By FELICIA RAMPERSAD Thursday, September 11 2008

SIX-YEAR-OLD cancer patient Shakira Robinson, yesterday presented members of the TT 4x100 men’s relay team, who won silver in the Beijing Olympics, with a teddy bear, which she told them, would be their friend.

Clearly moved by the gesture, the sprint quartet which includes Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callendar and Aaron Armstrong spoke lovingly to the shy child and posed for pictures with her.

The simple event, at the Naparima Bowl, capped off a day of celebrations as the southern city feted the Olympic heroes by way of a motorcade and presentation of the Keys to the City, by Mayor Kenneth Ferguson. Robinson, a member of the Just Because Foundation, also gave a teddy bear to TT sportswoman Candice Scott.

Thompson, who also won silver in the Olympic 100 metre finals, placed one of the medals around Robinson’s neck. He praised her for being brave in the face of such a frightening disease.

Thompson reiterated his call for the nation’s youth to lead a positive life, stay away from drugs, crime and violence. He also stressed the value of an education. “You have to understand that at any moment something can go wrong. If an athlete gets into a car accident or injures himself, his or her career is jeopardised. All your teachers are trying to do is to prepare you for the future. Balance sport with school and always believe in the Father,” Thompson advised.

Students from Presentation College, San Fernando Government Secondary, San Fernando East Secondary and St. Benedicts College attended the discussion.

Makayla Armstrong, of San Fernando Secondary Comprehensive, told the panel that as a swimmer, she needs to get up early for training and wanted to know if any of them ever felt like not doing it.

Thompson replied, “Think of your rewards in the end and that should be your motivation.” Scott added that her motivation lay in the knowledge that if she was not training, her competitors were. Mayor Ferguson told the athletes they were ambassadors of the country and role models to the youth. Noticeably absent from yesterday’s San Fernando event was Marc Burns who is currently abroad preparing for the International Athletics Championships on Saturday.