History
The idea of formation of a National Olympic Committee evolved from the existing and functional Dominica Amateur Athletic Association (DAAA) and Dominica Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA). The Dominica Amateur Athletic Association was founded by Oswald B. Savarin and Felix A. Wilson in December 1982 responding to the call for its formation by Stephen Agar and Julius Lewis, two athletes of the Striders Athletics Club. Between late November 1985 and early 1986 a few sporting Associations were invited to the Sixth Form College (as it was called then) to a meeting to explore the formation of an Olympic Committee. Rupert Lake from Antigua gave some guidelines based on his experience and participation as an officer of the Antigua Olympic Committee.
A Steering Committee to include Rolston St. Hilaire (secretary) and Felix Wilson (vice president) from the (DAAA), Joyce Rabess (Netball), Clifford Severin (DLTA) (treasurer) and Francis Dupigny (president). Dupigny became the first President nominated by Clifford Severin and elected in absentia. Dupigny had just retired from Barclays Bank as Manager and had indicated to Severin his willingness to serve.
There were no recorded meetings of that Steering Committee. The Steering Committee remained in abeyance for a period of time until a retired distinguished Lawyer, F.O.C. Harris, took on the mantle late 1986 and attempted to structure the Olympic steering committee. He was personally responsible for drafting a constitution, which remained until 1997.
Mr. Harris made contact with Olympic Committees in the region to include that of Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica. In Jamaica, Herb Mckinley, in Barbados Austin Sealy, an IOC member and in Puerto Rico Amandeo Francis regional IAAF representative, either made representation or gave support for Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Kitts’ entry in the family of the International Olympic Committee. The Dominica three A’s, under Secretary Thompson Fontaine played its part because DAAA saw itself as the main beneficiary of the existence of a DOC.
Dominica ’s small size and economics meant it could be and were ignored by the echelon of the IOC. The breakaway republics in Yugoslavia, Russia and even South Africa being inducted as members about the time Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Kitts were seeking entry. This caused a breakdown in the morale of the Steering Committee.
The non-affiliated DOC embarked in August 1988 on a major project dubbed “RACE AGAINST TIME” in which National Olympic Committees around the world were asked to use sport as a vehicle to raise funds to fight poverty. DOC’s first public image became noticeable then. Dominica was celebrating its 10 th year of Independence“ REUNION 88”.
Dominica , Trinidad and Brazil were the three territories in our hemisphere carded to receive large benefits from the London based organizers of the world link-up in the “RACE AGAINST TIME”. Some of those organizers eventually went to jail for fraud. Cosie Harris died on March 26, 1989. This left a void and disillusionment in the steering Committee. Later that year, there was the return of Francis Dupigny to head the Committee. It existed until December 1993 when we were informed that Dominica under the FOC Harris Constitution had been inducted into the IOC.
Elections in early 1994 were vicious and chaotic as one could imagine with the seemingly opportunistic ascension to world recognition and involvement. Havis Shillingford, just retired from public service as Sports coordinator, and called as the retaining officer, became president displacing Mr. Francis Dupigny. The rest of the team included Felix Wils1on – Vice President, Joyce Rabess - Secretary, Clifford Severin - Treasurer, Michael Leblanc, Rosanne Pringle, Herbert Joseph, Ainsworth Irish and Peterson Charles as members.
In 1996, however, Dominica made its celebrated entry into the OLYMPICS. APRIL 1997 saw the ascendancy of a new and dedicated team of sports administrators led by President Felix A. Wilson. Other officers included Thomas Dorsett (DLTA)- Secretary, John Lewis (DAAA)- Treasurer (who later resigned), Herbert Joseph (DABA)- Vice President, Ainsworth Irish –Assistant Secretary, Derek Angol, David [Val] Nicholas (Swimming), Rosanne Pringle Treasurer co-opted, Nathaniel Isaac (DAVA) and Adenaur Douglas (DABA).
STRUCTURE/OPERATIONS
The Dominica Olympic Committee represents the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Dominica and executes its mandate as defined in the Olympic Charter of the Olympic Movement. The Olympic solidarity is the administrative arm of the IOC. The aim of the Olympic Solidarity as defined in the Olympic Charter, is to organize aid to NOCs recognized by the IOC; in particular those which have the greatest need for it. This aid takes the form of programmes elaborated jointly by the IOC and the NOCs, with the technical assistance of International Federations, if necessary. All such programmes are administered by the Olympic Solidarity Commission, which is chaired by the President of the IOC.
A National Olympic Committee, must have five (5) duly constituted Olympic Sports, which are affiliated to their respective International Federation to be recognized by the IOC. DOC has fourteen (14) affiliates of which eight (8) are Olympic Sports: Athletics, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming and Taekwondo. DOC itself is affiliated to the Caribbean NOC Caucus, Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Sport Organization [regional] and Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) [continental] and IOC [world]. It also represents the Commonwealth Games Federations (CGF) which is responsible for the Commonwealth Games – CGF is an intercontinental body not linked to the IOC – (Formerly British Empire).
