Barbados’ lone medallist at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, last July, is asking for more recognition to be given to those who help to bring honour and glory to the country.
Sprint hurdler Shane Brathwaite said that he was pleasantly surprised to see life-sized action images of himself hoisted in a Mexican airport after he had produced two gold medal performances in that country.
“However, I would feel even better if something like that was done in my country at my airport.
“We have a number of champions like Kierre Beckles, Ryan [Brathwaite] and Akela Jones, and these athletes should be posted up in the airport so that the tourists could see our talent and that would help to motivate us to perform even better,” he said.
Brathwaite, who captured the bronze medal in the 110-metre hurdles in Glasgow with a time of 13.49 seconds, gave Barbados something to cheer about after raised expectations with himself, Ryan Brathwaite and Greggmar Swift creating history with three Bajans appearing in the same international final.
The athlete returned to the island for the first time after the Games, with a small but warm group receiving him on Monday night.
On exiting the arrival hall at the Grantley Adams International Airport, Brathwaite was given a warm embrace by his mother Fay Gaskin who had waited for over two months to personally congratulate her champion.Â
Brathwaite then engaged in a lengthy discussion with newly appointed CEO of the National Sports Council and the Gymnasium Limited, Jerry Blenman, and sports development officer Stephen Rowe.
Also on hand to welcome home the athlete was president of the Athletic Association of Barbados, Catherine Jordan, secretary Trevor Welch, with former president Noel “Barney” Lynch also offering his congratulations.
Brathwaite said that following the Games he had returned his base in Texas and following an injury both he and his coach decided to “shut it down”, so he decided to return home to rest and get ready for the new season.
He said that he felt good about Barbados having three finalists in the 110-metre hurdles and that he was hoping that they would have captured three medals.
“I feel proud that I have won a medal out of the three and hopefully when we do that again we would capture all three medals.
“It is always a good feeling to medal. I wish it was silver or gold but I gave my best and I was pleased with the results.
“I am going to get as much rest as possible and once we start back in October I intend to spend a lot of time in the weight room to get stronger and to get faster results next year.
“I want to go to Pan Am and the World Championships next year so I need to be in 13.2, 13.1 (seconds) range in the hurdles, so I am going to give it my best,” he said.
