Monday, July 13, 2009

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'Tribute to a Legend' By KELSIE JOHNSON ~ NG Sports Reporter ~ kelsie@nasguard.com: The success that Thomas Augustus Robinson has had on both the local and international scenes definitely speaks for itself and will not go unnoticed, as the former track and field athlete will be honored for his outstanding contribution to the sport. A special 'Tribute to a Legend' luncheon, hosted by the friends of Thomas Augustus Robinson Committee, is set for Sunday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Hotel. During this time, his achievements in the sport will be highlighted. Robinson is now 71-years-old. The legend himself, Robinson, was the first Bahamian track and field athlete to experience success internationally, starting out with the 1955 Pan American Games where he was a semi-finalist in the both the 100 and 200 meters (m). The following year, Robinson competed in the Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia in the 100 and the 200m. It wasn't until 1957 at the West Indian Federation Games, that Robinson won a bronze medal in the 100m. He was also a member of the 400m relay team. The next year Robinson improved in the 100-yard dash, moving up to silver but the highlight at these British Empire Games was the gold medal in the 200m. Robinson was a semi-finalist, in the sprints, once again in Rome at the 1960 Olympic Games, however he struck gold, in the 100m at the West Indian Federation Games which was held months later. The year 1964 was a record performing one for the sprinter, who moved to the 300m and set a new world record in the 300m in Saskatoon, Canada. Robinson also appeared in the final of the 100m at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Robinson said: "Over the years I have had many, many speaking engagements, and when I speak to young people I like to say that the formula to success not only in athletics but in life is what I call the four Ds - desire, dedication, determination and discipline. "I think the most memorable (part of my career) was the Commonwealth Games, because it was where we got our first gold medal internationally and also because I suppose it was new experience, but equally as important for us was in 1964 when I set a new world record in the 300m indoors, and then that same year when I went to the Tokyo Olympics and became a finalist in the 100m, which at that time I thought I was going to get a medal. I can't say that I have one particular event or games that was the highlight of my career," he added. Robinson's success also brought him notoriety at home. In 1981, the stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre was named in his honor. Several years back, Robinson was enrolled in the National Hall of Fame and his picture appears on the Wall of Fame at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. As Robinson continued to reflect on his 'hay days' he encouraged young Bahamian athletes to focus on their career and to stay away from enhancement-performance drugs. On Saturday evening, six Bahamian athletes will be presented with medals from an international competition where athletes were disqualified from races after their respective doping admissions. There are other cases where Bahamians were moved up the podium due to other athletes being disqualified. "The thing I find most interesting is that athletes have other incentives," said Robinson. "In our day it was only for the love of country and the love of sport. We didn't have, I supposed the financial incentives, so what I will say to young athletes is to set a goal and try and achieve that goal. Once they strive toward achieving that particular goal, it could keep them motivated. "Like I said earlier, for me, it was my desire to get an Olympic medal and that kept me going, so today I will say, 'set the goals, whatever the goals', because I like to think that we ought to set our goals as high as possible. We shouldn't set mediocre goals, we ought to aspire to be the best we can be. That comes through perseverance and the four Ds." The committee comprises of Basil Sands, Nathaniel Adams, Churchill Tener-Knowles, Terry Goldsmith, George Capron, Shervin Stuart, Keith Parker, Mike Sands, Anthony Bostwick Jr., Harrison Petty, Laura Pratt-Charlton, Philip McKenzie, Linda Thompson, Doris Wood, Carolyn Young, Sandra Smith, Angela Watson, Ed Bethel, Sheldon Longley, Stanley Mitchell and Alpheus Finlayson. These members of the committee are encouraging persons to become a part of history by supporting the luncheon. Tickets are on sale for $50.00 per person, and can be purchased from any of the committee members. Friday, June 26, 2009