulsa Janish and Ryan Kotey earned All-American honours as they placed sixth in a new programme record of 40.79.

Breanna Pratt and her Life U 4x400m team members - Alesha Wright, Iantha Wright and Brianna Florvilus - won bronze in 3:45.71.

The Eagles placed fifth overall.

PAGE 14, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

RED SOX HIT SEASON-HIGH 5 HRS, TAG ZIMMERMANN, ORIOLES 12-2

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer, one of Boston’s season-high five longballs, and the Red Sox coasted to a 12-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.

Rafael Devers, Kiké Hernández, Franchy Cordero and Christian Arroyo each hit a solo drive for the Red Sox, who posted their ninth win in 12 games.

“Playing here is always fun, but it gets more fun when the ball is flying out like that in a day game,” Dalbec said, smiling.

All five Boston home runs came in four innings against Bruce Zimmermann (2-3). He allowed a previous career-high four homers in his last start Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Chants of “Let’s go, Celtics!” echoed around Fenway Park a handful of times and got louder when Boston scored five times in the eighth. The Celtics played at the Miami Heat hours later in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Xander Bogaerts had three hits, including a tworun double. Cordero added a two-run double and Arroyo homered on the

first pitch after he had to get a new bat.

“Energy comes from offence and we did a good job offensively today,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “The bottom of the lineup was outstanding.”

Jake Pivetta (4-4) gave up one run on five hits in six innings, improving to 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last five starts.

Boston’s averaged 7.3 runs in its last 19 games.

“It looks very much like we are and what we sought out to be,” Pivetta said.

“The consistency is there top to bottom.”

Zimmermann allowed six runs and eight hits.

“They were on everything he threw,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “We just need to flush this one and try to win a series. We haven’t had too many of these and this wasn’t our day. Zimm struggled from the start. We just need to let this one go.”

The teams have split the first four of a five-game series.

Trey Mancini had three hits for the Orioles, who have lost four of six.

Dalbec got the homer barrage started in the second with his drive into the last row of Green Monster seats. One batter

BOSTON Red Sox’s Rafael Devers, right, celebrates his solo home run with Xander Bogaerts (2) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday in Boston.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) later, Cordero hit his into the center-field bleachers, making it 3-0.

Devers’ drive cleared Boston’s bullpen in the third before Arroyo and Hernández hit theirs over the Monster the following inning. Arroyo’s shot completely left Fenway to make it 5-0. His old bat splintered, slicing from the top down toward the middle,

with the piece flying halfway to the mound when he fouled a pitch, forcing him to get another bat. He said he went to a little different model. “It’s funny. I hit it and came (into the dugout) and everyone was telling me ... to start using that new one,” he said, laughing at his locker while telling the story. “Glad I went to the other one.”

Hernández’s homer caromed off a billboard above the left-field wall.

TRAINER’S ROOM Orioles: Anthony Santander appeared to injury something when he only got about halfway to first on his grounder to short, but after a visit from a trainer and Hyde he stayed in the game.

Red Sox: Cora said LHP Chris Sale, sidelined since early April because of a right rib fracture, would throw three times this week at the club’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Florida. The manager also said that RHP Hansel Robles, who went on the injured list Saturday with back spasms, may head to Florida, too, when the team goes on a West Coast trip later this week. ... Cora said C Christian Vázquez left the game with a tight groin.

LONG SHOTS Cordero’s was estimated at 448 feet and Devers — with an exit velocity of 110.7 mph — was 434.

DEBUT Baltimore RHP Cody Sedlock made his major league debut, working three innings and giving up five runs. The 26-year-old struck out Trevor Story swinging for his first big league K. UP NEXT RHP Tyler Wells (1-4, 4.30 ERA) is slated to start for Baltimore in the finale of the five-game set on Monday night. Veteran LHP Rich Hill (1-3, 3.86) is set for Boston. Hill’s allowed four or fewer runs in his last 79 starts dating back to May of 2018, the majors’ longest active streak.

Perez wins chaotic Monaco GP, Ferrari blows it for Leclerc

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Auto Racing Writer MONACO (AP) — Sergio Perez rebounded from Red Bull team orders that denied him a chance to race for the win one week ago to pick up his first Formula One victory of the season in the rain-marred Monaco Grand Prix.

Perez earned his third career F1 victory after a questionable strategy call

by Ferrari cost pole-sitter Charles Leclerc a win on his home circuit.

Although Leclerc finished the race for the first time in four tries, he finished fourth and allowed reigning world champion Max Verstappen to extend his lead in the points standings. Carlos Sainz Jr finished second for Ferrari and Verstappen was third for Red Bull.

Verstappen now leads Leclerc by nine points in the standings; Leclerc has two wins this season, Verstappen and Perez have combined for five victories as Red Bull and Ferrari have claimed all seven races.

But the win on the slick city streets of Monaco went to Verstappen’s teammate

just one week after Perez was ordered to cede the lead to Verstappen during the Spanish Grand Prix.

Leclerc had dropped out of the race with an engine failure and Red Bull chose to capitalise by manipulating the finish to get Verstappen the win in Spain.

The team promised Perez he’d be allowed to race for wins and held its word yesterday.

“You dream of winning this, and after your home race, there is no place more special to win,” Perez said after waving the Mexican flag. He is third in the standings and only six points behind Leclerc.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner patted Perez on the back as he walked alongside the driver following the race.

Perez is in a contract year and both Red Bull and Perez have said discussions on an extension would ramp up over the summer months.

“Checo was sensational,” Horner said. “It’s very tough in conditions like that but we got the calls right.”

Horner joined Perez on the podium and Perez struggled to hold back tears as he puffed his cheeks and

RED Bull driver Sergio Perez, of Mexico, celebrates on the podium after winning the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Daniel Cole) wiped his eyes while the Mexican anthem played.

“It’s a massive day for myself and my country. I am very happy.

“I was wearing a Pedro Rodriguez helmet,” Perez said. “I am sure he was looking down on me and

hopefully he would be very proud.”

Rodriguez, a Mexican driver who won two F1 races, died in 1971.

Verstappen celebrated with Perez, whom he considers the best teammate of his career.

“Amazing result for Checo,” he said. “Very pleased for him.”

Leclerc led from the pole and screamed in rage when told to pit for a second tire change on Lap 22 — at the same time as Sainz.

