The golden boys and girls of Barbados returned to a VIP reception today bearing enough medals from the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah to cause problems for the airport security scanners and bringing beaming smiles to Ministers Steven Blackett and Chris Sinckler who were present to welcome the vintage heroes.
Minister Blackett who took over the Ministry of Social Care from Sinckler, first had to welcome home the former minister who was returning from an econmic meeting in Washington. In a twist of irony, Sinckler arrived on the same flight as the athletes to provide a symbolic passing of the baton to Blackett.
Blackett indicated that the economic times had seen the Barbados team reduced to 21 competitors but they still managed to capture 73 medals from 83 events which coordinator Rawle “The Diplomat” Clarke analysed as remarkable since Barbados had won 83 medals from 102 events in 2009.
Clarke also pointed out that the weather conditions were very challenging for the Bajan athletes who demonstrated tremendous spirit with the rain pouring in very large and chilly drops. The Bajans also suffered the trauma of witnessing two boys being struck by lightning just a hundred yards away with the pair suffering serious burns to the head and shoulders.
Minister Blackett promised Government’s continued support of the athletes since their performance maintained Government’s promotion of healthy and active lifestyles and the seniors helped to maintain Barbados’ stock in the world of being a nation of high standards.
“Your performances exemplifies the very best of Barbados,” Blackett told the proud athletes.
Clarke later pointed out that the junior athletes could learn something from the seniors as the juniors were coming down with a number of injuries while the medical staff was commenting that the seniors were only suffering with muscle spasms.
Clarke was particularly pleased with the support of the 11-member guest support crew and overseas-based John Brooks who continued to give great advice and support to the Barbados team. Brooks also won four gold in the 55 to 59 track and he took silver in the road race.
Newcomers Anthony Burrowes and Henderson Waltress fulfilled expectations by winning a total of 11 medals in the 50 to 54 group
Perennial perfomer Ainsley Lovell fought through a hamstring injury to bring home four gold, two silver and one bronze, while Shirley Harper who had missed last year’s games, returned to action and her rivalry with the Canadians and American to blaze to three gold, three silver and one bronze.
The most vintage athlete in the team, Kathy Harper-Hall, was proud and loud in proclaiming that she had kept her word in performing in the 70 to 74 age group garnering three gold, three silver and one bronze.
There were seven medals in table tennis. Carl Sealy won the singles and then teamed up with Wilmont Goddard to take the doubles, and other medals came from Chris Banfield (silver in singles) and Courtney Springer (silver in doubles). Sealy also took silver in the mixed doubles with Verna Edwards and a bronze in the rated singles, while Courtney Springer won bronze in the randon mixed doubles.
Barbados took part in archery for the first time with Pedro Thomas taking a silver in the 50 to 54 and Janos Pfendtner bronze in the 70 to 74 age group.