Team TTO | Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee | teamtto.org

Mikel Thomas is one of two national sprint hurdles to qualify to represent T&T at the London Olympics. The 24-year-old qualified for his second straight Olympic after his 13.48 personal best run at the Texas Relays in Austin Texas, USA on 31 March, missing the then national record of 13.43 by Steve Brown. He then sealed his Olympic spot with a 13.51 run at the Star Athletics Invite in Florida last month getting under the 13.52 Olympic A standard for the second time. The University of Kentucky graduate was named in the 31-member squad announced by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) on Friday. The Kansas based athlete joins Wayne Davis as the other 110m competitor following Davis’ national record run of 13.37 at the Big 12 Championships in May. Thomas was a quarterfinalist in at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he was sixth in a then personal best of 13.62 but he says his goal in London is to make it into the medal round.

“My goal is to make the finals especially as this is my second Olympics having made it to the quarterfinals four years ago. I will then give it all that I have,” he said. As part of his preparations the Maloney-born hurdler moved to Kansas where he said he was able to learn more on his event. Thomas said: “I am from New York but I am based in Kansas where I also coach and because I coach I have become more a student of the sport and that is probably one of the main reasons for the big improvement his year.”
He describes his decision as a risk as he was now on his own. “New York is nice but it is distracting,” he said. “I’d rather be in Kansas where I can focus on what I need to do. Unfortunately I am by myself but I have taken the time to become more educated in my event.  It is a technical event and because I am by myself I had to make sure I do everything to the best of my ability.” The Exercise Science graduate was third in the national championships clocking in 13.99 behind Davis (13.61) and Durrell Busby (13.81). The heats of the 100m hurdles are set for August 7 with the semifinals and finals carded for August 8. Thomas won the 2008 National and the 2010 Penn Relays Olympic Development 110m hurdles titles and has personal best in the 400m hurdles and the indoor 60m hurdles of 51.40 and 7.73 respectively. He is the son of Hayden Thomas and Gail Barton.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Reigning Olympic 100 metres silver medallist Richard Thompson finished third in the men’s 100-metre event at the Reims International Meeting in Reims, France yesterday. Thompson clocked 10.26 seconds to finish behind American Michael Rodgers 10.18 seconds, former World Champion Kim Collins (St Kitts) 10.22. The 27-year-old ran in his first race since losing his national crown to Keston Bledman (9.85 to 9.96). The 2008 NCAA 60/100 champion will next run at the Aviva Diamond League Meeting in Paris later today. He will face former world champions Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin, both of the USA and European champion Christophe Lemaitre (France). Jehue Gordon will hope to be among the starters in the men’s 400m hurdles. The 2010 World Junior champion missed the National Championships due to a thigh injury.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

A total of 68 schools have entered the island-wide Primary Schools Draughts Competition which comes off at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, tomorrow starting at 9.30 am. The contest takes the form of a seven round Swiss and is organised by the T&T Draughts and Checkers Association headed by retired army officer Rufus Foster. According to Foster, cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $500 will be awarded to the winners together with trophies for the top schools. Two champions will be defending their titles; Renaldo Mapp of Egypt Government, Pt Fortin (Boys) and Treasure Hayness of D’Abadie Government. Foster said his Association would like to take the game of draughts into all the primary schools in the country, but they are limited by insufficient funds and not enough coaches.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Olympic selectees Jamol James and Sparkle McKnight will lead T&T’s 12-member contingent to the 2012 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Championships set to get underway in Irapuato, Mexico later today. James will contest the men’s 100m event along with Shermund Allsop. The Memphis/University of Tennessee sprinter was sixth at last month’s Sagicor/NGC National Championships on in the men’s 100m in a personal best of 10.17 seconds while Allsop (Concorde/LSU) won the B finals in 10.29. James and McKnight (Neon Trackers) will line up in the women’s 400m. The University of Arkansas-bound athlete took the national one-lap title with a personal best of 52.44 and will be aiming at the Olympic A standard of 52.35.

She will be joined by Shawna Fermin (Memphis/Washington State University) in the events. The meet ends on Sunday. The first athlete to be in action will be Hilenn James (GC Striders/Georgia University) who will do battle in the women’s shot put set for later this afternoon. The men’s 100m (semifinals and finals), men’s discus, women’s 400m (semifinals).  At the 2010 edition of the meet in Florida, USA, T&T won three bronze medals, courtesy Garvyn Nero (men’s 800m), Caleigh Bacchus (women’s high jump) and the men’s 4X400m team).

NACAC under-23 contingent
Men
Jamol James (Memphis)-100m, 4X100, Shermund Allsop (Concorde)-100m, 4X100m, Moriba  (Simplex)-200/4X100, Kevin Haynes (TTDF)-200m, 4X100m, Quincy Wilson (Rebirth)-Discus, Joel Dillon (Simplex)-4X100m.

Women
Sparkle McKnight (Neon Trackers)-400m, 4X400m, Shawna Fermin (Memphis)-400m,4x400m, Ashlee Smith (D’Abadie Progressive)-discus, Hilenn James (G.C. Striders)-Shot put, discus, Aleena Brooks (Memphis)-4X400m, Jessica James (Neon Trackers)-4X400m.


