By Gerrino Saunders

Sports Writer

On Sunday July 26 at the Wyndham Crystal Palace Ballroom Bahamian track and field legend, Thomas Augustas 'Tommy' Robinson was showered with praise and gifts during a special luncheon held under the patronage of Governor General Hon. Arthur Hanna to pay tribute to the man that holds the title of many firsts in sports in the country.

Robinson was the first Bahamian to receive an athletic scholarship for a major NCAA institution when he attended the University of Michigan in 1957, the first Bahamian to hold a world record which he held in the 300m indoors in Canada in 1964, and the first Bahamian Olympian to run for political office in 1972.

At the age of twenty, in 1958, Robinson shocked the Track and Field world, winning the Gold medal in the 220 yards and the Silver medal in the 100 yards at the British Empire Games in Cardiff, Wales.
 

In 1956 Robinson became the first Bahamian to participate in Track and Field in the Olympic Games, finishing fourth in the first round of the 100m and 200m in Melbourne, Australia.

In 1958, Robinson equaled the new British Empire Games and British All Comers record of 9.5secs in the first round of the 100 yards. In the final he finished second to Jamaica's Keith Gardener in 9.6 secs.

In the semi-final of the 220 yards Robinson ran 20.9 secs to win, establishing a new Games and British Empire and Commonwealth and National record. In the final, running out of the outside lane he won the Gold medal in 21.1 seconds with Gardener finishing second.

In the Rome Olympics of 1960 Robinson made it to the semi-final in both 100m in a time of 10.69 secs the and 200m in a time of 21.67 secs, just missing the final in both events.

Since his success in the 1950’s and 60’s Robinson has been a roll model for many of today’s Bahamian track and field stars and on Sunday hundreds of friends and family showed him how much they appreciated what he has done for the country and for those that followed him.

During the luncheon, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced that when the new National Stadium is completed in July 2011, it will carry the name of Robinson.  The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Robinson on his stellar accomplishments often times a one man team representing the small island nation at world events.

He said Robinson's name will forever shine in the annals of Bahamian sports history as one who blazed a trail of glory for others to follow.

"Tommy was as some described him, our lone soldier in Track and Field for many decades until the name of The Bahamas was further burnished by Frank Rutherford, Steve Hanna, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Eldece Clarke-Lewis, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Chandra Sturrup and Savatheda Fynes and what looks to be a never-ending stream of Bahamian sports talent."
"He was our first gold medalist, our first World Record holder, and for many years our entire team.  The Bahamas owes so much to Tommy Robinson, and today all Bahamians celebrate his wonderful legacy," said Ingraham.

He also talked about Robinson’s continued passion for the sport and for those who follow in his footsteps, as he has become a mentor for many Bahamian athletes, even checking up on their grades and being supportive of them if they win or loose.

He said, "While in an era when so many young people are tempted by raucous ways of negative sub-culture, Robinson still wears his celebrity with character, grace, good humour and an easy going manner."

In recent weeks there have been numerous calls for Robinson to be recommended by the government to be knighted by the Queen of England, making him Sir Thomas a. Robinson.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that he has heard the calls from the public, but said he does not discuss such things publicly; suggesting that the idea would discussed in private.

Last week Ingraham officially proclaimed Friday July 24th as Tommy Robinson Day.

There were quite a number of tributes made including one from Leader of the Official Opposition Progressive Liberal Party, Perry Christie who declared Robinson a “True Legend.”

Christie reminisced about the times when he and other several years younger than Robinson looked up to him and were encouraged by his work ethics and success.

Also making tributes were Cuba's Enrique Figuerola, the 100m 1964 Olympic Silver medalist, Alpheus 'Hawk' Finlayson leader of the committee that organized the tribute.  Olympian Pauline Davis-Thompson gave remarks on behalf of the IAAF President Lamine Diack who said Robinson is a legend because legends are men and women who lift their entire nation.

Romel Knowles spoke on behalf of The Bahamas Olympic Association, Dr. Bernard Nottage former BAAA President and a teammate of Robinson, Canon Rev. Dr. Gervaise Clark the General Secretary of NACAC, and there was a special e-mail message from Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie who was competing on the European circuit.

After being showered with love, praise and gifts for more than four hours Robinson, who has battled cancer in the last year, first thanked God for life. He expressed thanks to the many Bahamian people who have supported him over his career and in his life.

With so many Bahamians receiving scholarships to attend USA based colleges and universities to further their academic and athletic abilities; Robinson said he believes more can be done for sports in The Bahamas.

"It is my further wish as time goes on, more emphases will be placed on sports and I encourage the powers that be to look into this.   A stronger focus on sports is part of the ingredient to correct the social ills in this country that we face today," said Robinson.

He challenged the athletes who are currently representing The Bahamas on the world stage to do so in a “professional” manner.

With a strong Christian belief, Robinson said God has been good to him as he has “touched the stars, embrace the moon and was energized by the sun.”

Robinson lived his life and career around what he calls the four D's, Desire, Determination, Dedication and Discipline which he believes is still the formula for success in sports and in life.

With his famous smile he thanked the Prime Minister for the honour of naming the new stadium in his name. He accepted the honour with “humility and gratitude."  

The committee that organized the tribute also presented the College of The Bahamas with a scholarship for $10,000 in the name of Tommy Robinson.