Bermuda’s first medal-winner at the Carifta Games has joined the Bermuda Olympic Association as its programme co-ordinator, bringing to the job more than 30 years of experience as a collegiate athletic administrator, instructor and head coach.

Branwen Smith-King recently returned to Bermuda after many years working at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts and is the executive director of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation. Smith-King, the mother of former Olympic long jumper Arantxa King, was an outstanding athlete herself, winning Bermuda’s first medal at the inaugural Carifta Games in Barbados in 1972 when she took Bermuda’s only gold with a winning throw of 9.75 metres in the shot.

In her BOA role, Smith-King will have responsibility for overseeing the BOA’s participation in the Olympic solidarity and Pan American Sports Organisation programmes.

She will further develop the BOA’s relationship with the national sports governing bodies in Bermuda and advise and co-ordinate with the governing bodies on matters related to the Olympic Solidarity and Pan American Sports Organisation programmes, which fund programmes for the development and participation of local athletes in international festivals.

Smith-King is excited about joining the BOA and helping assist the next generation of athletes.

“To me, athletics represents the beauty of humankind,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak, what colour your skin is or what country you’re from.

“Differences in who we are don’t matter when the starting gun goes off or the game begins. I experienced this first-hand as an athlete, coach and administrator. I loved every minute of the competitive environment and personal growth that sport can provide.”

At Tufts, Smith-King held the posts of Assistant Director of Athletics, Physical Education Director and head coach of the women’s cross-country and track and field teams. She was a member of the Bermuda National Track and Field Association junior and senior teams from 1971 to ‘79 and won Bermuda’s first Carifta Games medal.

Smith-King also served as manager/coach of the Bermuda national track team at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Rio, was team trainer for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and manager/trainer at the 1983 Pan Am Games in Puerto Rico. She holds bachelor of science and master of education degrees in physical education from Springfield College.

Judy Simons, president of the BOA, is delighted with the appointment of Smith-King to the BOA. “It is my pleasure to welcome Branwen to the BOA team as our new programme co-ordinator,” Simons said.

“With her background in athletics, as a competitor, coach and administrator, she is the right person to help us continue to strengthen our relationships with the NSGBs and ensure we’re giving Bermuda’s young athletes every opportunity to progress and compete internationally. We are glad to have her on board.”