The Guyana National Olympians Association (GNOA) on Thursday unveiled a bust of Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist, Michael Anthony Parris, in the capital city Georgetown.
Parris, a former bantamweight boxer, won bronze at the Moscow Games in 1980, and to date, is the only pugilist from the English-speaking Caribbean to medal at the global event.
The bust is located at the Merriman’s Mall, along Shiv Chanderpaul Drive between Church Street and North Road.
Flanked by his family, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Guyana Olympic Association President Godfrey Munroe, Olympian Keevin Allicock and members of the GNOA, the 65-year-old unveiled the bust that was sculpted by Keith Agard.
In his historic run 43 years ago, Parris defeated Nureni Gbadamosi (Nigeria), Fayez Zaghloul (Syria) and Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico).
However, in the bout for a chance to contest for the gold medal, Parris was defeated by Cuba’s Juan Hernandez.
In the ring, fists and a solid technique are the keys to success, but to achieve such, Parris said his plan surrounded discipline, dedication, determination and devotion.
“If youths decide to use these four Ds in their sporting life, it will help you to go on and achieve success at World Games,” he told the gathering as he reflected on how proud he is of his performance.
Ninvalle told Parris, “You are a living hero, a living icon, a living legend to Guyana. I think sometimes in simplicity there is beauty and it is in these simple things, it shows how highly we think of you.”
Last year, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport made a ceremonial presentation to Parris as a start to building future relationships, and according to Ninvalle, they plan on developing such this year.
GNOA President Andrew Harry indicated that they have plans in the pipeline to honour former Track and Field athletes James Wren-Gilkes, June Griffith and Jennifer Innis in similar fashion.
My heartiest congratulations go out to the Government of Guyana for such an initiative. This has given me such a great feeling. Nothing happens before its time. Congratulations to you too Mr. Parris for a job well done.