From Bronze to Gold

THANKS to Sports Minister Roger Boynes, our Olympics bronze medallist George Bovell III almost missed receiving his Chaconia Gold Medal from President George Maxwell Richards at the ceremonial presentation on Tuesday. Much to his credit, however, Boynes has accepted full responsibility for Bovell’s late arrival at the ceremony and has apologised for it to the President. Anxious to get home on time for the awards, TT’s record breaking swimmer had apparently made all arrangements to arrive in Trinidad on Independence Day, even though he had to remain in Athens to lead TT’s delegation at the closing ceremony. And although the BWIA flight from England was late, he made it in the nick of time, arriving at Piarco about 5.30 pm, half an hour before the ceremony at President’s House was due to start.

With a motorbike Police escort to clear the traffic and using the Priority Bus Route, Bovell could have been whisked away from the Airport to St Ann’s in less than half an hour, getting to the awards ceremony at least while the presentations were in progress. Instead, the homecoming Bronze Olympic medallist found himself the guest of honour at an elaborate welcoming ceremony at the Airport organised by Minister Boynes. Ushered into the VIP room, Bovell was regaled by a series of speeches from the Permanent Secretary of the Sports Ministry, Minister Boynes himself and an official of the Olympics Committee. Bovell was even called upon to say something himself and to answer questions from the media. As if that wasn’t enough, the reception continued outside the VIP Room with Bovell meeting a crowd of admirers and autograph-seekers.

On the basis of what we don’t know, but it seemed that Minister Boynes had decided that it was too late for the swimming star to get to the awards ceremony and that a special presentation would have to be arranged at a later date. Meanwhile, at President’s House, a different situation was unfolding, as guests were told that Bovell had arranged to get back home from Athens by the quickest route possible and had every expectation to be there to receive his award. President Richards sought his guests’ indulgence by announcing that the reception would proceed and the presentation would be made sometime after as Bovell had personally expressed the wish to accept the award before the distinguished gathering. What eventually happened? Minister Boynes explained that it was only after he received a call from Bovell’s mother asking him to “hustle it up” that he realised the President and his guests were awaiting her son’s arrival.

The Minister then acted promptly, pulling Bovell away from autograph hunters and taking him straight to President’s House through a heavy stream of traffic. The swimming Bronze medallist arrived about 8 pm in his coloured track suit to rousing applause and hugs. Guests were ushered back to their seats, the dignitaries took their place on the stage and the TT Olympic hero came forward to have the President pin the Chaconia Gold Medal on his track suit and to receive a standing ovation from the distinguished gathering. In many ways, it was a moment to remember. Minister Boynes’ unhesitating apology is welcome, particularly since it is not the kind of action for which politicians are noted. Inspite of the mix-up and although Bovell nearly missed the Independence Day presentation, we may close this historic episode by saying, all’s well that ends well.