ALEC BURNS, father of Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Marc Burns, yesterday expressed his delight upon hearing the news that his son will be bestowed the honour of the Humming Bird Medal Gold during the Independence Day Awards Ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.
Marc Burns was a member of the national men’s 4x100-metre relay team who got bronze at the recent Olympic Games in London, England, along with Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson.
The quartet, who were all part of the 4x100m relay team who claimed silver in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, got the Humming Bird Medal Silver during the 2008 Independence Day Awards. Alec Burns was pleased with the honour shown towards his son.
“A national award is always something that you feel proud of,” said the elder Burns. “Not (much) people get the honour to receive those things so when it happens you feel good. We are very elated, and it’s the second time that he’s actually got one.”
Marc Burns was named as the official flag-bearer by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) for the opening ceremony of the London Games, as he was featuring in his fourth Olympics. “It’s a culmination,” was how Alec Burns described the honour. “Marc has been representing Trinidad from since a junior. Two medals he (got) in World Juniors, silver and bronze in the sprints, he has gotten World Championship medals (silver in the 4x100m relays in 2001, 2005 and 2009).
“It’s a model of consistency and you don’t really get that all the time from an athlete, so it’s something to be proud of,” he continued.
“His only individual medal was a Commonwealth (Games) bronze in Australia (Melbourne in 2006) but he has been serving Trinidad (and Tobago) well. We are very proud of him, on and off the track.”
By Joel Bailey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt