Sports

Swimming In Paradise: “There’s A Process, It Won’t Happen Overnight”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – He’s one of the most decorated swimmers in Bahamian history. Many of the records set by Jeremy Knowles still stand today.

Published

1 year ago

January 17, 2025

Sasha Lightbourne

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – He’s one of the most decorated swimmers in Bahamian history.

Many of the records set by Jeremy Knowles still stand today.

His views on why our CARIFTA performances don’t translate into similar Olympic performances were summed up like this.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that we don’t have as many Olympians making the Olympic team than we should,” Knowles said.

“I think it is more just an education and an understanding of what all it takes to get there, what we are doing regionally and the difference between the two. Proportionately, considering our small nation, I think that it is an appropriate amount of Olympians that we are seeing that are making it to that level to represent the country from our foundation.”

As a three-time olympian he knows first-hand what it takes for a junior athlete to turn pro – and an Olympic qualifier.

Forty-three-year-old Knowles admits a lot has changed since he competed especially on the question of financing.

“I think there’s still more opportunities now when you look at the college aspect of things with NIL (name, image and likeness) even a nonprofitable sport like swimming,” he said.

“There are funds available for athletes to have college education paid for more than then like when I was in school.”

Like so many other Olympic greats, Knowles is optimistic about the future of our Bahamian swimmers.