The story of Clarence Hill is one of triumph and heartbreak — a journey that has swung between Olympic glory and life’s hardest blows. Once a national hero, Hill now faces a very different kind of fight. At 74, the Olympic boxer lost his government-provided home after being discharged from the hospital following a heart condition and dementia diagnosis. But after months of uncertainty, life is finally starting to take a turn for the better.

Not long ago, a viral video showed the 1976 Montreal Games bronze medalist — Bermuda’s first Olympic medalist — walking shirtless through the streets of Hamilton. The Ministry of Housing claimed that Hill had voluntarily forfeited his tenancy before his hospital stay, a claim that quickly sparked outrage online. For many Bermudians, seeing their only Olympic medalist living on the streets was unthinkable. Until 2021, when Dame Flora Duffy won gold in the triathlon at the Tokyo Olympics, Hill had been the island’s lone Olympic champion. Now, after public outcry, Bermuda’s beloved hero once again has a place to call home.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette, Hill shared a moment of relief: “It feels good to have somewhere to sleep, to shower and just rest. I really appreciate that and am glad that it came to fruition to have somewhere to go, so I don’t have to be out in the street, which is a good thing.”

Following his dementia diagnosis, the 74-year-old was admitted to a care facility where he now resides safely.

Meanwhile, Hill’s son, Jamaka Kamal, has stepped up to support his father’s next chapter. Through a GoFundMe campaign, Kamal is raising funds to help relocate Hill to Britain, where he hopes his father can access stable care and government assistance. “To me, there’s no reason why he should be homeless. Not Clarence Hill. That shouldn’t be,” Kamal told The Royal Gazette. So far, the fundraiser has collected more than £4,500 as the family works to get Hill registered, insured, and settled overseas.

The Bermuda Housing Corporation also acknowledged its role in helping Hill’s transition. A spokesperson shared that BHC staff and social workers assisted in retrieving his belongings and moving him to his new facility. “The ministry and the Bermuda Housing Corporation remain committed to working collaboratively with the relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate support is in place for Mr. Hill’s well-being,” the statement read.

But what was life really like for Clarence Hill during his days on the streets? The former heavyweight shared his story in his own words.

Clarence Hill reflects on his days as a homeless man 

In his conversation with The Royal Gazette, Hill recalled the moment he realized he had nowhere to go. After being discharged from the hospital, doctors declared him fit to leave — but when he returned home, he discovered that his apartment had already been reassigned. “I was sleeping in City Hall on the concrete. Anywhere night caught me, I was sleeping,” he said.

Despite his struggles, Hill remained resourceful. “People knew me, and I had a couple of dollars in my pocket. I had money in the bank so I would go to the bank with my bank book and draw out some money to get something to eat. I had nowhere else to go, so I came back to the hospital where I was from the beginning.”

He added that hospital staff were kind enough to offer him a bed and meals during that time. “Otherwise,” he said quietly, “I had to beg, steal, or borrow if I was on the streets.”

Reflecting on his health, Hill admitted, “I don’t feel good and it’s my heart, so I am just trying to be cautious.” He also spoke candidly about overcoming addiction — a chapter of his past he no longer allows to define him. Today, the former Olympian continues to fight, not in the ring, but for dignity, stability, and peace.

And with his son by his side, that fight is far from over — but this time, Clarence Hill is not standing alone.