Officials
Durly Lucas (Manager), Ken Barton (coach), Wade Franklyn (coach), Althea Busby (coach) and Brent Elder (medical).

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

George Bovell will be on show on the weekend in his last warm-up meet ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. The Trinidad and Tobago swimmer will compete in four events at the Quebec Cup, in Montreal, Canada.

"I intend to race the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the 50 and 100 backstroke events because they really complement the freestyle training.

"I am now just starting to back off my workload this week," Bovell continued, "as we glide down to the Olympics, exactly a month away. With the rest, I expect to gain easy speed. At this point it would be great to be fast, but the times are unimportant. The emphasis is on executing the many details that the different events consist of correctly."

At the 2004 Games, in Athens, Greece, Bovell became the first T&T swimmer to climb an Olympic podium. He bagged bronze in the men's 200 metres individual medley in one minute, 58.80 seconds, finishing behind Americans Michael Phelps, the gold medallist in 1:57.14, and Ryan Lochte (1:58.78).

"I have been watching the USA Olympic swimming trials," said Bovell. "Phelps and Lochte look like they will be very strong next month.

"I paid special attention to the form of my American rivals in the sprint events. Nathan Adrian looked very strong in the 100. I expected him to surely be on the team in the 50 as well, but was surprised when he was beaten by Anthony Ervin and Cullen Jones. The interesting thing here is that I have beaten Jones and Ervin, who I will face in London, all year, but haven't managed to beat Nathan in ages. The question here is: Can they repeat this peaked form in just one month?

"It is important to note," Bovell continued, "that Ervin and Jones, who are the two fastest Americans in the water, both have African American heritage. I hope this serves to further discredit the ignorant stereotype that African people are not good swimmers, and will serve to inspire more young people of African heritage to follow in their footsteps."

Cesar Cielo is among the favourites for Olympic gold in the 50 free. The Brazilian swimmer is the defending champion.

"In terms of Cesar and my other rivals, they will be fast. I believe they have shown their cards when they peaked earlier this season for their Olympic trials. We know what they are capable of, whereas I have not peaked yet since last summer. The way I see it, focusing on them is useless. I do what I can when I can to prepare, and when the time comes I will simply swim my own race."

In London, Bovell will compete in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 back.

"The 100 metres free and 100 metres back," Bovell told the Express, "are swims to break the ice, so to speak. It is quite possible that I make the semi-finals, but I don't expect to be in the running for medals in those. In the 50 metres free, however, as a finalist at last summer's World Championships, I definitely expect to be competing for a medal once again."

-Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

T&T’s men’s 4x100m, 4x400m and women’s 4x100m relay teams have qualified for the London Olympic Games set for July 27 to August 12. The teams were selected based on their top 16 rankings on the IAAF best relay performances listings by the July 2 deadline. The men’s sprint team is fifth with an average time of 38.40 seconds following its 37.91 clocking in the heats of last year’s World Championships in Daegu, South Korea and 38.89 at the 2011 CAC Senior Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Reigning Olympic gold medalists Jamaica are at number one ahead of arch-rival USA, France and Great Britain.
The T&T squad will include members of the national team which won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They are reigning Olympic 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson, recently crown national champion Keston Bledman, veteran Marc Burns and Emmanuel Callender. World Championships 200m finalist Rondel Sorillo and 20-year-old Jamol James have also been named.

St Kitts/Nevis is the third Caribbean team to have qualified in the event for London, and is at ninth in the standings.  
The national men’s 4x400m outfit is 10th in the mile relay listings. The team has an average time of 3:01.05 following its national record run of 3:00:45 at the Sagicor/NGC Open Championships on June 24 and its 2011 CAC Championships silver medal performance of 3:01.65. The 4X400m squad includes the national record setting quartet of Renny Quow, Lalonde Gordon, Deon Lendore and Jarrin Solomon. Teenager Machel Cedenio and Ade Alleyne-Forte are the reserves on the team. USA, South Africa and Jamaica are the top three teams. Bahamas is the other Caribbean team to qualify. The women’s sprint team is at 11th with an average time of 43.28. The foursome sped to a national mark of 43.21 in the Bahamas on June 16 after clocking 43.35 earlier in the day. Semoy Hackett, Kai Selvon and Michelle-Lee Ahye were the other members of the team and have been named on the London contingent along with Reyare Thomas and Sparkle McKnight.

Relay teams qualified for London 2012
Men’s 4x100m
Jamaica, US, France, Great Britain, T&T, Brazil, Germany, Poland, St Kitts/Nevis, Hong Kong, Canada, Italy, Japan, China, Australia and Netherland

Men’s 4x400m
US, South Africa, Jamaica, Cuba, Russia, Belgium, Great Britain, Bahamas, Germany, T&T, Kenya, Venezuela, Australia, Dominican Republic, Japan and Poland

Women’s 4x100m
US, Jamaica, Ukraine, France, Germany, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Brazil, Poland, T&T, Colombia, Japan, Switzerland, Bahamas and Belarus

Women’s 4x400m
US, Russia, Jamaica, Great Britain, Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic, France, Nigeria, Cuba, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Brazil, Poland and Turkey

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Shaquille Roberts from Toco in Trinidad & Tobago last week fulfilled the opportunity of a lifetime to run with the Olympic Torch as a result of his involvement in London 2012’s international sports legacy programme, International Inspiration.

