The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FROM one Olympian to another, Bahamian quarter-miler Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown said he was honored to have been asked to assist in the fourth Live the Legacy Gala that was held on Saturday night for American 200m Olympic gold medalist Dr Tommie Smith.

The gala, held in Atlanta, Georgia, was a fundraiser for the Tommie Smith Youth Initiative, Inc, dedicated to nurturing the health, fitness and educational development of young people, particularly marginalised children.

The 76-year-old Smith, a former track and field athlete and wide receiver in the American Football League, broke the barrier for 20 seconds when he won the gold at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico at the age of 24 in a time of 19.83 for the then world record.

As he stood on the podium to receive his medal, he stuck his patented Black Power salute with American bronze medalist John Carlos (20.10) as they protested racism and injustice against African-Americans in the United States caused controversy, as it was seen as politicising the Olympics. Australia’s Peter Norman, by the way, won the silver in a national record time of 20.06.

The popular pose, which Smith and Brown displayed together in a photo shot at the gala, remains a symbolic moment in the history of the Black Power movement.

“I was honoured. It was a honour for me to be there and just to be a witness and to stand next to a legend,” said Brown, the former Bahamian national record holder, who is preparing to compete in his sixth straight Olympics next year in Tokyo, Japan.

“Here’s somebody who did something spectacular years ago before I was born and to know the kind of world we are living in and to see what’s going on and now he’s been recognised and giving back and to be a part of that environment was history making and to be able to be a part of history.”

Having made history of his own when he staged his own Chris Brown Invitational here at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium and one of the organisers of the Karini James Invitational in Grenada, Brown was invited to help market the event on his social media apps.

“I was happy to be there to help promote the event on my social media contacts,” Brown said. “This is the beginning of something new and something big because I will be venturing into more events like this.

“I will be looking forward to seeing whatever role I can play and assist in other events. I had a good time. My wife, Faith, had a good time too. It was just a great event. I can’t wait for the next event.”

The 41-year-old Brown, however, opted not to divulge any details on the next event on the agenda. He just asked the public to stay toned as he continue to train for his final hurrah in Tokyo next year and his current job as the head coach at Clayton State in Atlanta.

During the gala, which was carried live on social media with persons in attendance only by special invitation, the Legacy award was presented to Jesse James Parker (posthumously).

Also honored and present to receive their awards were professional football quarterback turned civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick, who started a protest by not standing during the playing of the national anthem and Xemona Clayton, another civil rights activist who worked with the late Martin Luther King, was the first corporate vice president for urban affairs for Turner Broadcasting and the founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc.

The Masters of Ceremony were Sydney Jordan, Jonathan Slocumb and Montell Jordan. Special entertainment was provided by Claude Duece.