Bahamas Television
So you can get into the Bahamanian spirit for the IAAF World Relays, here’s our guide to bringing the atmosphere (and sunshine) of the Caribbean track festival to your living room.
1. Clothing
To embrace the event like a true Bahamian, be sure to don an Aquamarine coloured T-shirt. Aquamarine – which along with black and gold is one of the three colours of the Bahamas' national flag – symbolises the beautifully coloured sea surrounding countries many islands. The vibrant azure tone proved a popular choice amongst the thousands of fervent local track fans at last year's event.
The more discerning relay enthusiast would be hard pressed to find a better outfit than the Bahamas' traditional junkanoo-style costumes. They are made from crepe paper that is carefully glued to fabric, cardboard or wood. Brightly coloured and often elaborate, they usually consist of headdress, shoulder piece and skirt. Be warned, however, that such creations can often take a year to complete. So, if you haven’t started already...
2. Music
If you want a taste of the vibe, passion and colour of the islands then slap on some junkanoo music. The rhythmic Bahamian sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells and whistles – accompanied by a separate brass section – create an infectious beat. We recommend listening to some Baha Men (we never did find out who let those dogs out) to get a real feel for this distinctly Bahamian experience.
The Baha Men won Best Dance Recording award at the 2001 Grammys for their hit Who Let The Dogs Out?
3. Drink
The national alcoholic beverage is rum, and a Bahamian speciality is the Goombay Smash. Combining rum and apricot brandy with pineapple and orange juice, the concoction can be served in a sling or a collins glass.
It is a sublime mix that manages to both cleanse and muddy the palate in one swig. Just be warned: it is a high-octane combo and we recommend no more than two scoops of the Smash, or else the bizarre vision of 16-team relay race meet might become a head-scratching reality.
4. Food
The next step is to head to the kitchen for a taste of the Bahamas. We recommend the national food of conch (pronounced “konk”); the mollusk’s firm white meat is appreciated by all islanders.
There are number of Bahamian methods for cooking the conch including conch chowder, conch salad or our recommended favourite: conch fritters. These are made with finely minced sweet peppers, onions and tomato paste, and are deep fried and best served with a devilishly hot sauce. We would also suggest serving the Bahamian staple of rice and pea alongside the fritters. Delicious!
TOP TIP: You can use your leftover conch shell as a decorative trumpet
5. Beach feel
You may not be in the Bahamas enjoying the stunning beaches, laid back atmosphere, fresh ocean air and warm sea, but you can easily recreate that Caribbean ambiance with the inventive use of a large bowl.
Simply fill your tub with warm water, adjusting the temperature so that you hit the Bahamian water average of 72°F (22°C). Once the action starts, remove your socks and submerge your feet in said bowl. Shut your eyes and wherever you are in the world it will feel just like the Bahamas. Honest.
If you've been following the steps, your living room should have already started to resemble the above scene
6. Flowers
To dress up your room as authentically Bahamian then head to your local florists and buy a bunch of yellow elder flowers. The national flower of the Bahamas, these tubular shaped yellow flowers have delicate red stripes, meaning if you squint just enough they might begin to look like a running track. Optical illusions aside, they will brighten up any home and add a genuine Bahamian, err, smell to your World Relays experience.
7. Mates
The Bahamian people are known for their generosity of spirit and friendliness. So don’t be shy, invite some friends over to watch the action unfold and cheer on the world’s best athletes such as Usain Bolt and Asbel Kiprop during two days of thrilling action at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium!