Judy Simons
Former Bermuda Olympic Association president Judy Simons passed away on January 3.
The association made the announcement in a press release, leaving family, friends and colleagues to mourn.
“We are saddened to advise you of the passing of our friend and colleague Mrs. Judy Simons on January 3, 2024,” BOA president Peter Dunne said.
“This sudden and shocking news will be felt around the world.”
The announcement noted her 25 years of service to the Commonwealth Games Federation and to the Olympic movement, which followed a sporting career in field hockey and tennis.
“Her contributions to the BOA and Bermuda’s sporting community have had significant impact on the profile of Bermuda within the international sporting communities and organisations, right up to her passing as the regional vice-president (Americas) of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“In addition to her tenure as president of the BOA and previously as secretary-general, Judy served on numerous committees.
“Judy’s leadership and reputation in the international sports groups has done much for the advancement of Bermuda and our athletes.
“Her reputation as a strong advocate for our organisation and other small national Olympic committees was well earned and will be missed greatly by all who knew her and benefited from her experience.
“Judy often referred to the 2020 gold medal of Flora Duffy as the pinnacle of her BOA career, but her legacy as a relationship builder will be remembered for years to come, always for the benefit of the BOA.
“Bermuda’s standing in global sport is due in large part to Judy’s dedication to the movement and her ability to develop strong bonds with her colleagues.
“We will continue to benefit from her work and reflect on her service as a model for all to emulate.”
BOA secretary-general Branwen Smith-King described Mrs. Simons as a “good friend, colleague and mentor”
“I’m devastated by this news; she will be sorely missed,” she said. “Judy’s contribution to sport in Bermuda reaches beyond our borders and those of us in the sports world are indebted to her services.
“As past president of the Bermuda Olympic Association, Judy’s leadership, passion for helping others and love for sport was inspirational.
“Judy Simons has left a legacy that truly cannot be duplicated. Rest in peace, my friend.”
BOA first vice-president Brenda Dale added: “Judy was a dear friend and someone I deeply admired and trusted.
“She was a kind, caring and committed person whose heart was rooted in the Bermuda sports community.
“She dedicated a large part of her life fighting for and supporting our Bermuda athletes in every avenue and at every level possible.
“I am ever grateful to have accepted her invitation to join her on the BOA board, as it was truly an honour to serve with her.
“She was an inspiration, and her hard work and immense contributions to sport, both locally and internationally, will be a legacy felt and admired across the globe. She will be deeply missed.”
Ben Smith, the deputy leader of the opposition One Bermuda Alliance and Shadow Minister of Education and Sport, described Mrs. Simons as “the face of sports in Bermuda” whose rich legacy will live on.
Mr. Smith who is also Bermuda’s national swimming coach, said: “Judy was an absolute pleasure to work and travel with. She was a consummate professional, but also very nurturing and a joy to be around.
“Bermuda has lost yet another national treasure and will be sorely missed. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to her family at this difficult time.”
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) also reacted to her passing.
“It is with immense sadness and a heavy heart that I extend our most sincere condolences to the immediate family, the Olympic Family and the entire Bermudan sport family, on the passing, earlier today, of our dear friend and colleague, Judy Simons,” CANOC President Keith Joseph said in a statement on Thursday.
The statement continued: “It was not so long ago that we had the pleasure of Judy's company and observed then, that she was ailing. As usual, in her own style, she seemed to convince us that all was well.
“Truth sets us free and Judy never really recovered from the death of her husband. Even speaking of his passing a few weeks ago in Singapore, brought great sadness to her and an admission of just how much this continued to impact her.
“Judy's commitment to sport led her to take on many challenges. She soldiered as she had to cope with the passing of her treasured General Secretary, Phillip Guishard, and was ecstatic with the gold medal winning performance of the country's Triathlon athlete, Flora Duffy, making Bermuda the smallest country in the Olympic Movement to win gold at the Olympics.”
Mrs. Simons was the wife of former Somerset Cup Match captain Campbell Simons, who predeceased her in September 2021.
ESPN ranks Bolt as ninth greatest professional athlete since 2000
The fastest man to ever live, Usain Bolt, was ranked ninth on a list of the top 100 professional athletes since 2000 compiled by American sports channel ESPN on Thursday.
Bolt, an eight-time Olympic champion, 11-time World champion and the world record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, was the highest ranked of only three track and field athletes in the whole list.
The other two track and field athletes on the list are American seven-time Olympic and 14-time World champion Allyson Felix at 63 and Jamaican three-time Olympic champion and 10-time World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at 77.
The list was topped by Michael Phelps with Serena Williams, Lionel Messi, LeBron James and Tom Brady rounding out the top five.
The three names immediately ahead of Bolt are Roger Federer at six, Simone Biles at seven and Tiger Woods at eight while Kobe Bryant came in just behind Bolt at 10.
