Steven Gardiner

Steven Gardiner was born on September 12, 1995, in Murphy Town, Central Abaco, Bahamas. In his youth, Gardiner competed in volleyball alongside track and field. A coach suggested he focus on the 400m due to his height, which proved to be a pivotal decision for his career in sprinting. He developed his early skills at Moores Island All-Age School with the Exterminators Track and Field Club, under the guidance of Pastor Anthony Williams.

Gardiner’s career progressed rapidly. He participated in the 2014 CARIFTA Games, earning silver in the 4x100m relay and bronze in the 4x400m relay. That same year, he competed in the World Junior Championships. His breakthrough year came in 2015 when he transitioned to the 400m, becoming the youngest Bahamian to run under 45 seconds. He achieved his first senior medal at the 2015 IAAF World Relays, contributing to a silver medal for the Bahamas in the 4x400m relay.

Gardiner further solidified his position in athletics by winning the 400m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships with a national record of 43.48 seconds, making him one of the fastest in history. He then secured an Olympic gold medal in the 400m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In 2022, he set a world best in the indoor 300m with a time of 31.56 seconds. In April 2025, he joined the Grand Slam Track as a racer in the Long Sprints event category.