Gary Hunt, centre, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs shakes hands with George Bovell III, right, and his brother Nicholas in the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport yesterday.
PHOTO: Anthony Harris

BY CLYDEEN MC DONALD

WHILE the glitz and glamour of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are over following the closing ceremony on Sunday, T&T two silver medals should serve as a solid base for the 2012 London Games.

This was the view of star swimmer, Gorge Bovell III at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport yesterday when Gary Hunt, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, along with other officials of the ministry, gathered to greet some of the returning members of the T&T contingent.

The group, which also included Bovell’s younger brother Nicholas, landed at Piarco at about 6.30 am.

“We have had our most successful Olympic Games ever and this should serve as a stepping stone for future Games,” said Bovell III.

Bovell III, who was T&T representative in the 100 and 50 metre freestyle events, also said that the support which athletes received from the Ministry and the Sports Company of T&T was crucial in ensuring the success.

“The increased support for me, and the other members of the team, prior to the Olympics was the determining factor, making this the country’s biggest success.”

The 2004 bronze medallist in the 200 individual medley also revealed that while he didn’t leave Beijing with any medals, he surpassed the expectation he had set for himself.

“I know I didn’t get a medal. But I surpassed my expectation. I didn’t think that I could have change events and still come out doing this well. I swam a new personnel best in all my events,” said Bovell.

Bovell, who was forced to change from his pet event, the 200m individual medley to the 100m and 50m freestyle, said that the greatest moments of the Olympics for him came when the T&T track and field athletes took two silver medals at the Games.

“The greatest moments for me were Richard Thompson’s silver medal performance in the 100m and the performances of the 4x100m team. Those moments made me even more proud to say I was a citizen of T&T.

Bovell also said that he would use his experience in Beijing to push himself towards a medal at the 2012 Games.

“As I am getting older, I am getting stronger and I feel sure that I would be at the London Games.”