His engineer realised the mistake and yelled “stay out!” but it was too late and Leclerc returned to the track in fourth.

“What are you doing?”

Leclerc shouted.

After the race, he lectured Ferrari again.

“No words, no words. We cannot do that,” he radioed.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto accepted the team made the wrong call for Leclerc.

“I know he’s not happy.

It’s normal that he’s not happy because we only made mistakes.

If you’re first and end up fourth it’s obvious something didn’t work,” Binotto said. “We should have stayed out. We’ll look at why we made that decision.”

Leclerc also won the pole a year ago but never got to start because he crashed at the end of qualifying, and the car’s gearbox failed moments before the start.

In 2018 and 2019, Leclerc had retired from the race with crash damage.

The race was delayed by 70 minutes for heavy rain and began from a rolling start behind a safety car.

It was then red-flagged on Lap 30 after Mick Schumacher’s heavy crash three laps earlier sliced his Haas car in two. He escaped unharmed.

“I’m fine, very, very upset not to finish the race,” Schumacher said. “I don’t know why the car split in two.”

George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and the Alpine of Fernando Alonso.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was eighth for Mercedes — extending his winless run with the Silver Arrows to eight races — while Valtteri Bottas was ninth for Alfa Romeo and Sebastian Vettel 10th for Aston Martin.

“Crazy afternoon.

I thought the rain would make it more exciting but we struggled still on our cars,” Hamilton said.

“Probably one of the worst (starts to the season).”

Relentless rain drenched the track 20 minutes before the scheduled start at 3 pm local time.

The field initially lined up and completed a delayed formation lap behind the safety car. But drivers climbed from their cars when the rain intensified and it became clear yesterday’s start would be delayed. They sheltered in their garages as teams used makeshift tents to protect the cars.

When the rain subsided enough to start the race, Leclerc led the field on a rolling start and started clocking fastest laps.

Then came a team order that played straight into Red Bull’s hands and left Leclerc despondent in Monaco.

Once again.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 15

Coco Gauff, now 18, returns to French Open quarterfinals

NADAL EDGES AUGERALIASSIME, DJOKOVIC NEXT

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

PARIS (AP) — Quite a trip to Paris in the springtime for 18-year-old American Coco Gauff: She celebrated graduating from high school — an achievement saluted via social media by former first lady Michelle Obama — and now is into the French Open quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.

How did YOU spend the past week or so?

Learning as she goes, Gauff took control of a tight opening set against No. 31 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium yesterday and grabbed the last eight games to pull away for a 6-4, 6-0 victory in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

“You’re never going to play your best tennis in a Slam every moment of the match, but I think I’m getting better and better,” said Gauff, who is seeded 18th at the clay-court major tournament, “and I think, mentally, I can’t ask for much more from myself in each match.”

Next up will be a match against Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion and 2018 French Open runner-up, who defeated No. 23 seed Jil Teichmann of Switzerland 6-2, 6-0 later yesterday.

“I love Coco. ... I really look forward to it,” said

Stephens, a 29-year-old American who arrived at Roland Garros on a fivematch losing streak and with a ranking of No. 64.

The other quarterfinal on the bottom half of the draw will be a meeting between left-handers: No. 17 Leylah Fernandez, a 19-year-old Canadian who reached the final at last year’s U.S. Open, against 59th-ranked Martina Trevisan of Italy, who also got to the quarterfinals in Paris two years ago.

Fernandez compiled more than twice as many winners, 35, as unforced errors, 17, and broke serve a half-dozen times to beat 20-year-old American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on a chilly, windy day. Trevisan grabbed the last four games and eliminated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6 (10), 7-5.

“Every time I step out on the court, I still have something to prove,” said Fernandez, who was ranked only 73rd last September when she beat four-time major champion Naomi Osaka on the way to being the runner-up to Emma Raducanu at Flushing Meadows. “I still have that mindset I’m the underdog. I’m still young.”

Gauff, of course, is even younger.

A 2021, she was the youngest French Open quarterfinalist in 15 years, but frittered away five set points in the opener of a

COCO GAUFF, of the US, celebrates winning against Belgium’s Elise Mertens in two sets, 6-4, 6-0, during their fourth round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

loss to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova.

That stuck with her yesterday, when she was in a back-and-forth first set against Mertens that was 4-all before Gauff got going. Afterward, she praised herself for staying calm in the moment.

“That was the biggest lesson I learned last year in my quarterfinal match. I had a couple set points and I think I freaked out when some of those points didn’t go my way,” said Gauff, who delivered one aroundthe-net-post backhand on

the run, but ultimately lost that exchange.

“Today, I didn’t freak out when a couple of those important points didn’t go my way.”

Gauff burst onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2019 when she was 15 by becoming the youngest — yes, there’s that word again — qualifier in tournament history, beating Venus Williams in the first round of the main draw and getting all the way to the fourth.

Other Week 2 runs at major tournaments have

followed, although she’s prouder of her success with schoolwork. She posted a series of pictures on Instagram of herself wearing her cap and gown and holding a diploma, the Eiffel Tower in the background.

A response from Obama, whom Gauff has met, was a nice surprise.

“I’m super thankful for that message. ... What really meant a lot: It wasn’t about the tennis, it was about my education,” Gauff said. “So I think that meant more to me.”

No. 1 Swiatek finds focus at Open amid 31-match run

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

PARIS (AP) — It’s been so long since No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek lost — 31 matches now — and even since she ceded so much as a set — that last happened more than a month ago — that she could be forgiven if she couldn’t recall how to react when in trouble on a tennis court.

Which is why it was worth watching as the 2020 French Open champion navigated a couple of tricky spots in the third round at Roland Garros on Saturday.

Turns out Swiatek didn’t panic and didn’t allow thoughts about this dominant run coming to an end distract her in what would become a 6-3, 7-5 victory against hard-hitting Danka Kovinic of Montenegro.

“Thinking about all these stats, it’s not really helpful. So basically I try to be really strict in terms of my thoughts and try to really focus on ... finding solutions,” said Swiatek, a 20-year-old from Poland whose last name is pronounced shvee-ON’-tek.

“The thoughts are there, but I’m accepting that.”

