For the past several days, Bermuda’s collective heart has ached over the condition of one of its most beloved sports legends — Clarence Hill, the island’s first Olympic medalist.
Videos and reports have circulated showing the 71-year-old former heavyweight boxer appearing disoriented and without shelter, sparking outrage and deep concern across the island. Hill, who earned Bermuda its first Olympic medal — a bronze at the 1976 Montreal Games — made the country the smallest in the world at that time to ever stand on the Olympic podium.
Now, his son is speaking out.
“Yes, I am Jahmaka Kamal Clarence Hill’s son,” he confirmed in an exclusive conversation this week. “I was in Bermuda a few weeks ago and visited my father in the hospital. He’s been suffering from serious heart issues and what appears to be early onset dementia. He doesn’t remember things he just said minutes ago. I could tell he’s struggling mentally.”
According to Hill’s son, his father left the hospital shortly after that visit, telling him he was returning to his residence near Prospect. However, that plan unraveled.
“I got calls from people saying my father was seen at the bus terminal, homeless. One friend said he picked him up and took him to the youth center because he had nowhere to stay. Then my daughter sent me a video — my father at the bus stop, with no shirt or shoes, all his bags beside him. That broke me. This is Bermuda’s first Olympic medalist, and he should not be treated like that.”
The younger Hill says his father’s belongings — including important personal items — were removed from his senior housing unit in Prospect Devonshire and placed in government storage.
“I don’t even know where they put his things,” he said. “Housing Corporation took his stuff and said it’s in storage somewhere. But where? That’s all his life in there — his documents, his clothes, possibly even his passport.”
He believes Clarence still has his passport and wants to relocate him to the UK, where he lives, to ensure his father gets the care and dignity he deserves.
“I’m trying to raise money to get him here,” he explained. “Once he’s in the UK, I can help him get government assistance, his National Insurance number, and some stability. But first, I just need to get him out of Bermuda.”
The gofundme page link is posted below ⬇️ https://www.gofundme.com/f/bermudas-olympic-hero-clarence-hill-needs-our-help/cl/o?lang=en_GB
The story has reignited public discussion about how Bermuda honors its sports icons — particularly those who paved the way with little recognition or sustained support.
Hill’s son says the government once promised to establish a boxing gym in Clarence Hill’s name — a commitment made publicly and covered in the local media — but that promise never materialized.
“First, they said it would be at an empty house. Then they said it would be in St. George’s. Nothing ever came of it,” he said. “That gym was supposed to be part of his legacy — something for the youth, for the country that he fought for. But now, it’s just silence. And I’m not staying silent anymore.”
In addition to seeking help for his father’s relocation, Hill’s son has also written a forthcoming biography titled My Father: Bermuda’s First Olympic Medalist, set for release this Christmas.
“The book tells his full story — from his humble beginnings, to the Olympics, to how his journey shaped my life and our family. I want to make sure his legacy is preserved, even if the government doesn’t.”
Jahmaka concluded with a plea for the Bermudian public to help me get the medical help my father needs support the gofundme page link please and thank you in advance.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.