Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas won the Olympic 400 metres title on Thursday (August 5), ending the United States’ seven, consecutive hold on the event at the 2020 Tokyo Games in Japan.

Gardiner, the Doha World champion, ran a blistering 43.82 seconds to become the first-ever Bahamian man to medal gold in an individual event.

The reigning world champion added the Olympic title to his growing list of accolades by besting a quality field that included former champion Kirani James and rising US star Michael Norman.

Colombia’s Jose Zambrano finished second in 44.08s for the silver medal, with James, returning from a battle with Grave’s disease, adding the full set over three Olympics, bagging bronze in 44.19s.

Gardiner got this nose in front and had to fight off a strong challenge from James and Zambrano in the final stretch of the race, with Norman slipping after a fast start. 

Young Jamaican prodigy Christopher Taylor finished sixth representing the island in a personal best time of 44.79s.

Banking on his experience from the last four years to produce the best run of this career, Gardiner copped the first Olympic gold medallist in an individual men’s event for the Bahamas.

In a statement, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque hailed Gardiner and 110m gold medal recipient Hansle Parchment from Jamaica for their respective victories.

“Congratulations to Steven Gardiner of The Bahamas on his victory in the 400 metres at the Olympics and to Hansle Parchment of Jamaica for his victory in the 110-metre hurdles. Our athletes continue to do our region proud!” LaRocque said.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas’ next prospects at a medal rest on the shoulders of Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who contests tomorrow’s final of the women’s 400m final.