CANOC President Keith Joseph rallies support for West Indies ahead of ICC T20 World Cup
As teams for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup begin arriving in the Caribbean and the USA for their final preparations, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) has thrown its full support behind the West Indies T20 cricket team. The tournament, set to bowl off on June 1, marks a significant moment in cricket history, coming on the heels of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to include cricket in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Cricket fans across the Caribbean and the USA are eagerly anticipating the T20 World Cup, hopeful for a strong showing from the West Indies cricket team. CANOC President Keith Joseph emphasized the importance of rallying behind the team, stating, “Let’s put all of our energies in rallying around the West Indies.”
Joseph highlighted the historic significance of this World Cup, noting its unique timing post the IOC's decision. “This year’s edition of the Cricket World Cup holds a special place in the history of the sport, if only because it comes after the decision of the IOC to agree to the request by the organizers of the Summer Olympics of 2028 to include cricket on the sports programme,” he remarked.
The 2028 Olympic Games will feature cricket, but only teams entered by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will be eligible to participate. This excludes a unified West Indies team, as there is no West Indies Olympic Committee. Joseph acknowledged this challenge, drawing a parallel to the era of the West Indies Federation (1958-1962), which had unified participation in various sports.
To address this, the ICC, Cricket West Indies, and CANOC have been in discussions with PanAm Sports and Centro Caribe Sports about including cricket in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Pan American Games of 2026 and 2027, respectively. Further discussions are planned with the organizers of the South American, Central American, and Caribbean Games to consider cricket's inclusion in their sports programs.
Joseph urged cricket associations around the Caribbean to join their respective NOCs. He stated, “Our NOCs and cricket associations must work together to get it right.” While recognizing the challenges and increased expenses, he emphasized the significant opportunities. “There are immeasurable opportunities that would be open to those with whom the initiative would find favour,” Joseph added.
Cricket has deep roots in the Caribbean, having been brought by colonizers and mastered by the region’s youth to achieve global excellence. Joseph called for the region to embrace this new era, saying, “Participation in multisport Games is another frontier whose barriers to inclusion have been broken by the organisers of LA2028 and which we in the Caribbean must all embrace.”
An important starting point for this new era is the strong support for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. Regardless of the tournament's outcome, the collective energy and unity behind the West Indies team are crucial. Joseph concluded, “Let’s take the next compulsory steps to build the individual teams that will want to participate in LA2028.”
As the T20 World Cup unfolds, the Caribbean community stands united, cheering for their team and looking forward to a bright future in cricket, both in regional competitions and on the Olympic stage. CANOC's support for the West Indies T20 team is not just about this World Cup but about embracing a future where Caribbean cricket can shine in every international arena.
CANOC President Keith Joseph commends Caribbean youth athletes after recent Carifta Games and Aquatic Championships: Urges regional gov’t’s to do more for sports development
In a message resonating with pride and admiration, Keith Joseph, President of the Caribbean Association of Olympic Committees (CANOC), has reflected on the remarkable achievements of Caribbean athletes at the recent Carifta Games in Grenada and the Carifta Aquatic Championships in the Bahamas.
Jamaica secured a 38th consecutive title at the 51st Carifta Games in Grenada winning 84 medals, 45 of them gold, while in the Bahamas, the home team won a record-extending sixth aquatics title further enhancing their reputation as kings and queens of the pool.
"We have recently celebrated the annual Easter weekend events across the world. For us in the Caribbean, we are still reflecting on the outstanding performances of our athletes at both the Carifta Athletics Championships in Grenada and the Carifta Swimming Championships in the Bahamas," the CANOC president said.
Joseph wasted no time in lauding the athletes, acknowledging their remarkable efforts and dedication. "While not all athletes would have won medals," he remarked, "scores of them have achieved personal best performances. All participating athletes are winners insofar as having gained national selection is itself a major feat and an important part of their personal and their respective country’s sporting history."
Indeed, the records shattered and the triumphs achieved at these championships were nothing short of extraordinary. Jamaica's 38th consecutive title at the Carifta Games in Grenada, along with an impressive haul of 84 medals, exemplified the caliber of talent present in the Caribbean. Similarly, the Bahamas' record-extending sixth consecutive swimming title, won in front of their passionate home crowd, showcased the region's dominance in aquatic sports.
"Records have been broken by athletes we expect will follow the long-held tradition of becoming the next generation of sporting stars of the Caribbean," Joseph enthused. "Small we may be as countries in the global environment but through sport we have competed well and blazed a trail of success consistent with our immense potential, resilience, and resolve."
Joseph extended heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes who represented their countries at these prestigious events, emphasizing the significance of their accomplishments. He also expressed gratitude to the governments and people of Grenada and the Bahamas for their unwavering support and financial commitment to the sporting spectacles.
Moreover, Joseph emphasized the importance of government involvement in facilitating the sports development process in the Caribbean. "The continued challenges of hosting major sport competitions at the Caribbean level impact the broader sport development process," he noted. "There is an important need for us to have governments play a more important role in facilitating the sport development process in the Caribbean."
In closing, Joseph highlighted the call for Caribbean unity and collaboration in sport, as advocated by Grenada's Minister of Sport, Gayton J La Crette. He underscored CANOC's commitment to facilitating research initiatives aimed at developing a sustainable sport development strategy for the region.
"Together," Joseph concluded, "we can show the difference sport can make to our Caribbean reality."
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