During a nostalgic evening charged with emotion last Thursday night, a portrait of a young GC Foster, reproduced from an old photograph was unveiled before an audience at the sports college named in his honour in Spanish St Catherine.

Among those gathered for the occasion were Foster’s granddaughters Andrea Roberts, Debbie Jardine and Heather Chin, who were clearly moved by the occasion.

Established in September1980, GC Foster College was the first of its kind to be established in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The college was named as a tribute to Gerald Claude Eugene (G.C.) Foster, who was described as a man of outstanding and versatile sporting talent, who dedicated himself to the pursuit of excellence in all his sport-related endeavors.

In 1908, he travelled to the United Kingdom to try and compete at the Olympic Games even though Jamaica had not a member of the Olympic charter nor did it have an athletic association. However, while unable to compete, he managed to defeat many of the finalists in the Olympic 100m final.

Largely hidden, his legacy has now been unearthed allowing the late athlete and coach to take his rightful place in Jamaica’s incredible track and field history.

It was part of that process, during the launch of 50 Days Afire, the book that brings Foster’s incredible achievements to life, that the portrait was unveiled.

The occasion will live long in the memory of his granddaughters.

“Very proud. We are very proud and honoured; so glad that after so long he is still so highly thought off,” said Jardine, who along with her cousins stood next to the portrait as it was unveiled.

“I agree with that 100 per cent,” said Roberts. “We are very honoured and very pleased.”

Chin, who was visiting GC Foster College for the very first time, said she was captivated by the institution named after her grandfather.

“This is a first. I am totally impressed with this school. It’s really awesome and that it’s named after my grandfather is very special,” she said.