A throng of excited young fans greeted 2010 Commonwealth Games champion Cydonie Mothersill recently during a visit to the Savannah Primary School.
Accompanied by Youth Minister, the Hon. Mark Scotland, JP; Bodden Town Member of the Legislative Assembly Dwayne Seymour; and PTA Vice-president Richard Christian, she encouraged students to be committed, respectful and disciplined. Qualities which she said helped her achieve the success she now celebrates.
The five-time Central America and Caribbean Games -- and now Commonwealth Games champion-- explained the determination and sacrifice that have gone into her 12-year career as a professional athlete.
Despite the many challenges, she said she really enjoys her job and is not quite ready to hang up her spikes.
“I enjoy travelling, even though it’s sometimes so tiring, and I love promoting our islands when I go to places like Poland and the Czech Republic and they ask ‘So where’s Cayman?’” she said.
Endorsing her school visits, Minister Scotland noted that it’s important for young students to see positive local role models: “Too often our young people look for role models on television which may not necessarily be the best ones.
“Therefore encouraging students to learn about our own sports heroes will hopefully provide the motivation to either be like them or to take the lessons of hard work, dedication, and commitment from their lives.”
Mothersill’s accomplishments include the gold medal in the 100 meter at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games, and a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships.
She has also competed in the IAAF World Athletics Championships twice, the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the 2005 World Championships, and the 2008 Olympics where she placed eighth.
