jun.20.2001

by Andre E. Baptiste

Trinidad and Tobago's leading athlete, sprinter Ato Boldon, is not only known for his blistering speed, but also he is well known because of the active role his father Guy has played in his career, both on and off the track. Ato is certain that a father's love cannot be touched or surpassed and as he looks ahead to fathering a son in the near future, he gave the Sunday Express a look at Guy Boldon from a son's perspective.

"My Father and I have not always got along, especially when I was a teenager, it was very difficult because we were both very strong willed and stubborn and wanted our own way, it was rather difficult", says Four time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon of his relationship with his dad, Guy in the early years.

28 year old Boldon admits though," That I would rather have a father who cares so much and is at times over-bearing than one who does not care what you are doing or where you are going."

"My Father more than anyone was very instrumental in my career, he was totally responsible for me being involved in athletics, he has by his work behind and in front of the scenes, given my career the strength it needed to move where it has financially and also given me a piece of mind," he added.

Ato says that," My father is not an easy man to get along with, but at this time we are probably getting along better than we ever did in my life. We are both very opinionated, but now I think he recognizes that I am no longer 18 and that I am a man and will make my own decisions, and even though he may still disagree with some of them, we manage to work it out."

But Ato is quick to add on Father's Day," That there are things that my father does for me still, that I would not be able to handle like him, and in the way he does,"

"A lot of people say that my Father is arrogant, but people say the same things about me, and that will be so once you are in public life, but I rather have my family around me rather than anyone else,"

"Because if you take the good with the bad, the good is always better as your Father is always seeking your interest and what is best for his son or daughter, even if at times he may do or say things which could have been done differently," he remarked.

Ato who left Trinidad and his father's home when he was fourteen years and moved to the United States with his mother (Hope) and brother (Okeera), dismisses distance as any hindrance to his relationship with his father," I speak to my father at least three times a week, he normally comes to Los Angeles at least once a year and I come to Trinidad and Tobago, at least five times a year, so distance was and is still no problem, in fact because of my schedule, I probably see my father as much as my wife (Cassandra)."

There is a lot of pride in Ato's voice when he adds," My Father is the most honest person on my team, he would not sugar coat anything, just like me, if I have run a bad race, he will call me on the phone and tell me, what went wrong. I want to hear the truth and I appreciate the way he speaks."

Ato who is a father himself to 9 year old daughter Bri disclosed that he has learnt a lot of lessons from his dad, Guy," I have learned that you need to give your children more rein, in my case, my father held the reins very tight, just as in horseracing, and if my brother and I were not intelligent enough we could have rebelled from this love, some people call it tough love, but we understood his intentions, if not always the means."

"In my case, I have been a lot more free with Bri, but She is still very disciplined and matured and I have been able to get the same results, my father got with us,"

Ato stated that he was considered to be a "nerd" in school (Fatima College) and were it not for his father, who knows how he would have turned out," I was a whimp in school, I was a little nerd, but my Father was the one who went out and bought me stuff that changed my life and got me more athletic, he encouraged me from small to pick up sport and nurtured my juices, I have a lot to love and thank my father for."

"He is a strong competitor and does not like to lose, just like me, we have some similarly and anyone seeing us can know we are Father and son, when he defends me, it is done with a Father's passion and with a wish for me to be the best I can,"

"During the time this year when there were poor times, he kept on behind me to do better and to give more, and that the rewards will come, he never lost faith like so many others,"

"In a time of crisis, I know that I can turn to my father, because he will always be there for me.....the road ahead in sport is full of twists and turns, one day you may be up, the next day you may down, but you have to live through both days and look forward to making the remainder better," said Ato Boldon.

"A Father's love is something you cannot ever replace, My Father, my brother and I share a special relationship, which gives me the desire, will and ability to live each day knowing there are people out there who love you,"

"I would not give up my father or my mother for the World, they are both great parents in their own different way, each brings their special attributes to my life, I thank them both for where I am today, "he concluded