By Don Burgess
There is a long list of exemplary athletes over the years who have spoken out against Government for a lack of financing. And Roy Burch wasn't the only athlete last year who complained about a lack of money. Olympic long jumper Tyrone Smith said he was forced into selling cars to help support his dream of making the 2012 London Games. Toriano Wilson's dad bemoaned the lack of support for his son and yet he received an award on Saturday night. The Bermuda Sailing Association had their funding slashed by $140,000 and also complained in this newspaper about what Government had done, yet they also received an award on Saturday night. If Burch wasn't given the award because he spoke out, then that sends the wrong message and it was the wrong decision to deny him the Athlete of the Year award. If it was because the Olympic athlete was deemed not worthy because of his accomplishments, then it calls into question who is worthy. Part of the reason that Stout won the award, according the Gazette, is that he is the world champion. If that's the case, then Government should have given the Female Athlete of the Year award to Teresa Perozzi a few years back when she won the world middleweight boxing title.
There is a long list of exemplary athletes over the years who have spoken out against Government for a lack of financing. And Roy Burch wasn't the only athlete last year who complained about a lack of money. Olympic long jumper Tyrone Smith said he was forced into selling cars to help support his dream of making the 2012 London Games. Toriano Wilson's dad bemoaned the lack of support for his son and yet he received an award on Saturday night. The Bermuda Sailing Association had their funding slashed by $140,000 and also complained in this newspaper about what Government had done, yet they also received an award on Saturday night. If Burch wasn't given the award because he spoke out, then that sends the wrong message and it was the wrong decision to deny him the Athlete of the Year award. If it was because the Olympic athlete was deemed not worthy because of his accomplishments, then it calls into question who is worthy. Part of the reason that Stout won the award, according the Gazette, is that he is the world champion. If that's the case, then Government should have given the Female Athlete of the Year award to Teresa Perozzi a few years back when she won the world middleweight boxing title.
My main question on the Sports Awards is why a politician is determining the winner and not the appointed panel of persons who presumably have knowledge, experience and insight into the athletes and their chosen disciplines?
It would seem that the Sports Awards have suddenly lost their worth in a big way. Will the same happen to the Sports Hall of Fame?
Posted by: Tryangle | March 11, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I agree with Tryangle. If you don't trust the process, why have it in the first place! It's a shame that this has cast doubts over a worthy event.
Posted by: wildrover | March 13, 2009 at 12:43 PM