Shaquille was amongst a group of 20 young people involved in International Inspiration who took part in the Olympic Torch Relay through Nottinghamshire in the UK on 28 June.

One Torchbearer was selected from each of the 20 countries which are part of International Inspiration, from Azerbaijan to Zambia, to take part in the Relay. Each International Inspiration Torchbearer was nominated and selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspiring children and young people in their communities through the power of sport or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives.   

Shaquille was nominated by his PE and International Inspiration Tutor Avianne Tobias because of his growth on the programme. He has demonstrated courage, determination to excel and willingly helps others within his school and community through International Inspiration despite his personal challenge. An avid sportsman, Avianne felt this experience could only propel Shaquille further cementing his never give up attitude as he works toward achieving his goal of representing Trinidad & Tobago at the 2016 Olympics as a distance runner.

International Inspiration is bringing to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team where they pledged to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport. The programme is delivered around the world by a unique partnership of organisations including the British Council, UNICEF UK and UK Sport.

International Inspiration is enriching the lives of more than 12 million children in 20 countries around the world through high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play. The programme is currently helping change the lives of over 12 million young people.

Shaquille said of his experience: “I still can’t believe I held the Olympic Torch in London! Running with the Torch for those few minutes - I was feeling like I was running the 1500 at the Olympics in Brazil 2016 heading for the finish line first and thinking it would be even better than this!!”

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: “I’m thrilled that Shaquille Roberts from our International Inspiration programme in Trinidad & Tobago has had the opportunity to run with the Olympic Flame. Shaquille has been a real inspiration in his community and truly demonstrates how sport can change someone’s life. Shaquille’s story is truly inspirational.”

About International Inspiration
The International Inspiration programme is governed by an independent charitable foundation. International Inspiration is supported and funded by a mixture of organisations and Foundations, including Department for International  Development (DFID), the British Council, the Premier League, UNICEF, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Comic Relief, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the GE Foundation and individual donors. The programme is also supported by the Youth Sport Trust, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association and individual donors.

To enable longer-term impact, the programme is developed jointly with the governments, National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees, where appropriate, of participating countries. The programme is supported and welcomed by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

The vision of International Inspiration is to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities in schools and communities across the world, particularly developing countries, by offering them the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality and inclusive sport, physical education and play. The programme is already changing the lives of young people in twenty countries - Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia - and has already enriched the lives of over 12 million children and young people.

International Inspiration was developed as a result of the commitment made by the London Bid team in Singapore in 2005 to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport’.

The school partnerships are managed by the British Council, which has long experience of linking schools internationally, working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which utilises its expertise in developing teachers and young leaders through sport.

Jimmone Roberts, Kasim Charles-Walcott and Ramone Belmontes were among the category winners when the time trial events at the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation's National Road Championships time trials were contested on the weekend in Wallerfield.

Roberts, of the Parkside club, won the Juniors two-lap event with a clocking of 40 minutes, 18.01 seconds. Barrington Perreira of Arima Wheelers was next best in 40:32:59.

Charles-Walcott of Degree Madonna bagged gold among the juveniles in their one-lap event in 18:12.24 and the time qualified him for next month's Caribbean Road Championships in Dominican Republic. He was comfortably faster than Bikesmith's Zachary David Orr (19:48:62) and Emmanuel Watson of Madonna (19:05:37).

Belmontes emerged as the top Juvenile in 20:27:88.

The Championships for the junior, juvenile and tinymite male and female riders continues this weekend with the road race in South Trinidad.

The senior riders will begin their quest for honours with a criterium on July 15, with their time trial on August 1 and road race on September 15.

Following are the

time trial results:

