This is a great personal loss for me because Tommy Robinson was one of my oldest and dearest friends. Far more than for me, however, Tommy’s passing is a great loss for our nation. As the pioneer of international track competition for The Bahamas, Tommy was the elder statesman of Bahamian athletics. He was a sporting hero of truly legendary status.  He was in a class by himself, revered by all.  

Although Tommy had many stellar moments in his career as a sprinter, his finest moment came in 1958 at the British empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales where he was the sole entrant from The Bahamas, carrying in the flag for his country at the opening ceremonies all my himself, without either coach or manager.  Tommy would go on to win the gold medal in the 220 yards and the silver medal in the 100 yards sprint.  Tommy’s performances at these games represented a singular moment in our life as a people.  What he achieved had never been done before.  It filled us all with tremendous pride and united us all in joy. 

The late Thomas A. Robinson Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletics

Of more enduring consequence, Tommy’s victorious performance against overwhelming odds in Cardiff inspired successive generations of young athletes to compete on the world stage.  Tommy proved not only that we were good enough to take part but that we were good enough to win.

It is also historically noteworthy that Tommy was the first Bahamian track athlete to ever participate in the Olympics.  His participation at the Rome Games in 1960 was followed four years later when he again made history by becoming the first Bahamian to make it to the finals of an Olympic track and field event. 

In all, Tommy took part in four consecutive Olympic games, beginning with the Melbourne games in 1956, followed by the Rome games in 1960, then the Tokyo games in 1964, and finally the Mexico city games in 1968.

It also a matter of great pride for us as a nation that the first world record ever achieved for The Bahamas was set by Tommy Robinson when he set the world record in the 300 meters at an indoor track event in Canada.

Tommy Robinson, in whose honour our national stadium is named, was always so selfless in helping to guide those who came after him. He took great pride in the athletic accomplishments of the younger generations that followed him.  He was a trusted and enthusiastic mentor and guide for them, and because he had achieved such great success largely on his own, he was an inspiration to them as well. Thomas Augustus Robinson is an icon for the ages now. He will continue to stand as a singular example of the greatness that can be attained in any area of human endeavour, be it athletic or otherwise, when natural talent is harnessed to discipline, courage, determination and patriotic responsibility. I mention this latter quality in particular because wherever Tommy went in the world as the standard bearer for The Bahamas, he always did us exceptionally proud.  He was a model of first-class decorum and exemplary bearing both on and off the track.  He consistently reflected the very best of the national character and, in so doing, set the standard for generations to come. 

On behalf of my wife, Bernadette, and all my family, and on behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas I extend deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Augustus Robinson, a great Bahamian hero.

In recognition of Tommy Robinson’s uniquely important contribution to the history of sports in our nation, there will be a state-recognized funeral for him, details of which will be announced in due course by the cabinet office.