Kovinic also got a tooclose-for-comfort look at Swiatek’s predecessor atop the WTA rankings, the since-retired Ash Barty, during a 6-0, 6-0 loss at the Australian Open in January.

After Saturday’s setback, Kovinic said she was dealing with a nerve issue in her right shoulder and felt tingling in that arm and two of her fingers. She also said she made sure to deliver a message to Swiatek when they shook hands at the net.

“I told her, ‘Keep going.’

It’s really great for tennis, for our sport, what she’s doing. Obviously, she has

something extra that the rest of us don’t have,” the 95th-ranked Kovinic said. “She has something special. What it is, I don’t know.”

Well, let’s try to answer.

Swiatek’s serve, for example, is solid but not especially speedy; her fastest Saturday was 108 mph, 7 mph slower than Kovinic produced.

Swiatek’s groundstrokes are smooth, sure, but as with anyone’s are liable to waver; her forehand was particularly problematic on a windy afternoon with the temperature in the low 60s Fahrenheit (teens in Celsius), accounting for 17 of her 23 unforced errors.

Speed guns and statistics, though, can’t account for two traits that stand out: an ability to remain in the moment and willingness to think her way out of a corner.

Early on, when a 3-0 lead shrank to 4-3, Swiatek grabbed eight consecutive points to own that set. In the second, she dropped four straight games to trail 5-4. Might have been time to think, “Uh, oh.”

Instead, Swiatek adjusted to Kovinic’s style by using guile instead of attempting to match power with power, and she reeled off the last three games to finish the job.

“For sure,” Swiatek said, “played a little bit more smart.”

Her next opponent is Zheng Qinwen, a 19-yearold from China who is ranked 74th and in her second Grand Slam tournament.

“I really want to play against her,” said Zheng, who was ahead 6-0, 3-0 when Alize Cornet stopped playing because of an injured left leg.

Other women’s fourthrounders are Jessica Pegula vs. Irina-Camelia

POLAND’S IGA SWIATEK, who plays with a ribbon in the colours of the Ukraine flag on her cap, clenches her fist after scoring a point against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic during their third round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) Begu, who was fined vs. Cilic in a showdown “Her athleticism and $10,000 after she threw her between past U.S. Open defensive skills are really, racket and it bounced into champions; 2021 finalist really good,” Pegula said. the stands and brushed a Tsitsipas vs. Holger Rune, “And then, I think, she’s child in the stands earlier a 19-year-old from Den- gotten much more offenin the week; Daria Kasat- mark ranked 40th; Rublev sive this year. Been more kina vs. Camila Giorgi; vs. Sinner; and Ruud vs. aggressive when she’s and Madison Keys vs. Hurkacz. needed to be.”

Veronika Kudermetova.

No. 11 Pegula, whose Swiatek has won her Pegula and Keys are two parents own the NFL’s past four tournaments and of five American women Buffalo Bills and NHL’s 48 of her past 49 sets; the still in the tournament.

Buffalo Sabres, and exception came against The relatively sur- Swiatek are the only Liudmila Samsonova in prise-free men’s results two of the top 15 seeds the semifinals at Stuttgart continued to pour in, with remaining in the women’s on April 23.

No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, bracket.

The last match Swiatek No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, “She’s kind of hit lost was against 2017 No. 7 Andrey Rublev, another level than all of us French Open champion No. 8 Casper Ruud, No. right now. Yeah, it’s a little Jelena Ostapenko back on 11 Jannik Sinner, No. 12 scary,” said Pegula, who Feb. 16 in the round of 16 Hubert Hurkacz and No. needed 10 match points to at Dubai.

20 Marin Cilic advancing. close out her first-round She’s won a total of All won in straight sets, victory, then eight more in 15 sets by a 6-0 score except for Rublev, who her next match, but sealed this season, but Swiatek required four, and Ruud, Saturday’s 6-1, 7-6 (2) showed Saturday she can who edged No. 32 Lorenzo win over 2021 semifinalist handle it when things get Sonego 6-2, 6-7 (3), 1-6, Tamara Zidansek on her tight.

6-4, 6-3 at night. initial chance.

“It wasn’t surprising, The top nine men’s seeds One more victory it wasn’t weird,” Swiatek are into the fourth round, apiece, and Swiatek said. “It’s not that I forgot where Monday’s match- becomes Pegula’s problem how to play these kinds of ups will be Medvedev in the quarterfinals. sets.”

PARIS (AP) — By the end of only the third five-setter Rafael Nadal has played in 112 career French Open matches, as the sun and temperature descended and the chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” filled the evening air, the man known as the King of Clay showed precisely what this meant to him.

With every sprint-slideand-stretch to reach a seemingly unreachable shot off the yellow racket of his opponent, Felix Auger-Aliassime; with every right-to-a-corner winner; with every wellstruck volley, Nadal would hop or throw an uppercut or scream “Vamos!” — and, often, all of the above.

Nadal got through his first serious test of this French Open by edging No. 9 seed Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 across nearly 4 1/2 hours of even, entertaining tennis in the fourth round yesterday at Court Philippe Chatrier.

And the reward? A tantalising matchup against rival Novak Djokovic, which will come in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

“Of course we know each other well. We have a lot of history together,” said Nadal, who hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament’s first week until ceding two against AugerAliassime, a big-serving 21-year-old from Canada.

“Here we are in Roland Garros. It is my favourite place, without a doubt. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but the only thing I can guarantee is I am going to fight until the end.”

Nadal improved to 3-0 in five-set matches at the claycourt tournament he has dominated the way no one ever has dominated any Grand Slam event. Overall he is 109-3 here, and two of those defeats came against Djokovic, including in last year’s semifinals.

Here is how significant their rivalry is: Tuesday’s meeting will be their 59th, more than any other two men have faced each other in the sport’s professional era. Djokovic leads 30-28, although Nadal has a 7-2 advantage at the French Open.

Looking at the larger picture, Nadal’s record 13 championships at Roland Garros are part of his haul of 21 Grand Slam trophies, a record for men.

The No. 1-ranked Djokovic, twice the title winner at the French Open, is just one behind Nadal in the total Slam count, tied with Roger Federer at 20.

