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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Thomas A. Robinson Photo courtesy of OldBahamas.com
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The following is a poem about the late Bahamian sports legend, Thomas A. Robinson written by and submitted by H. Rudy Sawyer of Freeport, Grand Bahama:
“How Great Thou Art”
Did they know how great thou art
When they saw you sprinting
With different gates repeatedly
Along the almond tree boulevard
On the Eastern Parade?
Did they know how great thou art
When they heard the shouts of Crawford to you
Raise those knees and pump those arms?
Did they know how great thou art
When they saw you jogging over Hawkins Hill
And making your stop
At the green house at its base?
They knew how great thou art
When they heard of the medals you won
And the records you set internationally
As a pioneer for your country
They knew how great thou art
When your country named a National stadium
In your honour
They knew how great thou art
When athletes became world best
At the most prestigious events in the world
Following your foot steps and inspiration
They know how great thou art
Thomas Augustus Robinson
Thomas A. Robinson seated center in dark suit. Photo courtesy of Bahamian History Highlights on Facebook
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THOMAS AUGUSTUS ROBINSON (b. March 16th 1938)
Thomas Robinson was born to Cyril and Willasy Robinson of Hawkins Hill. He attended St Johns College and was a member of the sporting clubs of St Georges and Pioneers. He attended the University of Michigan and while there he won nine big ten conference titles for Michigan. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of University of Michigan in 1985.
His notable performances on the track are as follows:
1956 – the lone track and field athlete on the first Bahamian Olympic team, competing in the 100 & 200m at the Melbourne Olympics. He came 4th in the fifth heat of the first round of the 100m with a time of 10.9. He also came 4th in the fifth heat of the first round of the 200m with a time of 21.6. He did not advance.
1957 – teamed up with Tom Grant, Oscar Francis and Enoch Beckford to win the country’s first ever track and field medal (bronze) at the West Indian Federation Games in Jamaica.
1958 – won the 220 yds (21.0) race and came second in the 100yds (9.6) at the British Empire Games in Cardiff Wales.
1960 – won the 100yds at the West Indian Federation Games in Jamaica. He advanced to the semi-finals at the Rome Olympics in both the 100 (10.5) and 200m (21.5).
1962 – won the 100m at the CAC games in Jamaica, beating the record holders. Won the silver medal in the 100yds (9.6) at the Empire Games in Australia.
1964 – competed in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics and reached the final, but came 8th when he pulled a hamstring.
1965 – set a new world record in the indoor 300yds at a meet in Canada.
1966 – came a close second to Harry Jerome in the 100yds (9.4) at the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
1968 – part of the 4X100 team with Bernard Nottage, Norris Stubbs and Kevin Johnson who reached the semi finals at the Mexico Olympics with a time of 39.45. This time set a new Bahamian record which stood until 1993.
References:
http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ro/tom-robinson-1.html
http://www.thecgf.com/search/athlete.asp
The 100 most outstanding Bahamians of the 20th Century, Jones Communications
The Tribune
From
Bahamian History Highlights
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