Gambia’s Gina Bass is the ultimate athlete. In Gambia, she is seen as a messianic figure who had come to save what felt like a “failing” sport a few years ago and she has lived up to that quite well.

The sprinter is Gambia’s most renowned athlete. With so many continental honours to her name, she has now set her sights on replicating that level of success at the Olympic Games in Paris.

When Bass crossed the 200m finish line at the recent Continntal Games, she immediately fixated her eyes on the clock that hang high up over the Legon Stadium in Accra. She had finished first and won the gold medal, but the celebration was muted: all she cared about was the time. Then it came up… 23.13s.

It was an unpleasant cocktail of ebullience and moderate chagrin. In 2019, she had run faster (22.58s) to earn the gold medal so she knew it could’ve been better. Then again, the 200m event in Ghana was only her first outdoor race of the season. The time mattered, yet it didn’t matter. She let out a sardonic smile and then proceeded to congratulate her competitors on the track before draping herself in her country’s flag.

Bass also won the women’s 100m for the sprint double. “It has motivated young athletes that are really doing their very best to come up. I know it’s not easy,” she told Olympics.com.

“My country is characterised by its fondness for sports.” We have an abundance of talented athletes, including myself and many others who are and will be exceptional athletes. I sincerely hope that one day an athlete in my country will surpass me in terms of their accomplishments. The reason for her reflection was that she observed numerous gifted athletes in Gambia.

Bass’ name may be on the lips of numerous Gambians and track and field enthusiasts throughout the African continent at present. She has come a long way from the position she was in a few years ago, when she was nicknamed “The Poorest Olympian” by many, including her own compatriots.