“Obviously, a wellanticipated match, I think, when the draw came out, for a lot of people. I’m glad that I didn’t spend too much time on the court myself up to quarterfinals, knowing that playing him in Roland Garros is always a physical battle, along with everything else,” said Djokovic, who beat 15th-seeded Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 earlier yesterday and has won all 12 sets he’s played in the tournament.

“It’s a huge challenge,” Djokovic said about the prospect of facing Nadal, “and probably the biggest one that you can have here in Roland Garros. I’m ready for it.”

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PAGE 16, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is high-fived during player introductions before Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks in San Francisco.

(AP Photo/John Hefti)

Klay Thompson and Warriors make a return to NBA Finals

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) dribbles past Dallas Mavericks’ Reggie Bullock (25) during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots a 3-pointer as Dallas Mavericks’ forward Dorian Finney-Smith defends during the second quarter in Game 5.

(Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, hugs Stephen Curry after the Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5. The Warriors advanced to the NBA Finals.

(AP Photo/John Hefti)

DONCIC, MAVS NOW LOOK TO BUILD ON BEST PLAYOFF RUN IN DECADE

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic drew laughter from reporters by saying he would take about a week off after Dallas lost to Golden State in the Western Conference finals, ending the longest season of the young superstar’s career.

The question won’t be a joke when Doncic is asked how much he weighs when training camp opens in about four months.

The 23-year-old’s conditioning and how the roster fits around him will be the hottest offseason topics as the Mavericks try to build on their first trip beyond the first round of the playoffs

since their only championship 11 years ago.

“Basically I didn’t stop playing basketball since the start of last season NBA,” Doncic said after a 120110 loss to the Warriors in Game 5. “I’m going to take probably one week off basketball and then back to it.

The healthiness is the most important thing in basketball. If you’re not healthy, you’re not going to play.”

Or in his case, if you’re not in shape, you’re not going to play well.

Doncic was criticised early in the season for that — and acknowledged it was an issue — as he struggled by his lofty standards and the Mavericks started slowly under first-year

coach Jason Kidd, the point guard on Dallas’ title team.

Doncic didn’t get much of a break in the last offseason after Dallas’ first-round loss because the season started late. The All-Star then carried Slovenia to its first Olympic berth, then the semifinals in Tokyo before two losses kept his home country from a medal.

A COVID-19 absence during the season was extended to give Doncic time to work on his conditioning and recover from an ankle injury. He returned about the time Dallas started its surge from 16-18 to the fourth seed in the West at 52-30.

Kidd said he would visit Doncic this summer on his “home turf,” and hinted that conditioning will be part of the conversation.

“I think the next step is just understanding how long the season really is if you want to win a championship,” Kidd said. “And I think this is a good start for them.”

LUKA’S SIDEKICKS The Mavericks gave up on pairing Doncic with Kristaps Porzingis, trading the 7-foot-3 Latvian to Washington and changing the mix around their star.

It was the first big move for new general manager Nico Harrison.

Now they will again face the question of whether Doncic needs a co-star, starting with whether to re-sign Jalen Brunson. A second-round pick the same year Doncic was drafted third overall, Brunson boosted his value by averaging 21.6 points in the playoffs.

DALLAS Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) walks on the court during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Dallas owner Mark more help at shooting career when the Warriors Cuban sounded confident guard in Tim Hardaway built a 17-point halftime in keeping Brunson after Jr, who didn’t play again lead in the clincher. the Game 5 loss. after breaking his foot in It was hard to blame him The Mavericks also know January. after such a stellar start they need help at centre Reggie Bullock and to his postseason career, after Kevon Looney played Dorian Finney-Smith have including a 35-point avera huge role in Golden important roles as defend- age in elimination games.

State’s victory. ers and 3-point specialists. Kidd said as much while “We’re going to get The Mavericks thrived in hinting at the mindset on together and really focus on the playoffs when either building the roster around the type of J-Kidd player,” one of them had a good Doncic.

Cuban told Bally Sports shooting night.

“So just understanding Southwest after the game.

“This isn’t an old group at that we need Luka to go big “Guys who can guard mul- all,” Dinwiddie said. “Most a lot of nights just to give us tiple positions that are of the talent is under 30. a chance, and unfortunately tough, that know their role, Our superstar is 23. There’s the ball just didn’t go for that are physical, that have no reason we can’t get him tonight,” Kidd said. a motor.” better. It all depends on the “I think he carries the WINGING IT mentality and the approach load as well as anyone, and Spencer Dinwiddie was in the offseason.”

I think for us as an organithe key piece coming from ROUGH FINISH sation, we’ll help lighten Washington in the PorDoncic had perhaps the that load as we go forward,” zingis deal. He will have worst half of his playoff he added.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 17

BURNS PLAYOFF BIRDIE TO BEAT NO. 1 SCHEFFLER AT COLONIAL

Celtics reach NBA Finals, hold off Heat 100-96 in Game 7

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer MIAMI (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 26 points, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each added 24 and the Boston Celtics held off a frantic rally in the final seconds to beat the Miami Heat 100-96 last night and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

Al Horford added 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who never trailed on the way to pulling off a Game 7 win on the road — and not including the bubble, that was the first such victory for the storied franchise since beating Milwaukee for the 1974 NBA title.

Next up for Boston: the Golden State Warriors in a series that starts Thursday in San Francisco.

Jimmy Butler, who willed Miami into Game 7 by scoring 47 points on Friday in Boston, led the Heat with 35 points in what became their season finale.

Bam Adebayo added 25 for the Heat, who were down 11 with under 3 minutes to go before trying one last rally.

A 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Max Strus with 51 seconds left, got the Heat within 98-96.

They had a chance for the lead with about 17 seconds to go when Butler tried a 3-pointer from the right wing, but it missed — and the Celtics escaped.

Boston forced the Heat into nine consecutive

misses during a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter, using that stretch to turn an 82-79 lead into a 90-79 edge — and the Celtics, who had lost each of their last four trips to the East finals, found a way to hold on.

Kyle Lowry scored 15 for the Heat. Grant Williams finished with 11 for the Celtics.

The Celtics came out flying. The Heat came out the opposite of flying.

Boston’s lead was 32-17 after one quarter — the largest ever by a road team after 12 minutes of a Game 7, four points bigger than Golden State’s lead over the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 1977 playoffs.

The Celtics set that tone with defence; they held Miami to 33% shooting in the opening quarter, 1 for 7 from 3-point range and outscored the Heat 13-4 on fast breaks.

