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Former
Olympic bronze medallist Ato Boldon is swamped by autograph
seekers during his visit to Presentation College, San Fernando,
for the Guardian in Education tour on Wednesday.
Photo:
Tony Howell
By
Leah Mathura-Dookhoo
While his main goal in life was to bring home an Olympic
gold medal for T&T, Ato Boldon said on Wednesday he
had no regrets representing the nation over the past 12
years.
As a matter of fact, the sprinter believes he is well within
his right to celebrate his achievements, despite criticism.
“While
everyone was partying, I was training, so when the critics
say anything about me, I really don’t take them on,”
he said.
“I
don’t have a gold medal, but I can’t worry about
it, because I know that I have done well. I have learnt
to live with criticism because its human nature to tear
down what boggles the mind.”
Boldon was speaking to scores of students from Naparima
Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges and the hosts, Presentation
College, at the school’s Carib Street, San Fernando
auditorium.
He was there for another edition of the Guardian in Education
tour.
Boldon, national cyclist Michael Phillips, former Miss Universe
Wendy Fitzwilliam, Olympic bronze medallist swimmer George
Bovell III and cricket star Brian Lara, are also part of
the tour, which takes the participants to schools across
the country for a series of motivational sessions with students.
The project is endorsed and supported by the Ministry of
Education, and is sponsored by the National Gas Company,
RBTT, BG T&T, Guardian Holdings Ltd and YARA.
Boldon told the large gathering that every time he wore
the country’s national colours during a race, he was
always aware of the consequences if he won or lost.
“I
used to always dream that if I failed, I will be stoned
down on the Brian Lara Promenade and I didn’t want
that to happen to me. You know the kind of demanding society
we have?” he said
“But
you know what? I had my time and I did the best I can and
I am extremely proud of what I was able to do.”
Boldon explained that his greatest motivation was knowing
that he was given an opportunity not many had received,
and he had to make the best of the situation.
He also said while other athletes may have cheated over
the span of their career, he was proud to be the holder
of several medals, which he accomplished with integrity.
“I
really wanted to stay on the right path, rather than bring
the country into disrepute. Your reputation is all you’ve
got,” he said.
Boldon, who lives next door to chart-topping pop diva Toni
Braxton and popular American comedian Chris Tucker in Los
Angeles, told the students that self-discipline was all
they needed to be successful.
He said he had learnt from his neighbours, including his
dear friend and LA Lakers basketball star, Kobe Bryant,
that ability, coupled with sacrifice could propel people
into unimaginable things.
“All
it really takes is three or four years of sacrifice to reap
real rewards,” he said.
“People
who succeed make the uncomfortable, comfortable and the
inconvenient, convenient. Do not live to tell the stories
of regret.”
Each school received a Spalding basketball for its physical
education department and a career handbook for the library,
from the Trinidad Guardian.
Boldon also told students that he would launch his acting
career next year.
In his first film, Boldon will star alongside Hollywood
mega star Bruce Willis in the production of the action comedy,
The Last Resort.
Boldon said he would play the role of Jack Johnson, a policeman.
Only recently, Boldon began his broadcasting career with
CBS and received his pilot’s licence in Los Angeles,
California, USA.
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