Welcome home Levern Spencer

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing her arrival at Hewanorra International Airport last Thursday, St Lucians got the opportunity to see Commonwealth gold medalist Levern Spencer up close and personal, after her motorcade arrived at the Derek Walcott Square.

She was greeted by a huge crowd who welcomed her with open arms, with their eyes glued to the historic medal around her neck – St Lucia’s first ever gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

St Lucia’s Chef de Mission at the Commonwealth Games Trevor Hunte and Spencer’s official driver from the airport to Castries, was first to address the gathering.

“Today I must say I am very proud of Levern Spencer,” said Hunte. “She’s made us an icon in today’s world. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw our flag being brought up the pole and to hear the St Lucian anthem and that is all because of Levern Spencer. We should appreciate all she has done for St Lucia and to give us a name today. We are known now. We are no longer a little island and it just shows me the opportunities are here. The youth should take an example from Levern, because opportunities in sports can take you very far and Levern is a clear example of that.”

Spencer’s Manager, Pastor Gregory Dixon, who guided her through her career and remains a pillar of strength said: “What a day it is for St Lucia. A day of celebration, because finally at the Commonwealth level Levern Spencer was able to put us on that sporting map.

Dixon was full praise for the elite high jumper and also the man who discovered her Gregory Lubin. He told the audience: “It was about this time 20 years ago, that Mr Gregory Lubin then a  Physical Education teacher at the Entrepot Secondary School, looked at a slim looking Levern who had first entered school as a sprinter and thought it was necessary for her to take on the high jump. She accepted his invitation and the rest is history. So of course Mr Lubin has to be commended for identifying that talent 20 years ago, nurturing it and getting Levern to where she is right now.”

It has not been easy. Dixon mentioned that her journey has been a long one with lots of stress and hurdles along the way. Nevertheless this Golden Girl persevered and reached heights making her St Lucia’s most decorated athlete.

What are those heights? Dixon proudly listed them one by one: “First to make it to the finals of the World Championships, first to make it to the finals of the Olympics, first to win an international medal at the World Youth level in 2001.”

He added, “So prior to this one, Levern has done her bit for St Lucia. And of course like I said this is the big one – Commonwealth Games Champion, something that can never be taken away from her.”

The next speaker was Senator and President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc, Fortuna Belrose who is also President of Commonwealth Games St Lucia. She put Levern’s gold medal performance in perspective.

“As a Commonwealth Games Association of St Lucia, we are indeed proud because from 1962 our organization has been trying to win a medal – a gold medal at that, because Levern and Dominic Johnson [pole vault] did bronze medals for us in 2002, 2006, 2010 and of course 2014. We have been striving for that gold medal for a number of years and so Levern was able to deliver that medal.”

After congratulatory remarks from Belrose, it was Acting Prime Minister, Stephenson King’s turn. He said: “Today as we are gathered here on this square, a historic location to record one more time in history and this time it is sports.”

He echoed the sentiments of a nation by saying: “Levern has returned this afternoon to bring pride, joy and dignity to the entire population of St Lucia.”

Following King’s brief remarks, Master of Ceremonies Shirley Ann Lubin on behalf of her husband Gregory (Levern’s former coach), read a letter from him to the gold medalist. In part he stated: Look what you have done Levern. Your journey now starts – Japan 2020. Who would have thought from Babonneau to Entrepot Secondary School, you have shown the world such talents that we have.

In the letter Lubin encouraged everyone including, coaches, parents and corporate St Lucia, to play their role to produce our next generation of St Lucian athletes. He ended by stating thanks Dame Levern Spencer. One Love from Gregory Lubin.

During her brief remarks Spencer spoke about her love for country and thanked everyone for coming out and joining her “in celebrating what our tiny nation St Lucia has just achieved in the Gold Coast, Australia. A Commonwealth Games gold medal.”

Spencer proudly represents St Lucia at various competitions said: “What continues to motivate me during my 20 years of representing St Lucia in the sport of track and field, is the satisfaction of knowing that I can place my country on the world map through my achievements. It is something that has really motivated me.”