Bernie Nottage

Bernie Nottage competed in all three sprint events at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He also competed at the 1967 Pan American Games, finishing sixth in the 200 metres. Nottage studied medicine at Aberdeen University in Scotland, where he won Scottish titles in the 100 yds and 220 yards for three consecutive years, 1966-68. He also represented Scotland in four internationals between 1966-69.

On his return to the Bahamas, Nottage started a successful career in obstetrics and gynecology, but he also had strong political leanings. He became the medical director of the newly-established St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Nassau, in April 1986 and in December 1986 was appointed head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology. In 1987 Nottage joined up with the Progressive Liberal Party and was named an MP for his constituency of Bains and Grants Town, causing him to resign some of his medical positions.

Nottage progressed rapidly in the Bahamian political arena. He eventually held several cabinet offices, serving as Minister of Health, Minister of Education, and Minister of Consumer Affairs. He later led the Government Business in Parliament and became Minister of National Security. In 2000 he resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party to become leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR), but lost his seat in parliament in the May 2002 elections.

In the field of sports administration, Nottage was named President of the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association (BAAA) in 1976, and in 1982 was elected president of the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation, serving a second term in 1985. In December 1988 Nottage was elected vice-president of the North American, Central American, Central American and Caribbean Area Association of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). Nottage also served as president of The Bahamas Planned Parenthood Association (1985-89) and was a member of the National Drug Task Force, the National Drug Council, and the working party on National Health Insurance. He was a past president of the Medical Association of The Bahamas and of the Bahamas Doctors’ Union.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.53 (1967); 200 – 21.31 (1968).