With beaming smiles and jangling medals, Barbados’ senior athletes returned home Monday night from the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah with an 81-medal haul – two shy of the record 83 gained in 2007.
A host of family, officials and supporters thronged the Grantley Adams International Airport to welcome home the conquering heroes, with archers Martha Padmore and Judy Magras receiving bouquets from members of the archery fraternity.
Spokesman, Olympian Rawle Clarke could not contain his joy as he spoke of the success of the individuals and the teams, while heaping praise on them for obtaining such success with only 22 athletes.
Barbados won 56 gold, 17 silver and eight bronze.
“The dedication and commitment of these athletes was remarkable and we are hoping that Government would give us greater support as some of our competitors would be looking to go on to the Senior Olympics next year,” said Clarke.
Pointing to the cold conditions and the tight schedule which saw Barbados arriving in Utah on the eve of competition, Clarke indicated that with greater funding and support Barbados might achieve even more at the games.
Barbados can boast of real “golden girls” with Senior Games life member Ainsley Lovell, Pearl Yearwood and Shirley Harper grabbing six golds each. Lovell added a bronze and Harper a silver to their hauls.
Jennifer Swanson-Jones was again outstanding with eight medals, while the evergreen Kathy Harper-Hall won four golds and three silvers. The top male performers were Henderson Waltress, who took five golds, and Atherley Burrowes, who grabbed two gold and two silvers.
Field eventer Wendy Barrow-Smith lifted two golds, one silver and two bronze.
The basketball team were pipped by one point after leading by four in the semi-finals but were able to take a bronze medal for the first time.
Local tennis chief Raymond Forde showed that something was still in the bottle, earning three golds, including one with George Grant, who won two gold medals. (KB)
