Controversy has erupted over Government’s intention to erect a bronze statue of Bermuda’s only Olympic medal winner Clarence Hill.The plan was revealed in Friday’s Throne Speech, Government proclaiming it was “simply the right thing to do.”However, it has been met with a shower of criticism because of Hill’s criminal record.The heavyweight boxer was awarded the bronze at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 when he won two fights and lost one in a Games diluted by an African nation boycott.However, after that performance Hill’s life spiralled downwards as he was convicted of a number of offences and spent time jail.Many those who commented on The Royal Gazette’s website over the weekend said because of those convictions he should not be honoured, with other sportsmen more deserving.Others, however, rushed to his defence, noting he remains the only Bermudian ever to medalled in Bermuda’s long Olympic history.Government have yet to decide where the statue will be located.“This has got to be a joke. Are we really so lacking in heroes?”; “Maybe erect the statue in front of Westgate?”; “Give me a break! Somebody has had too many blows to the head” were some of the comments posted by members of the public who didn’t reveal their names.But there were other commentators who believed the honour was warranted.“Clarence Hill was a criminal but he was also a very talented boxer. I know the man and never had a problem with him. There’s always two sides to the story . . . Bermudians are notorious for focusing on the negative and wrongfully judging a person they don’t even know.”“Like it or not he is the only Bermudian that’s ever received any kind of medal from the Olympics. Unfortunately a large number of Bermudians would rather remember his past criminal life than anything else he has done so many perfect people in Bermuda,” said another.Jahma Gibbons who revealed he was the son of Hill said: Bermudians are always so negative. Clarence Hill is my father. He was never a father to me but that doesn’t take away from what he accomplished in sports. He made Bermuda the smallest country in the world to ever win anything in the Olympics. He got Bermuda noticed by the world. He should be recognised for that. Yes he fell into crime but that was pretty much after he won the bronze medal. Most country’s take great care of there Olympic medallists but Bermuda didn’t. Go check how many Hall of Famers who have had run-in with the law. I can name a lot.”More than 50 readers posted their comments on the website.Hill was initially ignored as a Hall of Fame nominee but was finally inducted at the last awards ceremony.