Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

DEON HEMMINGS-McCatty, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games 400m hurdles champion, received Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence on Tuesday night at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The brainchild of former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, the award is one which recognises the achievements of sports persons who display a high level of humility, integrity, discipline and other exemplary qualities while excelling in their chosen field.

In receiving the award from Senator Delano Franklyn, who represented Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Hemmings-McCatty, who also won silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, said she was thrilled.

"I am totally humbled to be given the honour of the second Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence in Sports," said Hemmings-McCatty, a former York Castle and Vere Technical student.

Pride and humility

"It is with a real sense of pride and heart-felt humility that I accept this award in the name of someone who has been a shining example to his fellow athletes. Walsh is a beacon for our young people to follow and I am honoured to be associated with him through this prestigious award."

Walsh said there could not have been a better person to claim the honour this year.

"When I viewed the list of nominees, I would not like to have been in the shoes of the selection committee as I know it must have been a tough decision to single out just one person. But I must say that I am extremely pleased at the final selection ... Hemmings-McCatty is someone whose career I have watched in awe and this award is truly well deserved," he said. "One of the things I have learned over the years is that success does not automatically drop in anyone's lap. It has to be earned through hard work, discipline and effort," Walsh said of the 1997 CAC champion.