The lead was still 15 with 2:36 left in the half, when Miami showed signs of life.

An 11-2 run is how the Heat ended the half, the burst sparked by 3s from Strus and Butler, then capped by four free throws from Lowry in the final 29 seconds. Butler was up to 24 points at the break — he didn’t miss a single second — and Miami had gotten within 55-49 going into the third.

Miami thought it had gotten within 56-54 when Strus rattled in a corner 3 early in the third. But the

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

CELTICS guard Marcus Smart (36) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrate after scoring during the first half of Game 7 during the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoff series against the Miami Heat last night in Miami.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Celtics answered with a 9-1 run, which was even worse — the NBA replay centre in Secaucus, New Jersey decided that Strus had stepped out of bounds, his 3 came off the board while the game was going, and a 56-54 game became 65-52.

TIP-INS Celtics: Derrick White had to leave early in the fourth quarter because he was bleeding after his head got struck by Adebayo under a basket. ... The Celtics became the first team to get three road wins over Miami in the same playoff series. Road teams went 5-2 in the East finals,

Boston going 3-1 on the Heat home court.

Heat: Butler was the second NBA player this season to play every second of a game. The other was Oklahoma City’s Georgios Kalaitzakis, who played all 48 minutes of the Thunder’s season-ending 50-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro returned from a three-game absence because of a groin injury, but went scoreless in seven minutes.

GAME 7 HISTORY Boston improved to 26-9 in Game 7s. Miami fell to 6-5 in such games, and lost

for the first time in five Game 7s at home under coach Erik Spoelstra.

HOME DOGS Miami was a 2.5-point underdog at tipoff according to FanDuel Sportsbook, marking the second time in the last 20 Game 7s — excluding the bubble restart in 2020, when all the games were at Walt Disney World — that the home team wasn’t favoured.

The other was Houston in the 2018 Western Conference finals; the injury-plagued Rockets were 6.5-point underdogs and lost to Golden State 101-92.

STAR TRIO LEADS WARRIORS TO 6TH NBA FINALS SPOT IN 8 YEARS FROM PAGE 20 position for another title after advancing to the NBA Finals with a 120110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. “Like I’ve said over and over again, I’m going to keep saying it: No one has proven that they can move us off that spot,” Green said. “That’s the mindset we come into this thing with. We understand what it takes to win a championship.”

The triumvirate of Curry, Thompson and Green is in rarified air in NBA lore as the core of a team that has made it to six NBA Finals in an eight-year span.

It’s an accomplishment only the greatest groups have reached with Bill Russell’s Celtics of the 1950s and ‘60s, Magic Johnson’s Lakers in the 1980s and Michael Jordan’s Bulls of the 1990s doing it.

Now the Warriors hope to add a fourth title to the ones they captured in 2015, ‘17 and ‘18 when the Finals start June 2 against either Boston or Miami.

The Celtics lead the series 3-2 headed into Game 6 at home on Friday night.

“We’re happy to be here, but it would help our legacy a lot if we completed the mission and won the whole thing,” Thompson said.

“We can be happy tonight, and we will be, I’ll celebrate tonight. But tomorrow when this Game 6 comes on, I’m turning the page and I’m scouting because we want to finish this thing off the right way.”

The last time the Warriors made it to the Finals they fell short, starting a two-year spiral filled with losing and injuries. Thompson tore his left ACL during a season-ending Game 6 loss in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Kevin Durant tore his Achilles’ tendon earlier that series and then left for Brooklyn that summer, leading to the Warriors finishing an NBA-worst 15-50 in the pandemic shortened 2019-20 season.

Thompson then tore his right Achilles’ tendon just before the start of the next season and the Warriors were unable to make it back to the playoffs, getting knocked out by Memphis in the play-in game.

But Thompson returned in January and the combination of the aging trio of stars with an infusion of youth from players like Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and others has Golden State back at the top of the league again.

“We never lost the faith, but you understand how hard of a process it was going to be to climb the mountain again,” Curry said. “I think internally we are all extremely proud of what it took to get back here. Yeah, it’s definitely sweet based on what we went through.”

Thompson led the way in the clinching Game 5 win of the Western Conference finals over Dallas, making eight 3-pointers for a record-setting fifth time in his playoff career and scoring 32 points.

Green added 17 points, six rebounds and nine assists to go along with his usual defensive brilliance and Curry had 15 points and nine assists as he was named series MVP. It’s a level of play that reminds coach Steve Kerr of the Bulls teams he played on with Jordan and Scottie Pippen that won so many titles in the 1990s.

“The common denominator is just talented players who are fierce competitors,” Kerr said.

“Whether you talk about Michael and Scottie, Steph, Draymond, Klay, it takes

GOLDEN State Warriors celebrate with the conference trophy after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco, Thursday, May 26, 2022.

GOLDEN State Warriors’ Stephen Curry holds up the conference finals MVP trophy after the Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco.

(AP Photos/Jeff Chiu) a special kind of athlete to have both dynamics. The skill and the athleticism and all that, but to also be just incredibly competitive

and to want to win so badly.

It’s the only way you can have a run like that because you get exhausted, you get tired, you get frustrated. If

you don’t have that type of competitive desire and that type of skill combined, it’s just not going to happen six times out of eight years.”

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sam Burns made a 38-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole at Colonial, which came just more than two hours after he had finished his round, to beat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler yesterday.

After finishing his 5-under 65 to get to 9 under, Burns was done in the clubhouse when, at one point, Scheffler was among five players tied at 10 under.

The gusty wind and a strange sequence changed all that. And Scheffler needed three clutch putts for a 72 just to get into the playoff matching 25-yearold standouts and close friends.

Burns’ seven-stroke comeback matched Nick Price in 1994 for the biggest in a final round to win Colonial.

The playoff began with both driving into the fairway at No. 18, the same hole where just moments earlier Scheffler made a 6-foot par after his approach on his 72nd hole went into the bunker.

Scheffler got on the green with his approach in the playoff, but was 36 feet away. Burns hit just off the back edge of the green and used his putter, with the ball curling the last few feet into the cup. Scheffler made a good run with his putt, but didn’t have a birdie all day.

