The Tribune

Durward Knowles and Cecil Cooke arrived home to a heroes welcome as Bahamians thronged to greet the country’s first Olympic champions following their victory in the Star class sailing at the Tokyo Games 50 years ago today. It is a feat which will be recognised on Thursday at a gala lunch hosted by the Bahamas Olympic Committee. As part of The Tribune’s series this week marking the anniversary Knowles describes the emotional journey from atop the Olympic podium to being feted in Nassau...

The news of the Bahamian victory spread quickly through the fleet and around the docks. Fellow competitors were happy that a team from such a small country had won a gold. It was a genuine feeling of happiness and respect for a “young island boy.” It was a sincere well done salute to two young sailors from Nassau.

During the run in from the finish line, Durward thought how proud his fellow Bahamians would be when they learned of the victory. He thought of his wife Holly and his three children back home. He thought of his friend Sloane Farrington and all that he had done during his sailing career.

Upon their arrival at the docks, Durward’s team members were waiting for the Star crew. It was evident the celebration had been going on for some time and everyone was in high spirits. Bobby Symonette, Roy Ramsey and Durward’s brother Percy were among the welcoming committee. The winners were quickly tossed into the waters of Sagami Bay. Spirits were at an all-time high.

It was four in the morning when the phone rang. Holly awoke from a deep sleep as the operator explained there was a call from Tokyo, Japan.

“You won the gold medal, eh?” she said to her husband.

Durward didn’t know how to respond. “Well, Holly, you act like its something that happens every day!”

“Not at all my dear, but why else would you call from halfway round the world at four in the morning?” Soon Holly became more awake and expressed her sheer delight.

The medal presentation was packed with all kinds of personal feelings. Durward and Cecil (Cooke) approached the podium and took their positions at the top. They watched as the bronze medal was awarded to Sweden and the silver to the USA.

Then came the moment Durward had worked for his entire life. It was a point in time that would be remembered forever, a time that would be talked about for generations. It was the biggest moment in the history of sport in the Bahamas. As the young island boy leaned forward, the ultimate dream came true. A gold medal was placed around his neck.

Durward Randolph Knowles was an Olympic champion.

He stood erect with the medal proudly resting on his chest as the Japanese band played God Save the Queen. Many thoughts swept through Durward’s mind when the flag was slowly raised. He wished for his family and friends to share the moment. He wished every Bahamian could have been there to share the honour. He wished his father was still alive; he would have been so proud. He wished for his old headmaster, Reverend Dyer, who had been so understanding in the early days.

Durward was overwhelmed with emotion. It was almost too much to handle. Feelings swelled out of control. As Knowles stood there, fighting back the tears, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. It was his close friend, Bob Levin, wildly waving his arms in front of the band, leading them in the playing of God Save the Queen. It was a great day for Durward and a great day for the Bahamas.

Bob Levin, Roy Ramsey and Knowles decided to go home via the Western route. They made stops in Greece, Bangkok, India, Switzerland and London before arriving in the United States. Upon landing in Miami, they received word that a large heroes welcome had been arranged in Nassau and a private plane was being sent for them.

Neville and Dawson Roberts flew to Miami accompanied by Cecil Cooke, who had flown straight home from the Games. With both gold medallists on board, they arrived at Windsor Field, Nassau, on November 9, a Monday, at 3.30 in the afternoon. As the plane circled the field preparing to land, Durward saw huge crowds below. Hundreds crowded onto the observation balcony as they touched down.

The next morning, the Nassau Daily Tribune reported the celebration:

“A glittering welcome awaited Durward Knowles yesterday afternoon when his twin engine private plane landed at Windsor Field. Olympic gold medallist Knowles was astounded by the welcome.

As his plane came in to land, he had a good view of the waiting crowds on both sides of the airport building. The walkway in front of the observation corridor was lined with flags and bunting, a touch that not even Prince Phillip was honoured with during his recent visit.

Members of the Olympic team and welcoming committee gathered on the walkway as the plane taxied to a standstill. About a dozen sea rangers stepped forward to form a guard of honour for Knowles.

The Premier, Sir Roland Symonette, was the first to shake Mr Knowles’ hand. Everyone then crowded forward to shake hands with or kiss the hero. By the time Mr Knowles had walked through customs and the airport lobby to the VIP lounge, his face reflected varying hues of several makes of lipstick.

In the lounge, he paused amid the hubbub and handshaking to say a few words. ‘This welcome is terrific’ was his first comment. Asked about the Tokyo races, he said: ‘The wind and sea conditions were very much the same as in races I’ve been in here. On almost every day, conditions were favourable. There was just one when we had a good deal more wind than sea.’

