The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL sporting icon Thomas Augustus Robinson left so many fond memories of his exploits as an international sprinter before he died Sunday after a long illness at the age of 74. He will be remembered at a state-recognised funeral, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Christie, in his tribute to Robinson, said that because of his uniquely important contribution to the history of sports in the Bahamas, the Cabinet office will announce plans for his funeral service shortly.

Robinson represented the Bahamas in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1956. At the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, he won gold in the 200 yard dash and silver in the 100 yard dash. He again won silver in the 100 yards in the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He also captured the gold medal at the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games.

The University of Michigan star from 1958-1961, winning multiple team and individual Big 10 championships during his tenure, was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honour in 1985.

The Bahamas Government honoured him by naming the track and field stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. He was also named the sports ambassador for the Bahamas and was a representative at a number of events after his retirement.

In 1989, Robinson was one of five people who were inducted into the initial National Hall of Fame along with Sir Durward Knowles, Cecil Cooke, Andre Rodgers and Elijah Obed.

Today, tributes were pouring in for Robinson.

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) president Mike Sands said he remembered when he first met Robinson in 1970.

“He was very instrumental in my success as a track athlete and as an administrator,” said Sands, who was just recently re-elected as president. “It’s just sad that at the same time that we are celebrating the success of Anthonique Strachan, we are reflecting on the life of Thomas Robinson.

“He was indeed a gem. He was a living legend. He was my friend, my confidant, but more importantly, a true ambassador for the Bahamas. He was a national hero. I remember how Tommy Robinson wasn’t concerned about any accolades. He just wanted to assist with the development of sports in whatever way he could.”

Robinson was a key figure in the committee that laid out the plans for the construction of the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, a deal that was negotiated by the Progressive Liberal Party with the People’s Republic of China. However, the Free National Movement officially opened the stadium in February.

Perry Christie, in his tribute, said he was deeply saddened by Robinson’s passing, noting that it was a great personal loss for him because he was one of his oldest and dearest friends. But he added that it was an even greater loss for the country.

“As the pioneer of international track competition for the Bahamas, Tommy was the elder statesman of Bahamian athletics. He was a sporting hero of truly legendary status,” said Christie, a former track and field athlete himself.

“He was in a class by himself, revered by all. Although Tommy had many stellar moments in his career as a sprinter, his finest moment came in 1958 at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales where he was the sole entrant from the Bahamas, carrying in the flag for his country at the opening ceremonies all by himself, without either coach or manager.”

At those games, Robinson went on to win the gold medal in the 220 yards and the silver medal in the 100 yards sprint, in what was heralded as a singular moment for the Bahamas.

“It filled us all with tremendous pride and united us all in joy,” Christie said.

“Of more enduring consequence, Tommy’s victorious performance against overwhelming odds in Cardiff inspired successive generations of young athletes to compete on the world stage. Tommy proved not only that we were good enough to take part, but that we were good enough to win.”

Robinson also went on to become the first Bahamian to represent the Bahamas at the Olympics in track and field. His initial appearance came in Melbourne, Australia in 1956, but it was four years later in 1960 in Rome where he again made history by advancing to the final of the 100.

Robinson later competed in the Tokyo Games in 1964 and the Mexico City Games in 1968.

If that wasn’t enough, Robinson also inked his name in the world record books in the 300 metres at an indoor meet in Canada.

Christie called Robinson an icon for the ages. He said Robinson will continue to stand as a singular example of the greatness that can be attained in any area of human endeavour, be it athletic or otherwise, when natural talent is harnessed to discipline, courage, determination and patriotic responsibility.

“I mention this latter quality in particular (patriotic responsibility) because wherever Tommy went in the world as the standard bearer for the Bahamas, he always did us exceptionally proud,” Chirstie said. “He was a model of first class decorum and exemplary bearing both on and off the track. He consistently reflected the very best of the national character and, in so doing, set the standard for generations to come.”

On behalf of his wife, Bernadette, his family and on behalf of the government and the people of the Bahamas, Christie extended his deepest condolences to the family of Robinson.

Dr Hubert Minnis, leader of the Free National Movement, also expressed his condolences.

“As the national coordinator of the building project for the national stadium, Thomas A Robinson, with zeal and commitment, greatly assisted in the timely completion of the construction, and it was with unabashed celebration that we all witnessed his joy in the accomplishment and completion of that national monument, which bears his name, and commemorates his important achievements,” Minnis said.

Throughout his life, Minnis said Robinson displayed great humility and grace. “He was always approachable, and made himself and his immense expertise available to the hundreds of young people who were drawn to him,” he said. “He was recognised internationally wherever he travelled, and was afforded the highest courtesies, yet always maintained the common touch.

“Today, fifty six years and two days after this national hero made history for our country in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, we cherish the memories left by this outstanding son of the soil.”

On behalf of the Free National Movement, Minnis extended his condolences to Robinson’s immediate and extended family as well as the sporting community as a whole.