Shaunae Miller-Uibo returned on the track in impressive fashion

Bahamian track and field legend Shaunae Miller-Uibo returned in impressive fashion, clocking the third-fastest time of her career in the women’s 300m at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.

The world and Olympic champion made a big impression by winning the 300m in a meeting record of 36.07 sec. It was her first indoor race in four years. Her time is the second-fastest in the world for 2026, trailing only the record of 35.94 sec set by Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley two weeks ago.

In the same event on Friday, Gabby Scott of Puerto Rico finished second in 37.77 sec, while Beyonce Defreitas of the British Virgin Islands was third in 38.17 sec.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo has had a slow start to her career in recent years due to childbirth and injuries, but she appears to be close to her peak form. Her personal best in the 300m indoors is 35.45 sec, a world record set at the 2018 Millrose Games in New York.

After her outdoor world title in 2022, Shaunae Miller-Uibo battled injuries and became a mother. Late last year, she announced on Instagram that she would be returning to the track in 2026 and was looking forward to a renewed season. On December 31, 2025, Shaunae Miller-Uibo wrote, “I am grateful for the lessons of 2025. I am ready to prove myself again in 2026 – with humility, hunger for success, and heart”.

If her early season performance is any indication, the 31-year-old will certainly be one to watch this year.

Since the Bahamian’s gold medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, the landscape of the women’s 400m has changed dramatically globally. Several athletes, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States and Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, have broken the 48-second mark, while Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser clocked 48.19 sec to finish in the top three at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s best outdoor time is 48.36 sec, which places her eighth in the all-time rankings. However, her sensational run over the weekend shows that she will be a force to be reckoned with this year, as long as she stays healthy.