Our affiliation to those bodies is highlighted in terms of our participation in the CAC, PANAM and Olympic Games respectively. Solidarity is manifested at General Assemblies every two years in order to maintain quality and consistency in the management of those Games and NOCs themselves.
The nine (9)- person executive of the DOC hold monthly meetings and AGM constitutionally due in March of each year. Members are elected every four years in the year following the summer Olympic Games. DOC keeps in close contact with its affiliates throughout a calendar year. Each Olympic affiliate submits a four (4)- year plan, which is defined in terms of Technical Courses, and equipment needs.
DOC secured a two (2)-year (1998-2000) Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Sydney 2000 for three Olympic hopefuls: Dawn Williams-Sewer, Sherwin James (one year) and Jerome Romain. The latter acceded to France Olympic Program after his native country denied his request for some additional assistance. DOC also secured an Olympic Solidarity Coaching scholarship to help develop the local football structure.
The Dominica Olympic Committee since 1997 has celebrated the IOC’s birthday June 23, with an Olympic Day Run five (5) kilometers and other Sporting Activities. In June 1999, DOC conducted its first IOC accredited sports management course attended by twenty-six (26) individuals including DOC executives and officials of sporting affiliates.
A massive ‘SPORTS FOR ALL’ event involving Dominica’s Primary Schools, about nine hundred (900 students) and athletics was conducted in October 1998. This was in collaboration with the Sports Division Ministry of Education Sports and Youth Affairs and sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity Movement.
THE OLYMPICS
OUR FIRST ENTRY – THE OLYMPICS – ATLANTA 1996
Undeniable the most significant sporting event of Dominica’s History unfolded on July-August 1996 in Atlanta Georgia U.S.A. Irving Shillingford prowess in the West Indies Cricket Team or Frank Bruno’s attempt at the world heavyweight championship or Anthony Nesty’s (of Dominican parentage – first black gold medallist) swimming gold medal in Seoul 1988, all pale in comparison to Dominica as a nation being represented at the Olympics. It is reported that some 45, 000 Dominicans (more than half of the population) were glued to television sets to witness that grand opening and Dominica’s entry into the Olympics. Sadly, NBC TV blanked out the section depicting Dominica with some sort of commercial at that same time of our entry into the giant Olympic Stadium at the Centennial Games on the evening of Friday July 19, 1996. Significantly, Dominica’s entry coincided with the celebration of one hundred years of the Modern Olympic Games.
The following persons – athletes –officials – dignitaries, represented Dominica:
| ATHLETICS | |
|---|---|
| Jerome Romain | Triple Jump |
| Dawn Williams-Sewer | 800m |
| Hermine Joseph | 100m & 200m |
| Cedric Harris | 800m |
| Stephen Agar | 1500m |
| Woodrow Lawrence | 100m Freestyle (swimming) |
| OFFICIALS | |
| Val Nicholas | Swimming Coach |
| Curtley Bynoe | Athletic Coach |
| Michael Seaman | Athletic Manager |
| Wilbur Kelsick | Chiropractor |
| Felix Wilson | Chef De Mission |
| ACCOMPANYING | |
| Prime Minister | Edison James |
| Minister of Sport | Ron Green |
| DOC President | Havis Shillingford |
| DOC Secretary | Joyce Rabess |
| DOC Treasurer | Clifford Severin |
Jerome Romain world ranked five (5) best triple jumper at the time had secured a Bronze medallist in 1995 at the World Athletic Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden. Dominica with such a formidable athlete as Jerome on its team and all other track and field athletes qualified, appeared as the envy of the smaller islands of the Caribbean. Romain reached the finals of the triple jump but with a nagging knee injury he had to forgo his three jumps in the finals. He was the Dominican’s team flag bearer at the games.
The other athletes distinguished themselves particularly Dawn Williams-Sewer who narrowly missed entry into the 800m finals but recorded a time of 2 mins. We had however made history. We began to formulate dreams for Sydney 2000.
CONCLUSION
Dominica Olympic Committee pledges to:
- Encourage participation at regional and international level of sport and related activities.
- Assist and encourage all affiliates in strengthening of their organizational structures and functions.
- Increase and promote public awareness of Olympic ideals and sports.
- Promote the development of women and youths in sports administration and participation.
- Establish a Headquarters for the National Olympic Committee.
The success of this sport administrative body, the Dominica Olympic Committee, relies on the level of Sports development and that of related activities of Sports Medicine, Sports and the Environment, Sports for Women and Youth and in fact ‘Sports for All’.