Feature Article August 29, 2001
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Plaque dedicated to Simon Whitfieldby David BrisonSimon Whitfield, the inaugural gold medal winner in the triathlon at the Sydney Olympics, has fond memories of Sharbot Lake. He participated in the Kids of Steel in 1987, at the age of 12, and several other Sharbot Lake triathlons in subsequent years. Simon told the world about Sharbot Lake, and its importance in his triathlon career, when he was interviewed after his Olympic win.
A plaque in honour of this illustrious young athlete was dedicated on Saturday morning August 25 on the Sharbot Lake beach the site of the triathlons which were held annually in Sharbot Lake up until five years ago, when they were cancelled because of a competing event in Kingston.
The plaque dedication was followed by a triathlon the first in what is hoped will be another long run of Sharbot Lake triathlons.
Simon wasnt here for either the dedication or the triathlon (he is in training for an upcoming event in Australia) but he was represented by his parents, Geoff and Linda, and his grandparents, Win and Jacki Ames.
At the dedication ceremony, Simons father Geoff spoke of the significance of Sharbot Lake for Simon. Athletes use visualization as part of their preparation for major competitions, and according to his father, it is the Sharbot Lake scene that Simon visualizes in training. It is an easy scene to store in ones mind the beach, with the lake and islands in the background, and the athletes preparing to enter the water for the first leg of the event.
Geoff Whitfield used the occasion to tell how Joan and Rudy Hollywood, their running sons Brandon and Rustin, and their Sharbot Lake cottage (now their home) played a major part in Simons development as a triathlete. He got started with the Hollywoods, and over the years has had a very special relationship with them, Geoff said. Once Simon and Brandon swam the seven miles from the Hollywood cottage to the beach in their wet suits and went up the local store and told them that Brandons mother needed milk! Geoff continued, Brandon and Simon were entered in a triathlon in Muskoka, and at the end, Simon began to fade. Brandon, who was ahead, stopped and waited for him to catch up. Brandon encouraged Simon to keep going, and they crossed the finish line together.
Joan and Rudy paid for the plaque themselves another one of the many contributions they have made over the years to the community.
The opening ceremonies were held at the bandstand. Joan Hollywood chaired, and Mayor Bill MacDonald, accompanied on the platform by councillors Elva Price and Faye Putnam, brought greetings from Central Frontenac. The crowd then moved to the corner of the beach where Leona Dombrowsky unveiled the plaque.
Readers might be interested in a story on the NewsWeb (www.inkingston.com/lolnw): Joan and Rudy Hollywood talk about Simon Whitfield and the Sharbot Lake Triathlon an interview with David Brison.