JUNIORS - 2 LAPS

1. Jimmone Roberts (Parkside)       40:18:01       

2. Barrington Perreira (Arima Wheelers)  40:32:59       

3. Samuel Alleyne (Rigtech Sonics)  40:59:31       

4. Akieel Glasgow Rigtech Sonics  42:04:01      

JUVENILES - 1 LAP

1. Kazim Charles-Walcott (Degree Madonna) 18:12:24       

2. Zachary David Orr (Bikesmith)       18:48:62       

3. Emmanuel Watson (Degree Madonna)  19:05:37       

4. Justin Mitchell (Degree Madonna)  19:59:13      

5. Sei Daniel (Arima Wheelers)  20:04:56    

6. Aaden Redhead (Degree Madonna)  20:10:54   

7. Jerron Loubon (Southclaine)     20:13:93      

8. Nicholas Wharton    (Southampton) 20:27:43       

9. Akil Campbell (Rigtech Sonics)  20:44:52    

10. Krisstoff Frontin Rigtech Sonics  21:30:27     

LADIES TINYMITES - 1 LAP

Dominique Lovell (Arima Wheelers) 25:03:36       

LADIES JUVENILES - 1 LAP

1. Kianna Lester (Bikesmith)   20:03:88   

2. Joy Abigail John   (Arima Wheelers)  21:37:18


LADIES SNR - 1 LAP

Cheyenne Awai Arima Wheelers  22:36:38   

TINYMITES - 1 LAP

1. Ramon Belmontes (Petrotrin)   20:27:88      

2. Akeem Lopez (Degree Madonna)  22:35:09      

3. Tyler Cole (Rigtech Sonics)  22:55:49       

4. Lorenzo Orosco (Hummingbird)  23:15:41      

5. Adam Francis (Team Trek)   23:45:57       

6. Justice Philemon (Rigtech Sonics)  24:32:59    

7. Chaquille Henry (Arima Wheelers)  24:37:19    

8. Sadiki Daniel (Arima Wheelers)  25:36:05

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

...retains CAC Junior title with monster throw

Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott continued his superb run of form this season with a huge throw at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Track and Field Championships, in San Salvador, El Salvador, late on Sunday.

Walcott hurled the spear 82.83 metres to retain his boys' under-20 javelin title, enjoying a huge cushion on silver medallist Alexander Pascal (68.84m), of the Cayman Islands. Barbadian Nicolai Bovelle (68.20m) claimed bronze.

Walcott's monster throw is a new CAC Junior Championship record. The 19-year-old Toco thrower also reset his national open, Pan American junior, NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean) junior, CAC junior and national junior records, and extended his lead at the top of the 2012 world junior list.

The 82.83m effort earned Walcott a ten-place jump on the all-time world junior list, from 15th to fifth. He is also 23rd on the 2012 men's list.

A big favourite for gold in El Salvador, Walcott ended the event as a contest in the very first round, landing the javelin 72.56m. In the second round, the four-time Carifta Games champion produced his huge 82.83m effort, improving on the 80.11m personal best he had established in Cuba five weeks ago and beating the 82.00m Olympic "A" standard.

Walcott is the favourite for gold at the July 10-15 World Junior Championships, in Barcelona, Spain.

T&T finished third on the medal table at the CAC Junior Championships, earning eight gold medals, six silver and nine bronze. Jamaica topped the table with 20 gold medals, 15 silver and nine bronze, while second spot went to Mexico (11 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze).

There were five gold medal performances from Team T&T on Sunday, the third and final day of the Championships--Walcott, Machel Cedenio (boys' under-18 400m), Reubin Walters (boys' under-18 110m hurdles), Kevin Roberts (boys' under-18 octathlon) and the boys' under-18 4x400m team.

Cedenio was dominant in the boys' under-18 one-lap final, grabbing gold in 47.36 seconds. T&T also earned silver in the event, Theon Lewis getting home in 48.11 to force Mexico's Ricardo Jimenez (48.21) to settle for bronze.

Walters captured the boys' under-18 sprint hurdles title with a 13.49 seconds run--a new national youth record. Jamaicans Tyler Mason (13.50) and Michael O'Hara (13.65) picked up the minor medals.

Roberts accumulated 5,192 points over two days of competition to lead a one-two T&T finish in the boys' under-18 octathlon. Victor Isaac claimed silver with 5,000 points in the eight-discipline event. Costa Rica's Andres Acosta (4,983) finished third.

Asa Guevara, Cedenio, Walters and Lewis combined for gold in the boys' under-20 mile relay, the T&T quartet clocking three minutes, 11.66 seconds, for a huge cushion on second-placed Barbados (3:14.31). Puerto Rico (3:14.78) bagged bronze.

Kernesha Spann added girls' under-20 400m bronze to the one-lap hurdles gold she had earned on Friday. The T&T athlete clocked 54.52 seconds to finish behind Jamaican Olivia James (53.89) and Cuba's Sahily Diago (54.20).

Steve Waithe secured bronze in the boys' under-20 triple jump with a 15.89m effort.

And in the girls' under-18 shot put, Chelsea James threw the iron ball 13.93m to capture bronze. Her T&T teammate, Portious Warren, finished fourth with a 13.63m throw.

Jeminise Parris was fourth in the girls' under-18 100m hurdles final in 14.10 seconds. In the boys' under-18 3,000m, Jevon Joseph was sixth in 9:26.24, while Nicholas Landeau did not finish. And Shaquille Waithe threw 56.99m for seventh spot in the boys' under-18 javelin.

