The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THIS week the country will officially commemorate the greatest achievement in Bahamian sports – the historic winning of the first Olympic gold medal.

On Thursday the Bahamas Olympic Committee, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, will honour the 50th anniversary of the gold medal winning performance of legendary skipper Sir Durward Knowles and his crew, the late Cecil Cooke, at the 1964 Games in Tokyo, Japan.

The feat will be celebrated at a luncheon in the Crown Ballroom of Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island from noon to 3pm – 50 years to the day when the duo sailed into the history books by winning the Star class.

BOC president Wellington Miller said the public should be galvanised to support the icons who changed the way sports was viewed in the Bahamas.

“This is something wonderful that took place 50 years ago at the Tokyo Olympic Games and has transformed the lives of every Bahamian. We are grateful for this accomplishment and that results, even 50 years later. We are acknowledging this feat and invite you to be a part of history,” he said.

According to Mr Miller, there will be a number of dignitaries coming from all over the world, including a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, who will present the President’s Medal to Sir Durward, now 96.

“We have several visiting sports dignitaries of the highest order coming to join us in this celebration,” Mr Miller said. “There will be door prizes, a commemorative booklet to mark the occasion, special tribute and gift to Sir Durward Knowles and the family of the late Cecil Cooke. This will be an occasion that will forever be etched in Bahamian history as we share this moment with the world.

“The Japanese Olympic Committee are using the month of October to celebrate their country’s hosting the Olympics that fateful year,” he said. “All we are asking the Bahamian public to do is to come out and celebrate for three hours and I don’t think that’s asking too much.”

Sir Durward, a former vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Association (before it was changed to Committee), said although he has been fortunate to get all of the recognition as the skipper, he knew that he could not have succeeded without the support of Cecile Cooke, who with his wife, was later killed in a car accident.

“I really think this is a great, great honour that will be held on October 23, recognising the first gold medal that has ever been won by the Bahamas,” Sir Durward said. “To be fair, I try to be fair in anytime I say it. I always try to be fair with everybody because I didn’t do it all by myself.”

On the recognition for them he said he is thrilled that all of the sporting bodies and the minister of sports will be there for the ceremony.

“I appreciate Cecil being in the boat with me,” Sir Durward said. “Without Cecil, the medal would not have been won. That’s how far it goes. I’m not taking full credit for sailing the boat. But the first people the reporters talk to is the skipper. I take the responsibility.”

Tim Munnings, director of sports, heralded the celebration as a true national event.

“Because of the significance of the achievement and the significance of the persons involved, Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson has graciously agreed to let the ministry partner with the BOC because this is not just a sporting event, this is not just a sailing event, this is a national event,” he said.

“This milestone was a catalyst for all the athletes that are now winning medals because it set the benchmark for athletes saying ‘if that was done then, we can do it now’.”

This week The Tribune will be looking back at the historic Olympic moment in a series “Golden Anniversary”. Today in Sports - the twists and turns on the voyage to Tokyo gold.