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Ato
Boldon shares a celebratory moment with the vice-principal
and students of Point Fortin Secondary School during the
Guardian in Education tour at the school on Thursday.
Photo:
Sookdeo Baney
By
Leah Mathura-Dookhoo
First formers of Point Fortin Senior Comprehensive School,
sporting pristinely clean running shoes, ran over to former
sprinting sensation Ato Boldon on Thursday, challenging
him to a race.
Eager to see their sporting hero in action, scores of them
lined the pathway leading to the school’s multi-purpose
hall to greet Boldon, who had only hours before arrived
in the country.
He was there for another edition of the Guardian in Education
tour.
Boldon, together with national cyclist Michael Phillips,
former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam, Olympic swimming
medallist George Bovell III and cricket star Brian Lara,
are part of the tour which take the participants to schools
across the country for a series of motivational session
with students.
The project is endorsed and supported by the Ministry of
Education, and is sponsored by the National Gas Company,
RBTT, BG Trinidad and Tobago, Guardian Holdings Ltd and
YARA.
Boldon told the students that it was necessary for him to
tell of his trials and tribulations in life, so they could
learn from him and follow their own destiny.
The Olympic medallist said he was so excited to be in Point
Fortin that he dodged Hurricane Rita while travelling from
Los Angeles to Miami, to arrive in the country to see them.
Speaking to hundreds of students, some also from the Vessigny
Secondary and Cedros Composite schools, Boldon said everyone
had the power to control his or her life.
He said that despite adversities and bad advice from friends,
one should keep on the narrow path if he or she wanted to
follow attain a goal.
“You
are going to meet people who will tell you you should not
do this or do that. But, how are you going to know if it
is right for you if you don’t try it?” he asked.
“The
greatest thing I have learnt in life is never be afraid
to fail.”
He said in everyday life, individuals have the power to
control their destiny, yet some people were not aware of
how much power they possess.
“Too
many young people get discouraged along the way, but what
eventually happens to you ... is life.”
He advised: “You are steering a ship. Don’t worry
about the waves.”
Speaking specifically to the young males in the crowd, Boldon
called on them to have self-confidence for the right reasons.
He said that for much too long, young males in society had
been portraying the “bad boy” mentality, when
all the effort into such behaviour could be channelled into
the right one.
Boldon said that during his track and field career there
were times when he became depressed after a race or injury,
but he learned quickly that life presented itself in many
forms.
He said that despite what his detractors had said in the
past, he had been blessed with his sprinting talent and
hopes that others would be afforded the same opportunity.
Boldon said he continues to challenge himself in life, noting
that he is now launching his acting career.
At the beginning of next year, he told the students, he
will be starring alongside Hollywood mega star Bruce Willis
in the production of the action comedy The Last Resort.
Boldon said he would be playing the role of Jack Johnson,
a policeman.
However, he admitted to the students that he would be intimidated
to work with Willis. “I plan to get an acting coach
to assist me,” he said.
Only recently, Boldon began his broadcasting career with
CBS and received his pilot’s licence in Los Angeles.
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