PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Nov 12, CMC – Two-time Olympic women’s 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo told a regional sports leadership conference that women are not asking for preferential treatment, only the same opportunities as men to pursue excellence.
Speaking at the NACAC Gender Leadership Conference and Gala Awards, Miller-Uibo said equality means investment, coaching, facilities, medical care, sponsorships and leadership opportunities.
She also stressed that women should not have to choose between motherhood and ambition, calling for medical care, recovery time, financial support and training environments that understand women’s needs.
The Bahamian star, who won Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020, reflected on her own return to training after giving birth, describing sleepless nights, adjusted schedules and the hidden work of pumping breast milk between sessions.
“Motherhood didn’t take away my ambition; it gave me another perspective, and it taught me another kind of strength,” she said.
Miller-Uibo credited the famous Bahamian “Golden Girls” 4x100m Olympic champions with showing her that women like her belonged on the world stage.
She said young girls need to see role models who look like them already succeeding.
The conference, themed “Leveling the Playing Field: Women Leading in Sports,” also drew sports ministers, federation presidents and Olympic champions, including Michelle Carter and Ana Quirot.
CMC la/26