George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago after winning the Olympic bronze in the 200 metres individual medley last night. (AP Picture.)

ATHENS – Trinidad and Tobago’s George Bovell III swam his way into the history books with a brilliant third place in the men’s 200 metres individual medley last night.
The tall, massively-built 21-year-old was sensational as he pushed himself hard to get the bronze – Trinidad and Tobago’s 12th medal in Olympic history.

He registered a personal best and new Commonwealth record of one minute, 58.80 seconds for his country’s first ever Olympic swimming medal, also the first for the English-speaking Caribbean.

He was behind Americans Michael Phelps, who won in a new Olympic record 1:57.14, and Ryan Lochte (1:58.78).

“I feel glad I’m going home with some souvenirs. I’ve been training hard and I am glad it is paying off,” Bovell told CMC Sport after the race. “It was a close race in the end and it’s a good thing I have long arms.”

Born in Canada, he had the options of representing that country or even Barbados. His mother, Barbara Bishop, was a distance runner on the Barbados team at the 1972 Munich Olympics while a student at Codrington High School.

His father, George II, was educated at The Lodge School and was a Barbados swimmer, and he is a direct descendant of John Redman Bovell, the man whose face is on this nation’s$2 note.

Compliments of the Nation News

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