Clarence Hill sometimes feels like Bermudian sport’s “dirty little secret” but has no intention of conceding defeat in his fight to have a boxing gym opened in St George’s.

It has been 16 months since it was announced that a gym would be named in Hill’s honour, as Bermuda’s first and only Olympic Games medal-winner, at “The Catterick Building” on Military Road.

Hill has grown increasingly frustrated by the Government’s inaction since Zane DeSilva, the former sports minister, revealed at a press conference in December 2017 that the facility would be open in early 2018.

DeSilva has since been replaced by Michael Weeks who, in turn, has been succeeded by Lovitta Foggo.

Despite the revolving door of sports ministers, Hill’s pleas for work to start on the derelict old building, so it is fit to train youngsters, continue to be met with the same response.

“I often wonder whether it’s worth carrying on or should I say, ‘To hell with it’,” said Hill, who won bronze as a heavyweight at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

“I was living in St George’s in a transitional house after I came out of the Nelson Bascome Centre; that’s where I got the idea for the gym. I’d come back from town and see young guys sitting off on the sidewalk doing nothing.

“That’s when I went to [Nandi Outerbridge], the OBA sports minister at the time, and she was all for it. Charlie Marshall, the director of the St George’s youth centre, was all for it. We then talked to Zane and he went public. Everyone since has just kept telling me to be patient.”

Considering the number of broken promises he has endured, Hill can be forgiven for thinking he is being punished for his chequered past as a drug addict.

What disappoints Hill the most, however, is not being able to share his knowledge with aspiring young boxers keen to learn the noble art.

“The gym would give me a purpose,” he said. “It would be gratifying for me to know there’s a gym for people to learn how to fight.

“I think [politicians] use my drug offences as an excuse not to help me. This island has to understand that when I represented Bermuda [at the Olympics] I wasn’t into drugs.

“Bermuda has stuck me in a corner and put a blanket over me. They don’t want people to see who’s there. I should be shining; after all, I did something special for my country.

“Instead, it feels like I’ve been put in hiding. I’ve had no help when I’m trying to do something positive.

“It’s a shame. I’m a PLP supporter, but they haven’t helped me. Everyone seems to find an excuse as to why they can’t help me.

“I represented my country and won an Olympic medal, still the only one. I’ve never really felt like this country has represented me.

“In other countries, they would have built me a house, named a street after me. That’s what they did for Clyde Best.”

The former professional’s life might have not turned out like he had once hoped, but he is still determined give back and make a positive impact. I really didn’t have a good education,” added Hill, who said he has been clean for four years.

“Life after boxing should have been so plentiful and yet it’s been a hard road. I’m still surviving but things could be better.

“It’s harder because of politics, prejudices and me not having a better education.

“It is what it is, but I didn’t get the proper guidance. I hoped to leave boxing financially secure and be living comfortably.

“My hopes are still to live comfortably, help the youth and get the gym open.

“I still love boxing. I just want to be the person God created me to be.

“I was addicted to drugs, but that’s in the past. I’m still paying for it; people seem to want to use that against me.”