It was the third win this season for Burns, and his fourth overall in his last 27 starts. The world’s 10th-ranked player won at Valspar for the second time in March.

The Colonial win was worth $1,512,000, along with a plaid jacket and a custom-built Schwab Firebird Trans Am. Masters champion Scheffler was going for his fifth victory in his last 10 starts.

He missed becoming the first player since Tom Watson in 1980 with five wins in a PGA Tour season before the start of June.

Burns was 5 under on the front nine to make his turn at 9 under. He had birdie at No. 11, but then had bogey after a wayward tee shot and a penalty stroke.

He parred out and then waited.

After Scheffler’s first putt at the 17th went 8 feet past the hole, he pumped his fist when he made the par save. That was even more emphatic than his reaction when he also pushed a birdie attempt 9 foot past at No. 15 and also saved par there.

Brendon Todd (71), who played in the final group with Scheffler, gave up his share of the lead with backto-back bogeys at Nos. 11 and 12. That dropped him to 8 under, where he stayed to finish in third alone. That was a stroke ahead of Tony Finau (67), Davis Riley (69) and Scott Stallings (72).

Temperatures were again in the mid-90s with sustained winds of more than 20 mph gusting to more than 30 mph, much like Saturday. The greens got firmer, and the wind made it even more difficult to get on — and to putt when players did.

There were five players tied at 10 under after the final groups made the turn, and then a long gap of time between shots for Scheffler when he briefly regained the solo lead.

Stallings birdied the 631yard 11th to get to 10 under before he flew his approach over the No. 12 green onto a slope where his view to the grew was obstructed by a temporary TV tower.

After getting a drop from that, relief from standing on a sprinkler head and then even more relief from a temporary sign, Stallings was 43 yards from the hole with a direct line to it.

But his approach came up short and he ended up with bogey.

PAGE 18, Monday, May 30, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

REAL Madrid’s Marcelo lifts the trophy as players celebrate winning the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Real Madrid wins the Champions League final marred by crowd chaos

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — Yet another Champions League title for Real Madrid, the undisputed king of Europe.

Yet another showpiece European soccer game tarnished by chaotic crowd issues and disorder.

Madrid became European champion for a record-extending 14th time — double the number of any other team on the continent — after beating Liverpool 1-0 in a final that started 37 minutes late because of disturbing scenes outside the Stade de France on Saturday. It evoked memories of the violence that marred the European Championship final at Wembley Stadium 10 months ago.

Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior was the match-winner, applying a close-range finish in the 59th minute from Federico Valverde’s drive across the face of goal, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois took just as many plaudits by making breathtaking saves by Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

“Today nobody was going to get in my way,” Courtois said. “I was going to win a Champions League no matter what.”

It gave Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti a fourth European Cup title, the most ever for a manager in the competition’s history, and completed the Champions League-La Liga double for a Spanish giant

for whom winning titles is ingrained in its culture.

And this time, there was no need for the kind of stirring comeback that Madrid had to produce in getting past Paris Saint-Germain, defending champion Chelsea and Manchester City in the knockout stage. It might go down as the most grueling run to the title in the long history of the competition “We are the best,” Madrid striker Karim Benzema said. “It was a very difficult competition for us and we deserved to win this final. With all the history this team has, we showed everyone that we are always here.”

Liverpool’s players finished a season that promised so much — a week ago, it was in contention for an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies — with just the two domestic cups in England to show for their efforts.

They lost out on the Premier League title by one point last weekend and the Champions League to a Madrid team that had one shot on target in the final.

Playing its 64th game of the season, Liverpool just couldn’t find a way past Courtois, who tipped Mane’s first-half shot onto the post and produced an even better save to turn away Salah’s effort in the 81st.

It’s unfathomable that Liverpool, which owns one of the most devastating attacks in world soccer, has

REAL Madrid’s Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric, from left to right, pose with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match. Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 1-0.

(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

REAL Madrid’s Vinicius Junior holds the trophy after the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein) failed to score a single goal season at the moment,” in its three cup finals this Liverpool manager Jurgen season. The Reds won the Klopp said.

Liverpool’s players stayed FA Cup and League Cup via penalty shootouts after on the field to watch Marcelo, Madrid’s serial winner 0-0 draws after extra time.

“In the dressing room, of trophies who didn’t even nobody feels it was a great play a minute of the final,

given the honor of lifting the trophy to a backdrop of fireworks and tickertape.

Marcelo is one of a slew of Madrid players to capture a fifth Champions League title, just one off the record held by Francisco Gento, a Madrid great from the 1950s and ‘60s.

For many, especially Liverpool fans, pre-match crowd problems overshadowed this final, though, and are sure to be the focus of an investigation by UEFA and authorities in the coming days.

Riot police fired tear gas and pepper spray at Liverpool supporters forced to wait in long lines to get into the biggest club game of the European season, whose kickoff was delayed.

UEFA blamed the chaos on people trying to get into the stadium without legitimate tickets.

“In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles,” UEFA said in a statement.

Some fans climbed fences surrounding the stadium to get in. Others barged their way past security and sprinted onto the concourse before getting wrestled to the ground.

Riot police with batons and riot shields ran from gate to gate to prevent pockets of fans forcing their way into the stadium.

“I’ve got really bad asthma and I’ve been tear gassed twice,” Liverpool fan Angela Murphy told The Associated Press through a fence. “I’m really struggling.”

About 15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff of 9 p.m. local time, an announcement was made that there would be a delay.

It was greeted by jeers inside the stadium.

Liverpool said it was “hugely disappointed” with the security issues experienced by its fans which were reminiscent of last summer outside Wembley before the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. That was largely due to England fans aggressively trying to get into their home stadium.

“I know families had real struggles to get into the stadium,” Klopp said. “We will leave it for the investigation to figure out ... Obviously it was pretty tricky out there.”

FOREST BACK IN ENGLAND’S TOP FLIGHT FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 1999 LONDON (AP) — Two-time European Cup winner Nottingham Forest is back in the top flight of English soccer for the first time since 1999.

Forest beat Huddersfield 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium yesterday to secure its return to the English Premier League next season.

The most lucrative match in soccer — it’s worth 170 million pounds ($215 million) in future broadcast money and guaranteed earnings — was settled by an own-goal by Huddersfield defender Levi Colwill just before halftime.

