The Golden Knights' visit to Grand Bahama required much organizing and on-island travel in order for them to be seen by as many locals as possible.

The Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) was happy to oblige organizers by letting them use the company parade float, which was already well-known as star of this year's Independence parade.

As many will remember, the impressive float project was spearheaded by Shipyard employee, Anjoun Armouly, and a team of dedicated staff at the yard. The float was so impressive that Cecil Thompson, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Grand Bahama, remembered it when it came time to organize the celebration day for the Olympic Team while on Grand Bahama.

He contacted the CEO of GB Shipyard, Carl Rotkirch, to ask to use the float and of course, GBS was happy to do this. The staff upon hearing this news worked all night to remodel the float especially for this occasion, so it would be fit for our Olympic champions.

The Golden Knights arrived at the shipyard around lunchtime, and staff welcomed them in the staff cafeteria.

It seemed like a celebrity event with many cameras flashing and everyone eager to jump in to get a picture with their favorite Olympic athletes. The Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Danny Johnson, led in the delegation, comprised of the athletes; Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller, as well as Miss Grand Bahama and other dignitaries.

Rotkirch greeted the stars saying, "We are very happy to have the gold medalists here, you really did a magnificent job. The 4 x 400 relay is the king of the track and field sports and you did us proud. We are very happy to have you on our float, it is our pleasure to supply this for your use today."

Rotkirch said that GB Shipyard has always put a priority on their community involvement with athletics. Their main focus spent supporting the athletics program at Eight Mile Rock High School, which is situated close to the yard.

Additionally GBS annual fishing tournaments support local schools in need, this year assisting Freetown and High Rock by using the proceeds of that event to buy equipment and help improve the grounds and the sports fields. Within the company, support is continued with their own basketball team, "The Crusaders," where many employees participate in the local basketball league.

The Golden Knights visited other industrial facilities and then continued through town on the float so that Bahamians on the island could personally greet and congratulate them on their amazing performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games.