ALEC BURNS, father of Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Marc Burns, anticipates a good showing from his son at the Olympic Games in London, England.
“He’s doing well, thank God for that,” said the elder Burns, when asked about the feedback he has been receiving from his son in England. “He’s healthy. He’s just willing to give 100 percent to Trinidad and Tobago, ever since he came on the scene. We are grateful for that, thank God for health and strength.
“His demeanour, how he carries about himself, he’s learnt that from early,” the elder Burns continued. “It’s something we always try to instill in him, once you’re on the international stage, no matter how much (events) you win or how much money you make, that don’t make you a person. You have to live up to certain expectations and certain standards, respect people and their likes.
“He’s been soundly taught as far as that is concerned. Thank God for that upbringing from myself, my wife and other people who were around him and ensured the product that you see now.”
Burns (A) admitted, “his mother don’t like to go to the Stadium much when he’s running down here. She’s always fidgety, ever since.
“I’m more prone to these kind of things because I’ve been in (sports) all my life. I would have my little butterflies like everything else. I’m hoping that the team would do well, our Trinidad (and Tobago) team.”
Asked if he meant the track and field contingent or the entire TT Olympic squad, Burns (A) replied, “overall, well Marc included. I’m 100 percent behind our team. I hope that we do well.
“The medal count is one thing. It’s really excellent to have medals but, sometimes, when you look at the learning experience and the learning curve for some of the young athletes, it’ll serve them in good stead. We have to be behind them and, once we have projections, I guess we’ll be on the right track.
“A lot of people just want to see you (get) medals but they’re not looking at where you’re at and where you go from. Big countries with millions more people than us have not even achieved what we’ve achieved. That, in itself, is a plus.”
Looking at the future of his son, in the track and field arena, Burns (A) said, “depends on his fitness. When his body says stop and when he cannot compete because he loves it, that’s what he does.
“He loves it and he trains hard. He’s a fitness freak and he lives the sport. He has been going from stage to stage, World Juniors, Carifta and he has been right up in every sphere. Every stage you go he has been outstanding. That in itself is an achievement.
“We are grateful for that and thankful for the Lord, and I hope that he keeps fit and healthy,” he ended.
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