Hamilton named sportsperson of the year
Doug Hamilton was grateful to be named the 2019 St. Catharines Sportsperson of the Year, but the Chairman of the 2021 Canada Games feels the honour should be a team award.
“The award goes in my name, but it’s really because of the success and the opportunity that comes from the Canada Games and how we’ve been doing this,” Hamilton said. “I guess I’m the spokesperson but there’s lot of people who are working very hard.
“It’s really a recognition of the whole games and the volunteer team of the games. Somebody has to get it, but it’s on behalf of the team.”
Hamilton feels the award reflects how well things are progressing and the interest in the community the games have already generated.
“One of the things that is particularly gratifying is that the award is, in my mind, sort of symbolic our the success of hosting the games,” said Hamilton, a 61-year-old Toronto native. “It’s gratifying that people are seeing the games as being important to Niagara and something that is a once-in-a-life opportunity for Niagara and they see it as going well.”
Hamilton comes to the games with extensive experience. He was involved in both the Toronto 2008 Olympic bid and the 2015 Canada Games bid and games.
He was approached to act as chairman and was immediately interested, despite the daunting task.
“It is a ton of work. I’ve done this a couple of times before,” he said.
Having said that, he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to leave a legacy in Niagara.
“It depends on who makes the ask. I have a lot of time and regard for Tim Rigby, and others in Niagara, and when they asked, it’s pretty hard to say no to people like that.
“I was still working in Toronto but agreed to help out a little bit and like everything else that’s sort of fun to do, you get sucked in and you do more and more and soon it’s occupying most of your free time.”
Hamilton’s goal is to make the games more than just a logistical success.
“The thing that is challenging about it is you can make the games as phenomenal as you can. It’s not something you’re trying to get across the finish line. You’re trying to make them the best possible so there is no real finish line. You’re always trying to squeeze the next little bit to make it all the much better. That’s a little bit daunting because the harder you work, the better they’re going to be.
“Our whole purpose for the games is we want to have a great two weeks, but we also want to leave a legacy. The two weeks, in a sense, there is a template for that. We’re the 28th games and we’ll do that really well, it’s the legacy piece that excites me. We’re really excited about that.”
Sport has played a huge role in Hamilton’s life.
He won a bronze medal in the men’s quadruple sculls event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, a gold medal at the 1985 World Rowing Championships in men’s quadruple sculls, and bronze medals in the same event at the 1986 World Rowing Championships and 1987 World Rowing Championships. He also competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
His wife, Lynn Polson, was a member of Team Canada women’s basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics who is also a volunteer with the games. They are parents to former Niagara IceDogs Dougie Hamilton and Freddie Hamilton. Dougie is currently with the Carolina Hurricanes while Freddie is a business student at Brock.
“Sport is about a lifestyle,” he said. “Sport is about a philosophy. I participated in the Olympics. I married an Olympic athlete, we had two sons who played hockey at a high level, so it’s a really important part of our life, but our whole family sees it as sort of a lifestyle and philosophy to how you conduct everything else you do.”
Hamilton, who is devoting himself full-time to the games, is confident everything is on task for the games, which will be held in August 2021.
“It’s going really well,” he said. “We are really pleased with its progress. We have a number of things that are happening. We have a great volunteer team that is currently engaged and are recruiting more, and so we have some stuff happening.
“We’ve already had couple of great test events with the FIBA basketball and Olympic wrestling trials and then have the Minto Cup and lacrosse happening this summer.
“Things are gearing up really well and we’re really excited.”
The 2019 Sportsperson of the Year and Athlete of the Year Awards will be presented Monday prior to the meeting of St. Catharines city council.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, as well as on the top of the stories, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