2012 CAC Junior Championship final medal table

Gold Silver Bronze Total

1 Jamaica 20 15 9 44

2 Mexico 11 6 2 19

3 Trinidad & Tobago 8 6 9 23

4 Puerto Rico 7 10 7 24

5 Cuba 7 4 1 12

6 Barbados 6 6 6 18

7 Bahamas 5 10 13 28

8 Dominican Republic 5 2 4 11

9 Bermuda 2 1 2 5

10 El Salvador 1 3 7 11

11 Anguilla 1 3 0 4

12 Guatemala 1 2 7 10

13 St Lucia 1 2 0 3

14 St Kitts & Nevis 1 0 2 3

15 Grenada 1 0 1 2

16 Costa Rica 0 2 1 3

17 British Virgin Islands 0 2 0 2

18 Cayman Islands 0 1 2 3

19 Honduras 0 1 0 1

19 Turks & Caicos 0 1 0 1

19 Dominica 0 1 0 1

22 Antigua & Barbuda 0 0 2 2

23 Belize 0 0 1 1

-Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

When the 2012/2013 Digicel T&T Pro League season kicks off next month, four-time winner San Juan Jabloteh will not be among the teams hoping to dethrone W Connection. This was disclosed by the club’s chairman Jerry Hospedales after the board of directors of San Juan Jabloteh Sports Ltd, the franchise holder of the club took a decision on Saturday to suspend immediately all its operations relating to senior football after having closed earlier, its women’s football and youth clinic activities. The meeting was held at the club’s headquarters Akal Trace & Saddle Road, Upper Santa Cruz. By withdrawing from the Pro League, Jaloteh which had participated in all previous ten seasons now leaves W Connection, Defence Force, Caledonia AIA and St Ann’s Rangers as the clubs that were part of the first season, in 2002. In the three page press release signed by the club’s chairman Jerry Hospedales.

Hospedales noted while the club remains under acute financial stress, it will continue its youth football activities during a transitional period and in the context of its current financing arrangements. The club also decided to continue its netball programme as it has been doing under its own fund-raising initiatives. In explaining the tough decision to ends its senior football team programme Hospedales said the club has arrived at this critical juncture in its 38-year history in light of the increasing volatility of the diminishing flow of resources from the public and private sectors. Since becoming a professional entity in 1995, the club has been discharging a mandate focused of providing avenues through which the young people in the high risk and under privileged communities of the east-west corridor, could earn incomes while utilising their natural talents. Reflecting on the club’s recent financial problems, Hospedales said, “Since the understandable decision of Clico to disengage from the sponsorship in 2009, efforts to put together a group of sponsors to identify with the objective of the club and to seek to find solutions to the grave problems facing these communities have not been entirely successful. “Moreover, the only stable source of finance, that from the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company of T&T, has turned out to be less than stable.

“Initially put at $17,000 per month in May 2010, that amount was suspended in January 2011, re-instituted in October 2011 with arrears only back-dated to May 2011, increased to $50,000 per month in October 2011 and was once again terminated in January 2012 and that without notice and rationale. “The club is convinced that this state-funding represents an important and stable source of financial flows to the community clubs participating in the T&T Pro League and allows them to discharge their social mandates.” Many of them augment the state resources through their own fund-raising efforts but the source of difficulty for San Juan Jabloteh is that not only has the club received over a long period, a different and lesser level of funding from that of the other clubs but since January 2012 it is the only community club which is not accessing state funding, despite exceptional efforts undertaken by the club to restore that funding. In making a plea for financial support Hospedales said the club would appreciate that corporate T&T should now review their social corporate responsibility with a view to addressing and finding solutions to the grave problems facing our society and they should do so by establishing sustained engagements with community organisations which are central to nation-building and community enhancement, but the role of Government cannot be overemphasised as a source of stable finance and catalyst for empowering social organisations in high-risk communities. On behalf of the club, Hospedales commended Clico for its stable financial support over 15 years of sponsorship while also saluting First Citizens Bank, IBWILL Insurance Brokers, Express Drugs and more recently Adams Project Management and Construction Ltd for its support over the years.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Twenty-year-old T&T sprinter Kai Selvon says she feels honoured to be representing this country at the 2012 Olympics being hosted in London. The La Seiva, St Joseph native lives in Auburn, Alabama, where she is studying Industrial Design at Auburn University. Selvon clocked the fifth fastest time in the US at the 2012 NCAA Indoor All American 60m/200m race in 23.15 seconds, and is now gearing up to represent T&T in relay action. She will be accompanied by Kelli-Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett and Michell Lee Ayhe on the track.

“It feels like a great accomplishment. The biggest goal you have as a runner is to make it to the Olympics so now that I’ve made it there I feel like I’ve accomplished it and I can show the younger ones coming up that they should believe that everything is possible with God.” She says her calling as a sprinter was manifest since she was a pre-schooler. “I won a race at a sports day in kindergarten and then when I went on to primary school, my teacher Mr Macoom introduced me to athletics.” As the years went by she explored and excelled at it.

Music and a good laugh
But while it may appear that way, Selvon doesn’t breathe, eat and sleep sprinting. She says she passes her time listening to music and spending time with family. And she enjoys a good laugh. “I’m jovial. People always see me with a serious face but really and truly I love to laugh. I like beating the drums as well,” she said. Now, with her sights set on gold, Selvon who credits her mother, Debbie and her three brothers for helping her literally stay on track even when she felt like giving up, is keeping her eyes on the prize. “I suffered two injuries prior to this so it was a little difficult,” she said. “I still have to keep that positive mindset that everything will work out and I have to trust in my coach.”

Culture shock
Selvon says when she first took up residence in the US, the transition was difficult. However, over the years she has accepted the fact that her life abroad allows for greater opportunities for both her and her family. “It was rough three years ago when I first went there. I had a real culture shock,” she said, noting that Auburn was quiet as compared to the excitement she had left behind in T&T. “Now I have mixed feelings about living abroad. I miss the liming and the fun and being with my family but I appreciate the fact that I can do so much more out there for my family and my life.”

