Following are remarks from current Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) President Wellington Miller at Sir Arlington Butler's Awards Ceremony and Reception at Government House on Friday evening:

First, let me add my voice of congratulations to Sir Arlington on receiving the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Pierre de Coubertin Award.
Sir Arlington is The Bahamas' own answer to Baron de Coubertin as an early and transformative leader of the Olympic Movement here in The Bahamas. When I first sat down to think about what to say in tribute to Sir Arlington, I realized that I would be speaking amongst many colleagues and admirers, but I feel that I have a unique point of view, having served with Sir Arlington for four years as vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Association, and having been around him for many years.
I remember in particular, during the trip from Nassau to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, as we were boarding the flight, the flight attendant was asking each person as they entered the plane, what sport they were taking part in. When she got to Sir Arlington, she asked the same question. Sir Arlington replied, "Gymnastics!"
The flight attendant was taken aback because she knew gymnastics athletes to be basically small people, slight in height and weight. She asked another flight attendant if this was really true? Could a person of his size really win a medal on the trampoline?
The truth is, of course, that as leader of the Olympic Movement in The Bahamas, Sir Arlington was responsible for all Olympic sports and athletes, gymnastics included. We in the Bahamas Olympic Committee thought it was very fitting to have this ceremony to honor Sir Arlington Butler for his wide involvement in sports and his long and unselfish service as president of the Bahamas Olympic Association, now committee.
Sir Arlington has spent over 50 years in the service and administration of sports in The Bahamas. Any one of us in sports can testify that this kind of involvement will sooner or later become an annoyance to your family, because you tend to be so passionate about sports and spend so much time in the exercise.
In those early days, when Sir Arlington was president, he had no office at first, so his car, his house, even his own professional office, became the places where Olympic documents were stored. It was not an easy task being a sports administrator in The Bahamas.
Sir Arlington, respect is shown here by the number of Olympic presidents and secretary generals who have come to be part of this celebration, and the amount of congratulations we have received from sporting dignitaries around the world. They have sent their best wishes and admiration for your work and contributions.
Sir Arlington was also instrumental in changing the name from the old British Empire Games to the Commonwealth Games. I understand that it was Sir Arlington who made that motion at the Commonwealth Games meeting when that change was made, so Sir Arlington, on behalf of the Olympic Movement in The Bahamas, the Bahamas Olympic Committee and all the sporting federations, associations and regional and international sporting leaders who have sent their best wishes, I say thank you very much, Sir, for preparing the road for us.
I could speak about the many good stories I hear about you when I talk with international sporting colleagues, but there is no doubt that you have made your contribution and now you can relax, because we shall carry it on your behalf. It gives me the greatest pleasure to have you receive the very first Bahamas Olympic Committee President's Award for excellence in service to sports, nationally and internationally.

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