Forest had a late scare when goalkeeper Brice Samba was injured and replaced in the 89th minute by American Ethan

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Horvath, who made his first appearance since March 20 in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

Huddersfield, which had two strong penalty appeals waved away in the second half, finished the regular season in third place — one spot ahead of Forest — as it sought a first return to the Premier League since relegation in 2019.

Forest joins champion Fulham and second-place Bournemouth in getting promoted from the Championship.

Forest is a big name in English soccer, having won back-to-back European Cups, in 1979 and ‘80, under Brian Clough.

But it fell on hard times, even becoming the first ever European Cup-winning club to fall into the third division of a domestic league system.

Forest did it the hard way this season, too.

The team was in last place — with six defeats and a draw from its first seven games — when Steve Cooper took charge in September and the former Swansea manager has transformed Forest’s fortunes.

Asked to assess Cooper’s contribution to promotion, Forest

captain Joe Worrall said: “I keep using the expression ‘like a whipped dog.’ If you treat any dog with kindness, then they become a nice dog. If you mistreat one, then they’re aggressive, and we were. We’ve been a mistreated team.

“He’s come in and he’s given us that hope, given us that belief and he’s just been so nice. He’s just killed us with kindness and the fans absolutely adore him.”

Colwill, a center back on loan from Chelsea, was unfortunate to put the ball through his own net in the 43rd minute after a teasing cross from Forest striker James Garner.

NOTTINGHAM Forest players celebrate winning promotion to the English Premier League following the Championship playoff final against Huddersfield, at Wembley Stadium, London, yesterday.

(Steven Paston/PA via AP)

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 30, 2022, PAGE 19

CONCERNS OVER POLICE AGGRESSION TOWARD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANS

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer PARIS (AP) — Tear gas fired indiscriminately around children and the elderly.

Pepper spray unleashed at close-range on frustrated fans. Ticket holders blamed for delaying kickoff when they’d spent hours trying to enter the stadium in bottlenecks in tight spaces.

Liverpool supporters have been defending themselves against accusations

by French authorities they were responsible for the unrest at the Champions League final amid overcrowding outside the Stade de France caused by operational failings on Saturday.

The British government called the treatment of the fans “deeply concerning.”

UEFA officials spent the hours after Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in talks about the chaotic scenes that delayed the start of the final for 37 minutes in the

biggest club match of the year.

Even as the final started, riot police were firing rounds of tear gas immediately outside the stadium doors into wide open spaces to disperse any lingering people around Gate U. The French ministers for the interior and sports blamed ticketless Liverpool fans trying to force their way into the stadium, contrary to the scenes witnessed by reporters of people who appeared to be local youths climbing over fences. “Get down,” Liverpool supporters could be heard shouting.

“The stigma around English fans is being used by the French public authorities for cheap political gain,” Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The closing of gates sparked concerns among hundreds of fans outside

the Liverpool section but little obvious aggression from them. Hostility by police appeared to inflame frustrations.

Problems had been encountered even before getting to the final turnstiles with entry points into the wider perimeter blocked off, forcing fans through narrow passages that caused bottlenecks.

While UEFA blamed fans arriving late for delaying kickoff in stadium announcements greeted by jeers, thousands from Liverpool were seen arriving hours before the game to be greeted by organisational disarray in the heat of the late afternoon.

The congestion was partly caused by fans being diverted to a small entrance rather than a bigger one 150 metres away, said Evain, who advises UEFA on supporter issues. “There have always been mobility problems around the Stade de France,” Evain said.

ANTHONIQUE Strachan in action.

ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN 3RD IN 200M AT THE PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net ANTHONIQUE Strachan continues a resurgent season with standout performances in some of the biggest stages in track and field.

Strachan finished third in the 200m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, - the third meet in the 2022 Diamond League series.

Strachan’s time of 22.76 seconds finished 3rd behind Jamaica’s ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce in 22.41 and Brittany Brown of the United States in 22.74.

“My overall plan for the race from the start was to try to get as much separation as possible,” she told FloTrack following the race.

“I sort of executed that and I also sort of didn’t but it was a great race all in all, can’t really complain about that.”

The Prefontaine Classic offered a preview of the star power that can be expected when the World Athletics World Championships returns to Oregon July 15-24.

Strachan said she has a specific point of emphasis to work on for the remainder of her season.

“My starts. I’m notoriously known to be a terrible starter. “My track record with starting isn’t the best.

Usually it’s hit or miss, and I’m trying to always make it a hit. It wasn’t that bad [this race],” she said. “I’m probably going to train and then I might go to Rome, I’m hoping that I don’t because I’m tired. I just want to train and get ready for Nationals.”

The Diamond League meet in Rome, Italy is scheduled for June 9 while the BAAAs Nationals begins on June 24.

This season, Strachan ran a personal best of 10.99 in the 100m, becoming just the seventh Bahamian female to dip under the 11-second barrier in March at the John Wolmer Speed Fest in Kingston, Jamaica.

She also finished second in the 100m in 11.40 at the JAAA/SDF Jubilee Series 2.1, also in Kingston.

In April at the Velocity Fest 10, World Athletics Continent Tour Challenger Series Meet, Strachan finished third in the 400m in 52.84, just shy of her PB of 52.42, ran in 2016.

Also in April, Strachan defeated Fraser-Pryce in the 200m with her time of 22.55 at the Velocity Fest II - a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger Series Meet in Kingston.

Strachan’s season also includes a semifinal finish in the women’s 60m in her World Indoor Championship debut in Belgrade, Serbia in March.

“We are appalled by the communication by the French public authorities.

Liverpool and Real Madrid fans are the victims of yesterday’s fiasco and are not the culprits here. “Tear gassing people trying to enter the stadium is insane.”

The British government called on UEFA to launch a formal investigation into what went wrong with officials from the stadium and French authorities.

“The footage and accounts from Liverpool fans and the media on

their entry to the Stade de France last night are deeply concerning,” Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said.

“It is in the interests of everyone involved to understand what happened and to learn lessons from these events.”

SPORTS PAGE 20

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022

Athletes qualify for NCAA Track and Field Outdoor National Championships

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

S

everal Bahamian student athletes qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor National Championships following their performances at their respective regional preliminaries last weekend.

