THE next Olympics Games in Los Angeles will mark 48 years since Guyanese Boxer Mike Parris won a Bronze Medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

That Medal is Guyana’s lone accolade since this country first participated in the Olympics in 1948. It is also the only medal by a boxer from the English-speaking Caribbean.

The ongoing Paris Olympics produced historical gold medals for St Lucia and Dominica, their first Olympic medals.
On the 44th Anniversary of Parris’ Bronze, the 66-year-old former pugilist talked about the main difference between boxers when he fought and those of today while re-living his 1980 performance in Moscow.

The diminutive Parris, who fought in 48 Amateur fights between 1972 and 1982 feels the difference between 1980-1990, said, “Over the years the Ministry of Sport has taken their emphasis on the development of sports in Guyana to another level. The athletes have better opportunities and training facilities.

However, they’re a lot more distractions compared to what we had in our time. That’s why being focused should be the aim. The coaches can only do so much,” said Parris who lost in the semis in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada.

“In boxing, I think they should have different levels of coaches, not to condemn any of the hard work the coaches do… but I believe having different coaches would be beneficial. The coaches can only do what they know. This higher-level coach should step in…for example, a coach who has had the opportunity to perform at the highest level.
The youths today have to stay focused to obtain that goal. I always followed my four ‘D’s…discipline, devotion, dedication and determination. I pushed myself to become better every day. Staying focused on what they want to do is very important,” explained Parris who does some voluntary coaching at the Pace and Power Gym in Castelo Housing Scheme.

“One of the most memorable moments in my life was being selected to represent Guyana at the 1980’s Olympics.
Coming from a hot country the temperature in Russia was the complete opposite.

“It was very cold and freezing even though most of the Russians had said it was a warm day for them. To get to Russia we had to travel to Jamaica then to Cuba and other countries but we got to Russia early, before the competition had started. I knew right away that I had to “acclimatise” myself to adjust to the conditions,” continued Parris who grew up in Princess Street, Lodge.

“Exercising at the training facilities was difficult, our breathing was being affected by the coldness. From that day I would stay in my hotel room and turn the air conditioner down to a colder temperature and start my training instead of going sightseeing. I isolated myself.

I was filled with excitement, especially after realising that I was the first Guyanese to win an Olympic medal. Seeing the Golden Arrowhead go up and hearing the crowd cheer, I can’t explain the feeling I had at that moment.

It was later that I found out that I was the first boxer in the English-speaking Caribbean to win an Olympic medal also, that moment was filled with more joy and excitement.

Some of the Russians came up to me and asked how I did it coming from Guyana and winning a medal. I told them about my preparations,” remembered Parris.

“My most memorable moment was winning that medal. To this day, I remember that moment, I still don’t know what happened. I remember standing up, seeing the flag going up in the air and the crowd celebrating, knowing that it was my first time representing Guyana at 23 years old and winning a medal.

To this day, I would lie in my bed and remember that. It will stay with me until I di,” the father of six girls and two boys, added.
“I turned Pro in 1982 after returning from the Olympics because I had already gone past the highest level at the amateur stage and it was unlikely that I would have been able to take part in another Olympic Games… so that was my only other option.

My biggest disappointment is not being able to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 1982. Leading up to the competition, I had to spar with a boxer, Anthony Barrow to be selected. I felt like I performed well and won that fight but the decision by the judges was that Anthony Barrow won and he was selected to compete in that tournament,” concluded Parris.

Meanwhile, Parris’s 44th anniversary of his ‘Bronz’ will be celebrated with a fitness walk from the Bank of Guyana to Seawall Bandstand from 7:30 hours.

Mike Parris t-shirts with various motivational slogans will be sold. The public is invited to join the walk.