He was honoured for his decades of service to sport and the Olympic Movement on the island by receiving the Pierre de Coubertin Award from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also became the inaugural recipient of the BOC President's Award.

Named after the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, the Pierre de Coubertin Award recognises those "who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship in Olympic events or through exceptional service to the Olympic Movement".

Sir Arlington became the fourth President of the Bahamas Olympic Association (BOA), which later became the BOC, in 1973 and spent more than 35 years in the role before being succeeded by current President Wellington Miller in 2008.

When he took over the BOA the Bahamas had claimed only two sailing medals at the Olympic Games, at Melbourne 1956 when Sir Durward Knowles and Sloan Farrington took bronze and at Tokyo 1964 thanks to Sir Durward and Cecil Cooke.

During Sir Arlington's tenure the Bahamas won seven Olympic medals, all in athletics, including two golds at Sydney 2000 for Pauline Davis-Thompson in the women's 200 metres and women's 4x100m relay, followed by gold for Tonique Williams-Darling in the 400m at Athens 2004.

He also spent four years as President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) from 1964 to 1968.

Joining Miller to pay tribute to Sir Arlington were numerous members of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the Caribbean, as well as the Governor General of the Bahamas, Sir Arthur Foulkes, and Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Tonique Williams-Darling won Olympic gold for the Bahamas at Athens 2004 under the reign of former BOC President Sir Arlington Butler ©Bongarts/Getty Images



Christie hailed Sir Arlington's contribution to the development of sport in the Bahamas and his role in establishing the country at an international level, describing him as "Mr Olympics".

"When you thought about the Bahamas in the context of the Olympics, you could not help but focus on Sir Arlington Butler and his magnificent contributions to the development of the Olympic Movement here in the Bahamas and in the wider region as well," he said.

"Indeed, it has been truly said of him that his very name is synonymous with Bahamian involvement in the Olympics in the modern era.

"He really put us on the map with the IOC.

"He was a major contributing factor to the development of the sporting prowess of the Bahamas, especially track and field competition at the Olympic level."

Sir Arlington also revealed his pride at being recognised for his efforts adding that his only regret was the absence of his wife, Lady Sheila, following her death last August.

"The night was immeasurable," he said.

"It was remarkable because I expected something to happen, but I didn't expect anything as elaborate as this.

"It's unbelievable and I found out that my collegiate in the Caribbean were appreciative of what I did over the years.

"I'm disappointed that she [Lady Sheila] was not here to share in it, but she was so special that I know that she is right here by my side even though she is not here in person."

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