Moments after collecting his Commonwealth Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday night, Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford dedicated his award to the Diabetic Association and promised to help young people deal with healthy lifestyles.
Crawford, T&T’s first Olympic gold medallist, was one of four recipients of the award. He collected his award from Jamaica High Commissioner to T&T, Sharon Saunders. Lifetime awards were also presented to Jamaican sprinters Don Quarrie and Merlene Ottey, and former national hockey player and administrator Dr Iva Gloudon.
Crawford told the audience at the Hyatt Regency facility, he was diabetic: “I dedicate this award to the Diabetic Association, as I am diabetic and suffer from high blood pressure. I am humbled at the recognition, and it will help me to go out there and talk to young people about health lifestyles.”
Quarrie, who placed second in the Montreal Olympic Games of 1976 when Crawford won his gold medal, noted that tradition was important. “I was motivated by Herb McKenley (1948 Olympic champion). I heard stories about him, read about Arthur Wint and George Rhoden.”
Quarrie added that remaining humble was a key to his achievements. “One thing I was able to maintain is that no matter how well I did in sports, once I was home I was just another child. When I went to school, I was just another student and in Jamaica I was just another young boy trying to achieve. That helped me to be grounded.”
In her acceptance speech, Dr Gloudon called for more regard for the academic side of sport, physical education in schools and better trained professionals in sport. “That would make us unbeatable, especially if we had a science to what we do.”
She said the honour was significant as she is no longer directly involved in sport. “It means a lot at this point in my life when I have stepped aside from sport.”  She added that she has been able to transfer many of her successes in sport to her new assignment as High Commissioner to Jamaica. “Once you have achieved in sport, you can achieve anywhere. There are life lessons that sport teaches. It can cause you to transcend just about anything. I put a lot of what I have learnt in sport to use right now as a High Commissioner and it has paid off.”
Ottey was absent and long-time rival and compatriot Grace Jackson accepted the honour on her behalf.  Jackson remarked that Ottey’s longevity in the sport was remarkable and spoke of her commitment to track and field. Jackson said: “We are all waiting on her to write that book about the journey she has taken in track and field. What inspired and continues to inspire her at this age and what really has gotten her to go out each day and train the same way at this stage of her life as she did earlier in her career.
“Clearly something comes from deep within her that allows her to do what she did for so long, and be so dedicated to the sport. She is an inspiration to many and will continue to be our reference point.” Former head of the Commonwealth Games Federation Michael Fennell was named Administrator of the Year. Fennell was happy that administrators were being recognised. “We celebrate our athletes. That comes first, but we should not ignore the support cast. Without having the systems in place, the training and development programmes, the planning and all the other support systems that are necessary, the athletes will not succeed.”
The Jamaica Olympic Committee president added that professional  managers must get involved. “We have more professionals coming in and playing their role. You can now pursue a career in Sports Management and Sports Administration. We have to ensure we put those people in place.”
Source: www.guardian.co.tt