The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the entire Olympic Movement today mourns the passing of the revered Sir Arlington Butler, longest serving President of the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC). He died earlier today.

CANOC extends sincere condolences to the immediate family of Sir Arlington Butler as well as to the entire Olympic and sporting fraternities of the Bahamas.

We well remember Sir Arlington’s commitment to the Olympic Movement and his remarkable involvement in the development of both the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). His contributions to General Assemblies and Executive Committees of these organisations were always particularly informative and manifestly articulated.

Sir Arlington saw himself as a Caribbean man who always represented the region with distinction. Importantly, he remained an outstanding Bahamian who never forgot his unflinching commitment to his country in everything he did. His presence was simply remarkable.

CANOC expresses its commitment to the proud and lasting legacy of Sir Arlington Butler not only in the Bahamas, his home, but across the Caribbean. We are all imbued with the same passion he brought to the Movement and are therefore ever emboldened to strive ahead with confidence in pursuit of a better world through Olympism.