Nassau BAH - On Saturday evening at the Whyndham Nassau Resorts and Crystal Palace, five Bahamians were officially inducted into the Central American and Caribbean Track and Field Hall of Fame.

They include former CAC and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations President Bernard Nottage, CAC and BAAA General Secretary Livingston Bostwick, 1992 Olympic triple jump bronze medalist Frank Rutherford, 1995 World high jump champion Troy Kemp and International Association of Athletic Federation Council member, 2000 Olympic champion and silver medalist Pauline Davis Thompson.

During the induction ceremony, Minister of State for Sports Byran Woodside said the night was a fitting one to honor the five inductees.

He said the passion, dedication and commitment of these people cannot be paid for as they did it all to represent The Bahamas and pave the way forward for many.

"We are lacking in some degree of our sports infrastructure, our endowment funds that stands at 2 million dollars is not enough and yet we continue to do well in all arenas of sports," said Woodside.

Woodside thanked Nottage, Bostwick, Kemp, Rutherford and Davis-Thompson on behalf of the Bahamian people for their outstanding contribution in sports.

CAC President Victor Lopez said the individuals has displayed leadership for the region and has represented the region well by being role models and ambassadors.

"Each member Federation was given a form to submit names for person to be inducted into the CAC Hall of Fame and the names submitted by The Bahamas were no surprise."

"We must honour persons for their outstanding contributions before they die to let them know how we feel," said Lopez.

He said the region would not induct anyone who has disgraced the sport and thus far all of the persons who have been inducted have class. Lopez said the region has grown over the years. St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the Carifta Games and won a world gold and also Turks and Caicos Island won medals at the Carifta level for the first time.

BAAA Lifetime achievement coach, Keith Parker spoke on behalf of Nottage.

Parker relived moments of Nottage's career as an athlete competing back at the 1968 Olympic games in the 100 meters and 4x100 meter relay along with Thomas Robinson, setting a national record that stood for 26 years.

He also said because of the leadership of Nottage, The Bahamas was able to host the Carifta Games, CAC senior and junior championships and the Pan America Junior championships.

Nottage thanked the CAC for the honour and the Bahamian people who came out to celebrate with him.

Winton 'Gus' Cooper spoke on behalf of Livingston Bostwick, Phil Smith on Frank Rutherford, Alpheus 'Hawk' Finlayson on Troy Kemp and Former Minister of Sports, Neville Wisdom on Pauline Davis-Thompson.

They all spoke highly of the honourees for their outstanding performances and commitments to the development of track and field in The Bahamas and the region.

Davis-Thompson came to tears, as she was the last to be inducted. She relieve her career dating back to 1984 when she made her first appearance at the Olympic games in Los Angeles and in her fifth appearance in Sidney won a silver and gold medal.

Davis-Thompson said five has always been her lucky number having won her first world outdoor medal, silver at the 1995 IAAF World Championships in the 400 meters.

She thanked God for strength as she nearly lost her life, but her daughter did not make it.

"All of those who have stood by me through good times and bad, I thank you."

All those who have tried to hold me down, I thank you because your negativity has motivated me and look where I am today," said Davis Thompson.