Statement from PM Mottley on the passing of Richard Louis

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued the following statement on the passing of Olympian Richard Louis.

Louis passed away on Friday in Florida at 60 years old.

Below is the full statement from Mottley:

Today, we mourn the loss of a true Barbadian trailblazer, Olympian Richard Louis.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Richard’s life and legacy have been immortalized on history’s pages. For while he rose to prominence as a track and field star and a member of the famous 1984 Olympics 4×400 relay team, the truth is, Richard Louis was not just an athlete; he was a pioneer – one who inspired generations of Barbadians to reach beyond what seemed possible.

As a member of that historic 4x400m relay team, Richard joined Elvis Forde, Clyde Edwards and David Peltier in etching their names in history as part of the first team to ever represent Barbados in an Olympic final. They made our nation proud and secured a sixth-place finish with a time of 3:01.60—a national record that still stands to this day. This feat not only placed Barbados on the global map but demonstrated to us all the heights that hard work, dedication, and sacrifice can achieve. His return to the Olympic stage in Seoul in 1988 simply reaffirmed his commitment to excellence.

The signs of excellence were already clear prior to these feats. Coming from humble roots on the west coast of Barbados, Richard attended the St. James Secondary School, now the Frederick Smith Secondary School, where his great talents were quite apparent.

In the 1979 CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, he secured bronze in the Under-17 division. At the following CARIFTA Games in Bermuda, he would earn the Austin Sealy Trophy with incredible performances in the 200m, 400m and 100m, where he clinched two golds, and a silver respectively. At the 1981 CARIFTA Games he won gold in the 400 m and at the 1982 CAC Junior Championships here in Barbados, he captured silver in the 400m and bronze in the 4x400m relay, giving testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.

Beyond the track, Richard was a versatile athlete and academic, excelling as a First Division football player and representing the USA in cricket as well as graduating from Howard University. Indeed, his talent knew no bounds, and his legacy will forever inspire us to aim higher and dream bigger.

Yes, Richard’s story is truly a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge from any corner of Barbados when coupled with opportunity and resilience. He embodied what it means to be a global athlete with Barbadian roots and his accomplishments paved the way for generations of Barbadian athletes, setting a standard of excellence and inspiring countless others to chase their dreams.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his children, his sister Beverley Louis-Gibbons and his brothers Kealster, Monroe and Robert Louis. I equally extend my condolences to the track and field fraternity, his former schoolmates, and all who cherished his contributions, we share in your loss and your pride.

Rest in peace, Richard. Your race is complete, but your legacy lives on in every Barbadian who dares to make history.