The East Preliminaries were hosted at Indiana University’s Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington, Indiana while the West Preliminaries were hosted at the University of Arkansas’ John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The top 12 in each event qualified for the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 8-11 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

The East featured several Bahamian qualifiers in multiple events.

University of Kentucky Wildcats sprinter Megan Moss was an individual qualifier in the 400m and is also a member of the top seeded 4x400m relay team.

She ran a personal best time of 52.07 seconds to finish ninth in the field and earn a qualification bid in the process.

A junior, and member of team Bahamas at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Moss advanced to the National Championships in the

400m for the second consecutive year.

On the final day of competition, she teamed with Karimah Davis, Dajour Miles and Alexis Holmes in the 4x400m to earn the top qualifying spot for the NCAAs with a time of 3:26.90.

It was also a new facility record at the Haugh Complex.

Kentucky head coach Lonnie Greene and assistant coach Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie will field a team of 19 qualifiers to the NCAA Championships.

University of Clemson’s Wanya McCoy also qualified individually and as a member of a relay team.

In the 200m, McCoy ran into a 2.5m p/h headwind but finished

second in his heat with a personal best time of 20.48.

In the 4x400m, McCoy, Cameron Rose, Tarees Rhoden and Aman Thornton finished in 3:03.65 - a new Tigers’ record and NCAA qualifying time.

Tennessee Volunteers grad transfer Charisma Taylor continues her record-setting season with the programme and clinched a spot in the NCAAs triple jump field on a single attempt.

Taylor leaped 13.13m (43’ 1”) on her only attempt and finished fifth overall to qualify for Eugene.

FIU Panthers sophomore thrower Rhema Otabor also

SEE PAGE 13

French Open, page 15

CARTWRIGHT, WILSON AND KEMP EARN FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICA HONOURS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net DENISHA Cartwright, Jahmaal Wilson and Shyrone Kemp earned First Team All-America Honours at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Cartwright led her Minnesota State Mavericks women’s team to a thirdplace finish while Wilson and the West Texas A and M Buffaloes finished second among men at the meet in Allendale, Michigan.

Cartwright continues to etch her name into Maverick history and added a 100m hurdles national championship title to her résumé.

The versatile sophomore sprinter topped the field in 13.35 seconds to become the first Maverick to win a national title in the event in programme history.

After a bronze medal finish in the 2021 championships, Cartwright returned to improve on that performance with a gold medal

SEE PAGE 13

MIAMI Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr watches from the dugout railing between innings of the team’s baseball game against Atlanta Braves on Friday, May 27, in Atlanta. Chisholm was not in the starting lineup.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Jazz returns, Marlins lose finale

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm Jr returned to the Miami Marlins lineup after being sidelined for a week with a hamstring injury.

Chisholm went hitless in his return and the Marlins’ offence outside of Jorge Soler struggled in

a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the series finale yesterday at Truist Park in Atlanta Georgia.

He missed four games with the injury and the Marlins went 1-4 in their last five to fall to 19-26 in the National League East.

Chisholm still leads the Marlins in several categories with a .290 average, 27 RBI, 21 runs, four triples and six stolen bases.

He ranks second on the team with seven home runs and is third with 36 hits and seven doubles.

Chisholm was removed in the top of the third inning of the Marlins 4-3 win over the Braves on May 22 due to left hamstring tightness.

The injury is to the same leg that Chisholm had spiked by Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies in Saturday’s 4-3 loss,

according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com.

Chisholm also missed 16 games of his rookie season with a left hamstring strain.

The Marlins travel to Colorado to open their three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field.

First pitch is set for 4:10pm local time.

Stay tuned.

STAR TRIO LEADS WARRIORS TO 6TH NBA FINALS SPOT IN 8 YEARS

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson drained the 3-pointers.

Draymond Green anchored the defence and even chipped in on the offensive end for a change. Stephen Curry capped off an MVP performance.

The trio that led Golden State to so much success in recent years is whole again and has the Warriors in

SEE PAGE 17

Hindley becomes Davis stops Romero 1st Australian to in 6th, retains win the Giro d’Italia lightweight belt VERONA, Italy (AP) — Jai Hindley accomplished what he so narrowly missed out on two years ago by sealing overall victory in the Giro d’Italia yesterday — becoming the first Australian rider to win Italy’s Grand Tour.

Hindley finished 1 minute, 18 seconds ahead of 2019 champion Richard Carapaz following the concluding individual time trial, which finished next to Verona’s Arena, a Roman amphitheater.

The victory was all the more sweet for Hindley after he entered the final stage of the 2020 Giro wearing the pink jersey only to finish runner-up to Tao Geoghegan Hart. Hindley said that second-place finish haunted him for months afterward.

“I had in the back of my mind what happened

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer

AUSTRALIA’s Jai Hindley kisses the trophy at the end of the 21st stage against the clock race of the Giro D’Italia yesterday.

(Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP) in 2020 and I wasn’t going to let that happen again,” Hindley said.

Carapaz finished seven seconds ahead of Hindley in the time trial but Hindley had entered the final day with an advantage of 1:25.

“I was getting updates and I felt pretty good on the bike,” Hindley said.

Hindley struggled last year with injury and sickness and withdrew midway

SEE PAGE 13

NEW YORK (AP) — Gervonta Davis seemed annoyed enough by all Rolando Romero’s talking to lightly shove him off the stage at their weigh-in.

He hit Romero a lot harder Saturday.

Davis regained his knockout power and retained his lightweight title Saturday night, stopping Romero in the sixth round.

Davis landed a crushing left hand near the corner and Romero fell forward into the ropes. He struggled and got up but was wobbly the whole way and referee David Fields ended the fight. “The crazy thing is that I didn’t even throw it that hard. He just ran into it,” Davis said.

Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) had to go the distance in his last win for only the second time in his career, and Romero said that showed the three-division champion was vulnerable.

If Davis was, it wasn’t for long. He appeared to hurt his left hand on a punch in the fifth round, but there was nothing wrong with it in the next.

GERVONTA DAVIS, left, punches Rolando Romero during the first round of a WBA lightweight championship boxing bout yesterday in New York. Davis won in the sixth round.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Shortly after he left the ring, many fans attempting to depart Barclays Center ran back in toward the arena floor, some even leaping up into the ring in panic after there was a loud noise

SEE PAGE 13