-Aba A Luke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Keshorn Walcott retained his boys’ under-20 javelin title in emphatic fashion, with an Olympic “A” qualifying throw of 82.83 metres on the final day of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Track and Field Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Sunday. The Toco-born athlete entered the competition as the overwhelming favourite after his 80.11 Olympic “B” qualifying best in May. However, the Rebirth athlete went one better, getting the massive distance on his second attempt.
The lanky athlete opened with 72.56 to set a new championship record before unleashing his mammoth throw. He fouled his third effort and then relaxed on his remaining throws knowing that he already had the gold. The 19-year-old finished well ahead of Alexander Pascall (Cayman Islands) 68.84 and Nicolia Bovelle (Barbados) 68.20.

Walcott has now extended his world leading performance and also improved his Pan American, CAC Junior and National junior and senior records. He is now 23rd on the latest IAAF Men’s Open Javelin rankings. The Rebirth thrower’s victory was one of five by the national athletes on the final day of action as Machel Cedenio, Reubin Walters, Kevin Roberts and the boys’ under-18 4X400m team all struck gold. Cedenio raced to gold in the boys’ under-18 400m in 47.36 to finish ahead of compatriot, Theon Lewis (48.11), and Mexico’s Jose Perez (48.21). The Olympic-bound sprinter was the overwhelming favourite after his world leading youth (under-18) run of 46.02 at the Sagicor/NGC National Open Championships on June 23, after topping the heats in 48.08. Ruebin Walters (Memphis/Mucurapo East Sec) secured the boys’ under-18 110m hurdles crown, clocking a pb of 13.49.

Cedenio, Lewis and Walters then teamed up with Asa Guevara to clinch the boys’ under-18 4X400m gold in a new championship record of 3:11.66 seconds. Roberts (Pt Fortin New Jets) dominated the boys’ under-18 Octathlon and to lead a T&T one-two finish. Roberts amassed 5192 points in the eight-event discipline to beat team-mate, Victor Isaac (Toco TAFAC), who amassed 5000 points. Andres Campos (Costa Rica) was third (4983). T&T’s third entrant, Kashief King, could not finish after false starting in the first event- the 100m. Kernesha Spann, Chelsea James and Steve Waithe were in the top three in their events. Spann (Neon Trackers/St Francois Girls) was going for her second gold in the girls’ under-20 400m but, had to settle for third in 54.52. James (Tobago Falcons/Signal Hill Sec) was also third in the girls’ under-18 shot put with a distance of 13.93.

The Carifta girls’ under-17 champion finished just ahead of another T&T thrower Portious Warren (Toco TAFAC/St Augustine Sec) in fourth (13.63). Waithe picked up the boys’ under-20 triple jump with a world junior qualifying leap of 15.89. Jeminise Parris (Memphis/St Francois Girls) was fourth in the girls’ under-18 100m hurdles (14.02), while Jevon Joseph (Air Bon Sonics/Belmont Boys Sec) finished sixth in the boys’ under-18 3000m (9:26.24). Joseph’s club-mate Nicholas Landeau did not finish. Shaquille Waithe (Zenith) was seventh in the boys’ under-18 javelin (56.89). T&T finished third on the medal table with 23 medals (eight gold, six silver and nine bronze) behind Jamaica 44 (20, 15, nine) and Mexico 19 (11, six, two). In 2010 the national contingent was also third with 27 medals (12, six, nine). The 40 member team is due to return home today.Keshorn Walcott is now 23rd on the latest IAAF Men’s Open Javelin rankings.

Day 3-Afternoon results

Girls
U-18, 100m hurdles finals (Wind:+0.1m/s)
4 Jeminise Parris T&T 14.10
Shot put finals
3 Chelsea James T&T 13.93
4 Portious Warren T&T 13.63

U-20, 400m finals
3 Kernesha Spann T&T 54.52

Boys
U-18, 400m finals
1 Machel Cedenio T&T 47.36
2 Theon Lewis T&T 48.11
3000m finals
6 Jevon Joseph T&T 9:26.24
Dnf Nicholas Landeau  
110m Hurdles (0.91cm) finals
(Wind:-0.5m/s)
1 Reubin Walters T&T 13.49
Javelin finals
7 Shaquille Waithe T&T 56.89
Octathlon
1 Kevin Roberts T&T 5192
2 Victor Isaac T&T 5000
Dnf Kashief King T&T
4X400m finals
1 T&T (Asa Guevera, Machel Cedenio, Reubin Walters, Theon Lewis) 3:11.66

U-20
Triple Jump finals
3 Steve Waithe T&T 15.89(+0.4)
Javelin finals
1 Keshorn Walcott 82.83
(72.56, 82.83, f, p, p,p).

