Bovell calls for 50m pool

World-rated swimmer George Bovell III, Trinidad and Tobago’s most decorated Pan-American Games athlete with four medals (two golds and two silvers), returned to a hero reception at the Piarco International airport on Monday.

Bovell then made a plea for a 50-metre international aquatic facility for TT swimmers to train for international competitions including the Olympics. Having starred in the just concluded 14th Pan-Am Games in the Dominican Republic, Bovell wrote a golden record-breaking chapter in his nation’s sports history —- something no other has achieved. He received hugs and kisses from close family members and from officials of thre swim  fraternity as well as Joan Yuille-Williams (Minister of Community Development and Gender Affairs), Roger Boynes (Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs), Satish Ramroop (Junior Minister in the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs), Earl Nesbitt (Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs), Douglas Camacho (president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee), Elton Prescott (secretary of TTOC) and officials of  the Amateur Swimming Association. It was a special moment for Bovell and new Pan-American and Commonwealth Individual Medley swimming record holder.

The 20-year-old Auburn University (USA) student received thunderous applause during the many congratulatory speeches delivered at the reception hosted by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs at Millennium Airport’s VIP Lounge. And after receiving the well-deserved kudos, Bovell in his humble manner thanked all those who helped him along his path to glory. He first of all gives thanks to God. “First of all, I thank God for the talent he has blessed me with. I also would like to thank all of Trinidad and Tobago for supporting me. I like to let you know what an honour it is to be able to represent the country at this level,” Bovell said. “I also would like to specially thank Mr Boynes, Chef de Mission (Brian Lewis), and the entire staff of the TT team who give selflessly of themselves so that others can perform at their best. I also would like to send thank you to the people who have helped me in the past- Lucozade and officials of the Amateur Swimming Association of TT,” the 20-year-old phenom said. Bovell has proven that he is one of the greatest swimmers to emerge from the Caribbean and in his moment of celebration, he did not forget the man who guided and nurtured him to the top. He was high in praise of his Piranha Aquatics club coach Anil Roberts, who also served as national coach and travelled with him to the World Championships (Barcelona) and the Pan-Am Games.

The ace swimmer expressed his gratitude to Roberts on Monday. “I would like to send out a special thank you to my coach Anil Roberts who has perfectly prepared me for these Games and also the World Championships in Barcelona. I think we make a good pair. We worked good together and I hope that in the near future that we would be training in Trinidad in a new 50-metre facility at Powder Magazine, Cocorite,” Bovell said. “In Trinidad and Tobago, we have so much natural talent but what we lack is facilities to train and become better swimmers,” the Auburn University, US-based swimmer said. Reflecting on the races and his gold medal performances, the dedicated Bovell, who made all Trinidadians and English-speaking Caribbean people proud, expressed the difficulties and pain associated with such phenomenal performances. With his trademark clean-shaven head and bedecked with his four prized medals hanging from the neck, he evoked much introspection among the faithfuls and gained their approval when he declared: “Sometimes, you forget how hard it was to win those medals. I want everybody to know how great our national team performed considering we had those conditions over there. Everybody did their fastest times and that’s significant. It’s really an honour for us to represent the country and we thank everyone for their support,” he said.