Leslie Miller is a straight talker. Expect that from him whatever the circumstances. Accordingly at the memorial this past Monday, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture at the Thomas Robinson National Stadium, Miller let loose, albeit, briefly.
While paying tribute to the late national hero Robinson, he emphatically noted the relatively small crowd. His view is that the occasion was one whereby thousands of Bahamians would have adjusted their schedules to be present. He lamented the general lack of appreciation for our heroes.
In a conversation, a few days later he said: "If one of those musicians from abroad, Jamaica or someplace was there, you would not have had standing room. But that was for our boy Tommy, I mean, as great as a person could be, and just a small portion of the stadium had people in seats."
I support his comments.
Complimentary words are said but the real test of demonstration is often failed when it comes time for true recognition of our sporting heroes.
Let me use Miller as a perfect example.
He has not in all these years been a part of any of the various classes for the National Hall of Fame. Incredibly when one understands the accomplishments in track and field that Miller represents, it becomes crystal clear that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture ought to put in place a panel that overlaps the eras, in order to do justice to the list of inductees.
The present panelists might have a difficulty with this position of mine, but I suggest that they don't see it as a criticism, rather a suggestion for the future.
Yes, let's look at Leslie Osborne Miller.
During the mid 1960s, he was the finest quartermiler in the entire state of Florida. He was the 400 meters rocket of Palmetto High School. His credentials etched in stone a reputation as one of the greats in the history of track and field in Florida. He followed that tenure by becoming one of the frontline varsity athletes at the University Of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
You wonder about his intensity and tenacity as a politician?
Well, during his time in college, the circuit included people like Lee Evans, Tommie Smith, Charlie Greene, Ronnie Ray Smith, Cliff Branch, Jim Hines and countless others.
Miller had to run against the lions of the sport, outdoors during the summer and indoors during the winter.
You didn't back up against the competitors of his day. You forged ahead or you were destroyed. Miller survived handsomely enough most times, to earn varsity letters. On a national scene, he was the forerunner to today's quality Bahamian runners over 400 meters.
When he broke the 47 seconds barrier (46.8 in the Mexico Olympics of 1968) it was another five years or so before another Bahamian was able to do the same. I submit also that the vast majority of those who remember the track star Leslie Miller, recall only his exploits as a quartermiler.
I knew him as one of the best long jumpers this country ever produced. Amazingly, he never trained for the event. Nevertheless, he could get up in the dead of night, stumble over to the long jump pit and without warming up, leap beyond 24 feet. This was 44 years ago.
I'm not exaggerating. At the Bahamian Olympic Trials in 1968, he ambled over to the long jump pit. Miller didn't do any jumping warm-ups, and never took a trial run down the strip.
When his name was called, he stepped to the runway, briefly got set and rumbled to the mark. He took off and landed with the winning jump of 24 feet-plus. Yes, that is history. It was Leslie Miller who the long jump trials for the 1968 Olympic Games. He had already earned a spot on the team in the 400 meters, so backed away for UTEP teammate Jerry Wisdom to earn a slot. That's generosity of a special kind.
That was the caliber of the man. His credentials are much better than many who have been inducted into the National Hall of Fame.
There seems to be no real appreciation for Miller and others, like a certain Leroy Archer Sr., a former high jump local champion who went on to become the greatest soccer player, thus far, in Bahamian history.
It is definitely a second-class approach when those who don't really know the true backgrounds, are positioned to list our heroes.
Sadly, they seem to know just a small percentage of them.

o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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