After a brief press conference, Mr Knowles was then whisked out of the lounge side door where the crowds waited. He was greeted with a burst of applause and the beat of one calypso and two junkanoo bands. The gold medallist was even serenaded with a special calypso written by the famous Count Bernadine for the occasion. It was recorded by Tom Jacobs of Carib Records.

People kept darting from the crowd to shake the medallist by the hand - so many from every direction that Mr Knowles soon grew confused as to what he should do next. He was finally ushered aboard the float where he sat upon a throne-like chair next to his crewman Cecil Cooke. Behind them a sign read, ‘Bahamas first, USA second, Sweden third,’ leaving no doubt as to the value Bahamians placed on his achievement.

The procession of floats, bands and decorated cars then slowly moved away from the airport along the Interfield Road route. Along the way, people in private cars and taxis hailed the two as they passed on the golden float - the most stunning and cunningly made effort in the parade.

As the floats came into town, crowds gathered on the sidewalks to cheer and wave. Thousands watched on Bay Street as the motorcade moved down the island’s main street to Rawson Square, where an equally large crowd had waited for more than an hour.

It was a hero’s welcome.”

Later that evening, a celebration banquet was held at the Montagu Beach Hotel. Durward spoke to the packed house:

“How does it feel to win a gold medal? It is impossible for me to answer the question even though it has been asked of me a number of times. We won the gold medal, but I want all of you to know that this medal belongs to the Bahamas.”

After recognising the great job Cecil Cooke had done, the veteran yachtsman then paid a special tribute to his former crewman Sloane “Bunty” Farrington. “Bunty and I have sailed together for 20 years and I want him to know that he had a lot to do with the winning of this gold medal.”

He thanked his friend Bob Levin: “Bob helped tremendously, and people like Bob Levin are what the Bahamas need. We need help. We need coaches that can train our athletes properly if we are to make a strong showing in other fields in future Olympic events.”

He praised Dr Doris Johnson, who had organised the day’s festivities, and thanked everyone for their recognition and support. “I would like to thank each and every one of you. We did not expect anything as colossal as this. This is a day Cecil Cooke and I will never forget.”

This would not be the only day the champion would be honoured by his fellow Bahamians. Knowles was awarded a citation from the House of Assembly in recognition of his achievement. His close friend Robert H Symonette was then the Speaker of the House and made the presentation. Knowles and Cooke received inscribed copies of a resolution passed by the House to record appreciation of their achievement at Tokyo when they won the first Olympic gold medal ever awarded to a Bahamian.

At another ceremony, Durward was named Bahamas Sportsman of the Year. The award was presented by Senator Etienne Dupuch during a large banquet held at the Montagu Beach Hotel. Upon accepting the four foot tall trophy, Durward remarked, “Next to the Olympics and winning the gold medal, this is the second greatest honour that I could possibly hope to achieve.” Knowles had indeed become a sports hero.

Knowles was often invited to speak at various functions. He was asked to open ball games and take part in many other sporting events as an honorary citizen. A Bahamian postage stamp was issued in recognition of Durward’s Olympic feat. It showed three Star boats at the starting line off Fort Montagu.

His fellow Bahamians held Knowles in high regard. They viewed him with great admiration. Children looked up to him. This respect and admiration has followed Durward Knowles to this day. They recognise more and more what a great achievement it was.

The late Avery Brundage, former International Olympic Committee chairman, was the man who placed the gold medal around Durward’s neck. Decrying nationalism as represented by the number of medals per nation, Brundage observed that in Tokyo if one took medals per capita into consideration, Durward Knowles’ gold medal for the Bahamas was the outstanding achievement at the Tokyo Olympics.

It is said that there are no great men, but only great challenges that ordinary men overcome. The challenge of an Olympic gold medal for a young island boy represented the ultimate. The path from Bay Street, Nassau, to the gold in Tokyo was one of the toughest. The obstacles were far greater than for most who make the journey.

Knowles made that journey. He made it to the very top of the podium. Durward’s gold medal was very special indeed.

“After 1964, I had reached the peak of my career, having won everything that the Star class had to offer: blue, silver, gold stars and now the Olympic gold medal. There are only four of us who have accomplished this: Agostino Straulino, Lowell North, Bill Buchan and myself. That is a great group to be a part of and it makes me feel very proud.”

• Extract from Driven by the Stars - The Story of Durward Knowles by Douglas Hanks Jr (1992)

• Tomorrow: The able seaman - Cecil Cooke’s role in a famous victory.