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Recording History with Earl Basden
Earl Basden is the mastermind behind Bermuda’s number one sports information website for photographs, videos, interviews, records and stats, Island Stats.
In some cases, he has more information about local clubs than the clubs have about themselves. Bermuda Sports Journal sat down with him to talk about his trip to the 2021 Olympics in Japan and how it was a historic moment for him.
In 2014, Earl had a chance conversation with the President of the Bermuda Olympic Association, Mrs. Judy Simons about the fact that Bermuda has always depended on international media/ photographers to provide us with coverage of our athletes. Mrs. Simons took that conversation, had a meeting with her committee and offered Earl the opportunity to be Bermuda’s first media/press Attache` for international events.
For the first time, an official Bermudian photographer would experience what it is like to feel the atmosphere, emotions and the agony or triumphs of our athletes in an international event while still doing their job of capturing all of it. With 300 yards to go from the finish line, Earl emotions started to run down his cheeks, like many of us watching the event on TV, we cried with the realization that Flora has done it, Bermuda’s second Olympic medal and first Gold.
After the win, Flora was fulfilling her duties with the international media and Earl’s press credential did not allow him access. Flora stopped the questioning briefly and walked over to Earl stating, “I need to talk to the Bermudian media” and the press followed her over. It is a moment in his life that he said he will never forget, it is a level of respect that he had never felt before. It was an opportunity that was afforded to him by the Bermuda Olympic Association that he will forever be thankful.
When Flora crossed the finish line in first place for the Olympic Women’s Triathlon Gold Medal, Earl was right there for the greatest moment in Bermuda’s sports history.
From 2014, Earl has also covered all of Bermuda’s international events through his relationship with the Bermuda Olympic Association. We have not only broken new ground at the highest level in sports achievements, but we have also opened the door for Bermudians to capture their own glory.