MEDAL STANDINGS

Rank Country Total Gold Silver Bronze
1 Jamaica 44 20 15 9
2 Mexico 19 11 6 2
3 T&T 23 8 6 9
4 Puerto Rico 24 7 10 7
5 Cuba 12 7 4 1
6 Barbados 18 6 6 6
7 Bahamas 28 5 10 13
8 Bermuda 5 2 1 2
11 Anguilla 4 1 3 0
13 St Lucia 3 1 2 0
14 St Kitts/Nevis 3 1 0 2
15 Grenada 2 1 0 1
17 B Virgin Islands 2 0 2 0
18 Cayman Islands 3 0 1 2
19 Turks and Caicos 1 0 1 0
19 Dominica 1 0 1 0
22 Antigua & Barbuda 2 0 0 2
23 Belize 1 0 0 1

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

The Olympics have always had a soundtrack. Music and culture cannot be separated from the Olympic Games nor can education. Dating back to its recorded inception way back in 776 BC the Olympic Games was always more than just a competition or sporting event. A quick peek at Olympic history will show that art, poetry, literature, music and singing have always had a place in the Olympic festival. Music has always featured at the Olympic Games. Admittedly in modern times the battle for the soul of the Games is fierce. On one side are those who see the games as nothing more than a battle for medal supremacy, then there are the idealist who fight hard to retain the holistic essence of the games. Then there are the hard nose pragmatists for whom the priority is the commercial side of the games. What is not in question is the scale and magnitude of the Olympic Games. It still remains for most, not all, but a large percentage of the world’s premier sportsmen and women, the pinnacle of their sporting career. To be crowned Olympic champion is still a cherished aim.

Last Friday, the T&T London 2012 Olympic team was officially announced. A week ago the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) hosted a breakfast which was attended by His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards, patron of the National Olympic Committee. Following the breakfast, the T&T Olympic hopefuls reached out to the public during a motorcade from the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), along Frederick Street to Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain. In keeping with the timeless tradition, Kes the band, released an inspirational song, “We Are Conquerors” for the athletes who will be going to London for the Olympics.  


Danielle Jones, manager, corporate communications at BpTT said the company wanted to do something locally and culturally relevant and were happy to partner with Kes the band for an anthem for the T&T Olympic team. In 1894, when Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin organised a meeting at the Sorbonne to revive the Olympics, Gabriel Faure’s “Hymn to Apollo” was performed. In recent years songs created for the Olympics such as “Reach Out” and “Hand in Hand” by Giorgio Moroder have had an inspirational impact. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote for the 1992 Barcelona Games, “Amigos Para Sempre” (Friends for Life). In 1996, we had “The Power of the Dream” by Celine Dion, and also “Reach” by Gloria Estefan. In Sydney, “Dare to Dream” by Olivia Newton John and John Farnham.  “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis is another Olympic song that won many friends. The words and music of one T&T’s London 2012 Olympic songs live up to the age old Olympic tradition of inspirational and motivational Olympic music.

We Are Conquerors!
Go for gold,
Go for glory,
It’s your time,
Tell your story,
It’s all that you dreamed of and more...
Put up a fight and don't give up,
You’ll find a way and reach the top,
Cause you know we believe,
You can make it,
It’s your chance,
Time to take it,
It’s all that you dreamed of...
It’s all that you dreamed of ... Yeah.

Passion and Energy
We want the whole world to see,
Show me determination,
You got it , you have it
You know this day would come,
Your journey’s just begun
We’ll live this moment
Yeah we believe that you...

Can show the world,
Show the world,
Let’s show the world
That We Are Conquerors!
Show the world,
Show the world,
Let’s show the world...

Join the Team,
Join this mission,
Twin island, One nation..
Courage, Inspiration
You can reach,
There’s no limitation..

-Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Yohan Blake earned his nickname for a brutal training regime – and his efforts are now paying off

As a youngster growing up in Bogue Hill, near Montego Bay, Yohan Blake used to skip school to bowl at a stick in the back yard. "Cricket is my first love," he admits. "As a boy I'd rather have played for the West Indies than go to the Olympics. That was my dream."

Instead of becoming the next Michael Holding, at the age of 22 the boy from Bogue Hill has become the man who has knocked Usain Bolt for six – not once, but twice – on the eve of the London Olympics. In the 100 metres final at the Jamaican trials at the weekend, Bolt got caught napping in his starting blocks and couldn't catch his training partner, Blake winning by 0.11sec in 9.75sec. In the 200m final in the early hours British time yesterday, Bolt was ahead going into the home straight but Blake (right) powered past him to win by 0.03sec in 19.80sec.

"It's back to the drawing board," Bolt said. "I feel a little bit weak but I have three weeks and hopefully it will be enough to get me into shape. I am the Olympic champion and I have to show the world that I am the best."

For the time being, Blake can claim to be the best sprinter not just in Jamaica but in the world. He has struck down the Lightning Bolt twice in 48 hours. He has shown that his victory in the World Championship 100m final in Daegu last year, when Bolt was disqualified for a false start, was far from hollow. He has demonstrated that his 19.26sec clocking for 200m in Brussels at the end of last summer was no fluke indication of his potential over the longer distance.

All of which sets the scene for a mouth-watering double head-to-head at the London Olympics. Think Ovett v Coe, but with a Jamaican high-speed twist.

Nobody is writing off Bolt, least of all Blake. "I know what Usain has to offer," he said yesterday. "I know he was not 100 per cent here." Glen Mills, the veteran sprint guru who coaches both men, warned: "Usain may be a little off at the moment but by the Olympics he'll be on top of his game."

