The Honourable Anil Roberts, Minister of Sport expresses condolences on the passing of a legendary athlete in Trinidad and Tobago, Hylton Mitchell, at the age of 87. "I mourn with the local cycling family the loss of this giant. he was indeed a pioneer in many ways, and a true sportsman, switching discipines after a serious injury and remaining at the top of his game in para-sport through athletics and weightlifting. It is this courage and indomitable spirit that we admire and will dearly miss. To his family, the South-based club he co-founded - Southampton Wheelers - and his friends and fans, Hylton lived a full life, bringing up joy to all who were privileged to see him compete or to hear his life story."
Hylton Mitchell, who bore the fearsome nickname 'Barracuda' was as speedy and dangerous as the tropical fish, dominating the short and middle distances in Trinidad and Tobago cycling for much of the 1950s. His international career spanned the Pan Am Games to the Olympic Games but after an accident in 1958 which ended his cycling career, he took up athletics (javelin and shot put) and brought precious metal to Trinidad and Tobago at Commonwealth and Pan American Para-Games. He won Silver in Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in 1966 and Gold in the same event and Games in 1970. His triumphs in athletics - Gold in Javelin, Bronze in Shot Put came at Para Pan Am Games in 1967.
