Marcia Diane Trotman fought the good fight and has finished her race.
Those words from Reverend Sylvan Payne’s address certainly brought comfort to the hearts of family, friends, workmates and members of the sporting fraternity who gathered by the hundreds to pay their final respects to the former sprint queen who touched their lives in so many ways.
The former Olympian, who was among the historic five-member Barbadian female squad to compete at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, died recently after a battle with illness at the age of 62.
The service was a sad one for those who flooded the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, with many becoming emotional during the viewing of the body and the tributes in poetry, song and readings which evoked the wonderful memories of Trotman.
Among the mourners were former Olympians Rawle Clarke and Frieda Nicholls;interim CEO of the National Sports Council, Jerry Blenman; president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Pedro Shepherd; and Dr Adrian Lorde.
Former National Sports Council (NSC) coaches Hector Edwards and Milton Small and members of the organising committee of the National Primary School Athletic Championships (NAPSAC) as well as members of the Barbados Masters and Seniors Athletic Club were in attendance.
Payne noted that Trotman never lost her faith throughout that period of sickness.
“She was a fierce competitor on the world stage in her time and Marcia was also a competitor in the Christian race,” she said. “It did not put her on the world stage or the news, but for Marcia it was exciting news to know Christ.”
Son-in-law Christopher Waterman said in the eulogy that it was a day to reflect on the beautiful life Trotman lived.
“So many people have been blessed by her sweet spirit and her beautiful way of looking at the world and making people feel loved. Her life made a difference. She will be remembered by many for a long, long time,” he said.
Nicholls, who is also president of Olympians Barbados and competed alongside Trotman at the Munich Olympics, said she was a part of the athletic legacy.
“That five-member squad of Barbadian females were the ones who blazed the trail for young Barbadian girls to realise their dreams of making the national teams, competing in national events and aiming for the pinnacle of athletic endeavour, the Olympic Games, and the possibility of an Olympic medal. That is the legacy Marcia leaves behind,” she said.
In his tribute senior coach of the NSC, Adrian Donovan, said Trotman, whom her workmates called “Trottie”, was a selfless individual for the 15 years she worked at the organisation.
“This outstanding individual was put on this earth to serve. Trotman was no ordinary coach. She was a humanitarian foremost.
“She cared for her athletes, so much so that none of them left her sessions not knowing how they would get home. On many occasions, Trottie would be seen going all over the island to take them home. It didn’t stop there; none of them went home hungry,” he said.
NAPSAC chairman and BUT vice-president Richmark Cave said Trotman was always willing to go beyond her call to assist young people and she played the role of “surrogate parent” to several young girls. (RG)
