Some will say it was a year too late, some will say it should never have happened at all, but an emotional Clarence Hill was finally elevated to the Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

The Olympic bronze medallist, whose sporting achievements have constantly been overshadowed by his shady and criminal past, was the crowd favourite in a glitzy ceremony at the Fairmont Southampton Princess and a prolonged standing ovation greeted his elevation to Bermuda's official sporting elite.

Hill, who made Bermuda the smallest ever nation to win an Olympic medal when he claimed the bronze in Montreal in 1976, was the sixth name to be called on a nostalgic night for Bermuda sport.

Also to make it in from the 25 nominees in the class of 2005 were legendary cricketer Nigel (Chopper) Hazel, May 24 Derby favourite Ed Sherlock, bowler Hattieann Gilbert, top boxer Troy Darrell, sailor Kirk Cooper, footballer Carlton (Pepe) Dill, his 1967 Pan-Am Games silver medal-winning team as well as the the joint posthumous admission of DJ Williams and Randy Benjamin for their achievements on and off the field in athletics and the Olympic movement.

But it was Hill's election that will keep tongues wagging around Bermuda sports ground at least until next year's festivities.

"I am overjoyed," said Hill, who was only released from hospital this week after a week-long stay following an allergic reaction to tablets.

"I have had a lot of support in the last year, bunches of people have told me they want me in and that I should have gone in last year.

"I think I maybe should have gone in before ? I am still the only Bermudian to have won an Olympic medal ? but I am glad I went in this time.

"I have been nervous about this all week so it was a relief when they got to my name."

Hill received the loudest cheer when his name was read out and Premier Alex Scott's congratulatory remarks ? barely audible due to a bizarre lack of a microphone ? made it clear that Hill's negative past was not being ignored.

"A real champion is one who gets knocked down but gets up again," he said.

And neither Hill nor his son were prepared to brush his unsavoury past under the carpet.

"Overcoming the challenges in my life are nearly as great an achievement as winning an Olympic medal," said Hill, who spent a large proportion of his evening with tears in his eyes.

"This is a proud moment for me. When I won my medal I said I wanted to help boxing in Bermuda and now I have my boxing school going, I feel like I am finally fulfilling my promise."

His son, who fought the heavyweight in an exhibition bout earlier this year, added: "He hasn't always been the best father to me but we are together now and I am so proud of him."

Hill was not the only inductee to cry in the second year of the Hall of Fame. Fellow boxer Darrell, whose mother passed away within the last year, was also moved to tears when invited to the stage.

And there was more emotion from another hugely popular inductee, the winner of six out of seven Marathon Derbies. The ageing Sherlock, who was fondly remembered as the Black Stallion, looked as fragile now as he did graceful and powerful back in his heyday, but spoke with the grace of a worthy Hall inductee.

"I am so very happy," he said. "All those labours from all of those years were not in vain.

"You gave me my roses while I am still alive, and they smell so sweet."

Dill had the honour of being inducted twice on the night, going in for his individual footballing exploits and then as part of the Pan- Am silver medallists, a team for whom he was top scorer.

Clyde Best, an inductee at last year's inaugural ceremony, was also a member of that team and enters the Hall for the second time.

The evening was an entertaining and moving event, a fitting tribute to Bermuda's sporting greats. But, like last year, all the talk was about a certain boxer and his fights both in and outside of the ring.