SAMUEL WALTON’s love and admiration for one of TnT’s foremost Olympic medallists turned to pure hate following his (Walton’s) first time face to face encounter with the former world class athlete he has always considered a national hero!

According to the 53-year-old security guard who works at Value Supermarket, Palo Seco, the athlete, Hasely Crawford, who had entered the store to purchase a juice, allegedly snubbed and even cussed him (Walton) when he tried to say hello to him and to alert customers shopping at the time that there was “royalty” in their midst.

“As it is now, I don’t even want my eight-year-old son, who is a runner to shake his hand,” fumed the former amateur sportsman.

HASLEY CRAWFORD

“I’m very emotional about what happened, that is to tell you how bad it has affected me.

“Crawford’s attitude was repugnant and I’m totally disappointed since that is no way to respond to people who love you.

“God help if my son has to mount a rostrum and Crawford is the one handing out medals.

“I will not allow him to accept it from that man.

“He’s nobody’s hero.”

Walton, who was on duty at the time, explained that it was around 10.30 a.m. last Wednesday when he became thrilled to see, of all persons, one of the country’s sporting heroes walk into the supermarket.

“Palo Seco is country area, so to have one of these guys come into the store to make a purchase, is more than something to shout about.”

Walton said upon recognising the sporting personality, he called him as he passed but received no response.

He told TnT Mirror: “Crawford didn’t answer me but I didn’t take it on as I felt he didn’t hear me call out to him.”

Obviously excited by the presence of a celebrity in their midst, Walton said he hastened into the supermarket and publicly made an announcement.

“As he went about his business, I told the customers that we were blessed with the presence of a national hero.”

Somehow Walton never expected the response he got.

“Crawford became annoyed and in threatening tones told me he didn’t come here for that and he didn’t want the ‘so and so’ publicity thing,” Walton further revealed.

“I was shocked, I couldn’t believe my ears.

“I didn’t think that would have been his abusive reaction to some humble village folks who loved him and for the first time saw him in the flesh.”

Walton said he immediately backed off when he realised that the athlete was in no mood for his fans.

“I was embarrassed.

“I felt ashamed. I never thought that was the way he was.

“Even if he wasn’t in a good mood,” he argued, “he could have faked a smile and just be nice for that one moment to us.”

Walton said he had lived for many years in the US and stars respected their fans.

He recalled how he lined up for seven hours in the winter waiting to see former NBA star Patrick Ewing, who was at the time visiting a New York sporting goods store.

“And that man was so pleasant although hundreds were there to see him,” he went on.

“I don’t think our national heroes are ready for us.

“They are not ready for the adulation.

“They want it from a distance, they don’t want you to get close to them.”

Walton has the colour and registration number of the vehicle the man who once put TnT on the world map was driving when he stopped off at the supermarket to make his small purchase.