THE QUARTET of Lennox Yearwood, Edwin Skinner, Kent Bernard and Edwin Roberts, who were part of the famed Trinidad and Tobago men’s 4x400-metre relay teams (along with Wendell Mottley) of the mid-1960s, were all pleased with the honour bestowed on them at the recently-staged 50 Legends in Sport award ceremony at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel, St Ann’s.
Skinner, Bernard, Roberts and Mottley (in that order) combined for the bronze medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in a time of three minutes 1.70 seconds while Roberts, Bernard, Yearwood and Mottley broke the world record in their gold medal run (3:02.80) at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.
The group, in a recent interview, spoke of the Legends in Sport recognition as well as the TT four-medal haul at the London Olympic Games (in which they were present).
Yearwood, with regards to the Legends accolade, said, “Its one of the best achievements that I have received. (I feel) so privileged to receive it at this time because many times you do not get any type of achievement (until you have) completed your career. Hats off to Trinidad and Tobago.
“It’s important to look back to move forward. And it’s also important to (have) some sense of history, particularly for the youngsters that exist today. They need the know the sacrifices that other Trinidadians have made in these fields. Athletics, as far as we are concerned, is not just athletics, but it provides a scholarship — we got an education. It is a way of life. We think that the role models that are needed, are needed because we need the youngsters to know that there is someone that they could rely on.”
Concerning the historical significance of their record-breaking run, Yearwood pointed out, “Fourty-six years ago, we broke the world record and that’s special for us.
What we see moving forward is that we can use this legacy. The record books can show that we Trinidadians, that a small, tiny nation could achieve (at the) highest level. That is important for youngsters to know, that you live on an island and it doesn’t make them less than anyone else.”
Yearwood also spoke of the achievements in London. “What happened in London was so important, because it shows that even though over the years the trials and tribulations of athletics, you have a lot of issues in terms of support but, at the same time, the talents showed itself, particularly in athletics.
London is a good example that we need to understand that athletics does not really need to begin with the major sports, like the Olympic Games. Athletics need to begin from elementary school, where you have a programme. So it’s important that Trinidad enhance on looking at the youth programmes, so that they could in fact have some kind of culture of the sport.”
He continued, “Athletics is also good because they make a healthy mind, a healthy physical body, emotional stability, good management of time, good organisation. All of these attributes are just, but a few that you can get from athletics.” Skinner, commenting on the Legends honour, revealed, “I feel deeply honoured. Meeting my old buddies, it brought back wonderful memories.”
He added, “I consider it a privilege. I’m deeply grateful, I thank the Lord that I’ve been able to experience this.”
About the 2012 Olympics, Skinner, the lone member of the 1960s team who still resides in Trinidad, said, “like most Trinbagonians, I felt deeply honoured that I was part of that team (as an assistant coach), that we were able as a small country, once again, to excel on the world stage. To be part of the team, I consider myself very fortunate.
“I had a special feeling in life, the ’64 team were just beaten by Great Britain for the silver medal,” he said, adding that he met some of 1964 Britain team and promised to exact revenge.
“And the (TT) team held out Britain for the bronze medal. I did have that extra beautiful feeling that we were able to get that revenge.
“But, much more importantly, it was the best Olympics ever. I was part of the ’64 team which were the first time we (got) medals in track and field and to be part of (this) team.”
Bernard acknowledged, “I’m humbled by being considered in this esteemed group, to be considered a legend, an icon in a sport. I’m sure I’ll be able to tell my grandkids of this accomplishment.”
Regarding the London experience, “I was there. A major accomplishment and I think the kind of things that were put in place, I guess it’s just begun to bear fruit.
“We have a very potent young group of athletes and I hope this is just the start of things that are to come.”
Roberts stated, “I’m very honoured to be one of the recipients. To be among all my colleagues and people that I participated with, in the Pan American Games (and) the Central American Games, was very thrilling.”
He continued, “I was really enthused and excited (about London). I went to the Village and congratulated the guys for getting third in the 400m, 4x100, 4x400.
“I didn’t see the javelin throw (by gold medallist Keshorn Walcott) but it was very exciting. I met Skinner and we talked about it. We went out and we celebrated on it.
Roberts added, “I was there as a strong supporter. I’ve always been a supporter of Trinidad sport with all the youngsters, some of those who were competing and some of those who have competed in the past. I’ll always contribute to my country, honourably, and it’s exciting.
“I think we as a nation have to come together, we have to unite together. We shouldn’t have these tugging and pulling between the officials and the NAAA, or the Olympic Committee. I think we should come as a body and should realise now that we’re not going as individuals, we’re going as a country, united and we should stay united all the way,” Roberts ended.
By JOEL BAILEY
Source: www.newsday.co.tt