Olympic torch chance worth the weight for champ Louis
By Derby Telegraph | Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 07:30
A FORMER weightlifter who won two Olympic medals in a glittering career says being part of the 2012 Torch Relay is "priceless" to him.
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Main picture, Louis Martin at The Room in the Park gym on Handford Street. Right, top and middle, Louis in his weightlifting heyday and bottom, pictured with his Olympic silver medal.
Louis Martin, of Castle Court, Heanor, is among the 8,000 torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic flame on its tour of the UK ahead of the London Games.
And the 75-year-old says the honour makes him just as proud as when he won bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics and silver at Tokyo 1964.
Mr Martin – who also won four world mid-heavy championships and four European titles – said: "When I was invited to carry the Olympic torch I thought it was a great honour.
"You can't buy it – it's priceless. It will be one of my best Olympic experiences."
Unlike most torchbearers, Mr Martin has had some experience in taking part in mass events celebrating a huge sporting occasion, such as the Olympic Games.
He said: "I carried the Great Britain flag at the Commonwealth Games in 1966. But carrying the Olympic flame will be something else."
Over the years, Mr Martin, who was born in Jamaica, has had to overcome racial prejudice when, in November 1964, he married Derby girl Ann Robinson at what is today known as the Central United Reformed Church.
Eyebrows were raised at a time when mixed-race relationships were frowned upon.
Their relationship broke new ground and the couple were interviewed in the first colour supplement produced by the Sunday Times.
Their story was considered so important that the Sunday Times sent their top photographer, Lord Snowdon, then the husband of the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, to take the pictures.
After retiring from weightlifting, Mr Martin opened a small gym near his home in Rowditch Avenue, Derby, so that he could pass on his skills to Derby's deprived youngsters.
The gym provided access for those who could not afford the city's other facilities.
He ran it for many years until he gave it up in 2004 – after 34 years of rearing champions – to care for his ill wife, who died three years later.
Despite now taking a back-seat in the sport, Mr Martin remains the president of The British Weightlifting Association, which nominated him to carry the torch.
On Friday, June 29, the flame will travel around Derbyshire, with at least 65 torchbearers running approximately 300 metres with it at various locations along the route.
They include Glapwell, Bolsover, Calow, Chesterfield, Matlock, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Buxton, Ashbourne and into Derby, where televised celebrations will be held in the Market Place and Darley Park.
The torch will leave Derby early the next day and travel through South Derbyshire to Burton.
Comments
A well deserved honor, To a great personality an outstanding sportsman, plus a truly down to earth guy. People who knew him like Bill Miller, Lew's trainer who passed away at a very important time, The late Eric Robinson, Also Brian (Butch ) Cliff, myself and so many more,
would endorse what a modest yet great personality.
I felt for Lewis when I heard of the sad loss of his dearest wife Ann,
So proud to have been aquainted with Lew, One of our greatest sportsmen,
Lewis by the way is also quiet a good poet.
Ray Hannah BARRY SOUTH WALES.
By rayandcar at 10:59 on 22/07/12
ReportCongratulations to Uncle Louie Martin. He lived with us when we lived in Derby for many years during his body building days and training for the Olympics. We were so proud of him then and I am so glad that he is now receiving this well-deserved honour. He is not my really Uncle, but thats what we knew him as and he was a kind and gentle man with some "big muscles." Uncle Louie, if you are seeing this, Uncle Carl gave me this site to see your accomplishments and we are still so proud of you. Please give him a Carl and get my email address. This is Marjorie, Jane and Wilbert's daughter. Marva and Ken send their best wishes too for continued success. All the Best, we will be watching on the Telly.
By myflash55 at 17:21 on 15/06/12
ReportSpondon, you have about said it all. When he became known, Louis was certainly a local hero. I followed his exploits keenly when i was a teenager.
By seisnag at 17:14 on 01/06/12
ReportLouis Martin is a true champion and I was priviledged to watch him train at the Barbell Club on Cockpit Hill in the 1960's when I was allowed to get myself in better shape. The building was in very poor condition and rain came down the walls, it was cold in winter and hot in summer but Louis, Slim and a few others battled on to achieve fantastic results. I recall a visit from some Russian athletes who were astonished at the Dickensian conditions that Louis trained in and I think some Cubans also found it hard to believe one so great was treated so badly. He was indeed famous and celebrated all around the world in body building and weight lifting circles. Sponsorship was not a thing that featured at that time and with his heavy work and punishing training and competition schedule the calorie intake must have been very hard to achieve. His great sucess was despite a full time job at Celanese and later at British Rail workshops with a relatively modest salary. Far from receiving great wealth and prowess from his sport he was largely overlooked in the UK.
Derby of course eventualy welcomed him as one of us after the racial prejudice finaly became less prevalent. He worked within the community giving help and encouragement to his protoges at his own expense and gave up many hours to support all who showed any interest or ability in his sport..
He is a true Olympian, modest, generous with his time and community spirit and I am proud this gentle giant chose to live in Derby for so many years.
By spondon at 16:01 on 01/06/12
ReportCongratulations to Loius on this well-deserved honour. I still remember meeting Louis for the first time when he wandered into the Herculean Barbell Club in the mid-fifties.
Because I was the only one in the club with a car I transported Louis to many shows around the Midlands where he won all the body-building competitons. This was prior to him taking up competitive weight-lifting
He had a wonderful happy personality and this accolade could not be awarded to a more deserving person.
Geoff Alcock, Glendale, Arizona
By American2010 at 20:25 on 31/05/12
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