Bernard Nottage

Bahamian sprinter and politician

Bernard Nottage

Personal information

Nationality| Bahamian
Born| (1945-10-23)23 October 1945
Nassau, Bahamas
Died| 28 June 2017(2017-06-28) (aged 71)
Florida, United States
Sport
Sport| Sprinting
Event| 100 metres

Bernard J. Nottage, MD (23 October 1945 - 28 June 2017) was a Bahamian sprinter, gynecologist and politician.[1][2] He competed in the men's 100 metres and 200 metres at the 1968 Summer Olympics.[3][4] He finished sixth in the 1967 Pan American Games 200 metres.[5]

Dr. Nottage attended the University of Aberdeen.[6] His brother, Kendal, as youth and sports minister, was instrumental in bringing Muhammad Ali to the Bahamas for his controversial last fight in December 1981.[1][7]

## Biography

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Nottage was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on 23 October 1945.[8] He attended the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, studying medicine.[9] Whilst at Aberdeen, he won athletics titles in the 100 yards and 200 yards in three consecutive years in the late 1960s.[4] He also competed internationally for Scotland during the same time.[4]

At the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Nottage finished in sixth place in the men's 200 metres.[10] The following year, at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Nottage competed in three events.[4] He competed in the men's 100 metres,[11] the men's 200 metres,[12] and the men's 4 × 100 metres relay,[13] but did not advance from the heats in any of the events.[3] In the relay event, the team set a new national record that lasted for 25 years.[14]

In 1976, Nottage became the President of the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association, and became the President of the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation six year later.[3] In 1988, he was elected to a vice-presidential regional role of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF).[4]

Nottage returned to the Bahamas and had a career in obstetrics and gynecology.[3] In 1986, he went on to become the medical director at St. Luke's Medical Center in Nassau.[3]

In 1987, Nottage became an MP with the Progressive Liberal Party.[4] His political career continued, and he served as the Minister of Health, the Minister of Education (1990-1992),[8] the Minister of Consumer Affairs (1989-1990),[8] and the Minister of National Security.[15] He was appointed Leader of the Opposition from 1993 to 1997.[8] He was appointed as Minister of National Security from 2012 to 2017.[16] In 2000, he resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party to become the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform party.[3]

He died in June 2017 in Florida, at the age of 71,[4][17] with his body lying in state at the House of Assembly.[18]

## References

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1. ^ a b "Updated: Dr Bernard Nottage Dies Age 71". Tribune 242. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
2. ^ "Nottage Dies At 71". The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
3. ^ a b c d e f "Bernard Nottage". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
4. ^ a b c d e f g "Obituary: Bernard J Nottage, Bahamian international sprinter and politician". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
5. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Bernard Nottage Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
6. ^ "Bernard Nottage". University of Aberdeen. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
7. ^ "Muhammad Ali Says Thanks 30 Years Later". Bahamaslocal.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
8. ^ a b c d "The Bahamas Government". 20 February 2002. Archived from the original on 20 February 2002.
9. ^ "Bernard Nottage". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
10. ^ Full results
11. ^ "100 metres, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
12. ^ "200 metres, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
13. ^ "4 x 100 metres Relay, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
14. ^ "Dr. Bernard J. Nottage, Giant in Regional Athletics Administration Passes". Athletics NACAC. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
15. ^ "Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis hails Dr. Bernard Nottage as a "the ultimate political warrior and patriot par excellence"". Bahamas Press. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
16. ^ "Past and Present Ministers MNS and Bios" (PDF). www.bahamas.gov.bs. Government of The Bahamas.
17. ^ "Funeral for Dr. Bernard Nottage set for July 14". The Bahamas Weekly. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
18. ^ "The body of Dr. Bernard Nottage lies-in- state in the foyer of the House". The Government of The Bahamas. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

## External links

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* Bernard Nottage at Olympedia
* Bernard Nottage at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)