Video: Olympic Medalist Clarence Hill Interview
Bermuda’s most decorated boxer Clarence Hill has encouraged the island’s Olympians and Paralympians to aspire for greatness in Paris.
Hill, who became the island’s first Olympic medal winner when he claimed bronze in the heavyweight division at the 1976 Montreal Games, describes competing against the best athletes in the world as an unforgettable privilege.
“Our athletes must train and not take anything for granted because the competition is very high,” Mr Hill told Bernews. “These are the Olympics – the competition will be great!”
Mr Hill, wearing one of the 2024 Olympic team shirts, strike a boxing pose at the Olympic Wall at the National Sport Center
In an entry of 20 heavyweights at the Montreal Games, Mr Hill beat Iran’s Parviz Badpa, knocking him out in the third and final round. In his second contest, Hill defeated Belgium’s Raudy Gauwe on points before losing on points to Mircea Simon of Romania in the semi-final.
“It was a great competition, and I was up against some very good people,” Mr Hill told Bernews. “It feels good to know that you are one of the few with the ability to win a medal.”
His medal win back in 1976 gave Bermuda the distinction of being the smallest nation to medal at a Summer Olympics, an honour we held for 45 years, and in notable timing, just days before San Marino – which is smaller than us — won a medal, Bermuda earned a new distinction, becoming the smallest nation to ever win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
“Thank you to Clarence,” Dame Flora Duffy said during the celebration for her gold medal win. “Thank you for being the first Bermudian to win a medal at the Olympic Games and showing us all what is possible, showing me – eight-year-old Flora – that a Bermudian could win a medal at the Olympic Games on a world stage, even from a small island like Bermuda.”
Interview with Don Burgess about Mr Hill’s boxing career
Four years after his medal win, Mr Hill turned professional, winning the vast majority of his fights before retiring in the 1980s.
When asked between his pro and amateur career what was his highlight, Mr Hill responded, “Just to be Clarence. Just to live life, enjoy my life, trust in the Lord, and just try my best to help those who I can help. If I can help somebody who is boxing, teach them something, I feel good.”
A few words from Mr Hill at the Olympic Wall
Bernews will be providing comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s athletes in the coming weeks, thanks to our sponsors Butterfield & Vallis, Auto Solutions, Clarien Bank and One Communications, and this video is part of our ‘Best interview the Best’ video series, which will be highlighting all of the athletes set to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics.
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