Toronto-Lime.com

George Bovell Earns Bronze Medal for T&T

GEORGE BOVELL III became the first swimmer from Trinidad and Tobago to capture an Olympic medal and in so doing gave the CARICOM region its first medal of the Athens Games. In a time of 1:58.80 George finished the Men’s 200 meter IM final behind Americans Ryan Lochte 1:58.78 and Michael Phelps 1:57.14.

George said, "I dived in and felt my stroke fly. I felt it would be an easy, smooth race. I had doubts in the backstroke, but I pushed through the pain and just looked to bring it home."

He added that when the T&T flag was raised the feeling was "’Sweet’. In a couple of World Championships I've finished fourth or fifth. I'm ecstatic to finish in the top three. It's a dream come true." "I hope this success will improve swimming in Trinidad and Tobago and I hope it will encourage the government to improve the swimming facilities."