Bolt was just about at the top of his game at the last Olympics, in Beijing four years ago, blitzing to gold in the 100m in 9.69sec and 200m in 19.30sec (world-record times he lowered to 9.58sec and 19.19sec at the World Championships in Berlin the following year). Late in 2008, he was asked on Television Jamaica's Morning Time show if there were "any athletes out there who he saw as a potential threat". Without hesitation, Bolt replied: "Watch out for Yohan Blake. He works like a beast. He's there with me step for step in training."

Blake was 18 at the time and did not even make the Jamaican team for Beijing. He had finished fourth in the 100m at the World Junior Championships in 2006, 0.05sec behind the winner, Harry Aikines- Aryeetey of Great Britain.

It was in the summer of 2008 that Blake moved to Kingston to join Bolt's sprint stable, the Racers Track Club. It was not long before his work ethic prompted the easy-going Bolt to call him "the Beast". The nickname has stuck.

"Why do they call me the Beast?" Blake says. "Because even when we have breaks I still train. On Christmas break, coach Mills has to call and say, 'You are on a break. You need to take some rest.'

"That is how I work. When you guys are sleeping at night, I am out there working. That's why they call me the Beast. I work twice as hard as everybody else."

The remarkable thing is that Blake and Bolt work together side by side every day on the track at the University of West Indies.

When Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe were at their peak as the British kings of middle-distance running, they would go to such lengths to avoid one another in races that one broadsheet national newspaper ran an editorial lamenting: "It is as if they are playing a game of postal chess."

Blake has overcome one blip in his career. In 2009, he was one of five Jamaican sprinters who tested positive for a stimulant contained in an energy drink. He served a three-month suspension.

A quietly spoken soul, Blake says that when he is not beasting away on the track and in the gym, he prefers to stay at home playing dominoes rather than going out partying like Bolt.

It might all have been different for him had his school principal at Bogue Hill not seen him bowling on the cricket field. O'Neil Ankle was astonished by the speed of Blake's run-up. He persuaded him to try sprinting instead.

Not that Blake has forsaken his first sporting love. During the track-and-field off season, the Beast can be found performing as a demon bowler on Sundays for Kingston Cricket Club. In one match earlier this year, he took four wickets for 10 runs. It is the sporting personal best in which he takes the greatest pride.

-Simon Turnbull

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Govt teams up with iconic US basketball star in crime fight …PM launches $1m first prize for 'Hoop of Life' competition

A $1 million prize for the best basketball team and towering former NBA player Dr Shaquille O'Neal were presented by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday as she unveiled a plan to tackle crime with sport among the nation's young people.

Persad-Bissessar launched "Hoop of Life—The Sweat 2012" at Beetham Gardens yesterday, with O'Neal as a surprise guest and the face of the competition.

Word spread quickly in the community, and before long, residents, many of them young men, had surged onto the basketball court on 23rd Street to catch a glimpse of the basketball legend.

Several of them brought along basketballs that they held up during the ceremony where O'Neal spoke briefly about his hope for communities like Hell Yard, Beetham, which the prime minister has unofficially renamed "Hope Yard".

He also referred to the prime minister as "a good woman".

"Hoop of Life", which was also launched in Marabella yesterday, will pit community basketball groups in a tackle to the finish for a first prize of $1 million.

The programme is a project of the Ministry of National Security, now presided over by Jack Warner and formerly headed by Brigadier John Sandy. Several other State agencies, including the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco), were also part of the planning.

Lamenting the consistent violence in areas like Beetham, Persad-Bissessar said:"The blood-letting must stop."

Adopting a term that became popular during the height of O'Neal's career on the court, Persad-Bissessar said the government was launching a "Shaq attack" on crime and juvenile delinquency.

The term "the sweat" came out of the local parlance for sport in the evening, Persad-Bissessar said, where people would often say they were "going for a sweat".

"I have two hoops in my yard at home, not one but two," Persad-Bissessar said, "It is a great way to keep fit."

Yesterday's ceremony was not without its moments, with one resident becoming emotional when the name "Hell Yard" was used and interrupted the proceedings to say so.

The female resident had to be restrained when she objected to the name during greetings by young resident Kareem Marcelle.

The woman said she did not see her community as being a "hellyard" but as being a "Heaven's Yard".

The interruption did not mar the event, with the MC apologising and saying the woman was very passionate in her love for her community.

But her words were not lost on O'Neal, who later said he liked the name "Heaven's yard".

O'Neal said his childhood neighbourhood was far worse than what he saw around him yesterday, calling the Beetham Gardens settlement "luxury", by comparison.

The former basketballer appealed to the young people of the community to be steadfast in their self-belief, the trait he said which led him to success.

"I was told I wasn't smart," said O'Neal, who graduated earlier this year from Barry University in the US with a PhD in organisational learning and leadership.

"I was told I can't play. But I believed in myself."

He also asked parents to go easy on their children when they are spending time playing sports. "Let them play," he said.

O'Neal said he had always wanted to visit Trinidad and Tobago and would return for Carnival.

The Hoop of Life competition, details for which will be announced by Sport Minister Anil Roberts at a later date, boasts a first prize of $1 million, a second prize of $500,000 and a third prize of $250,000.

-Kim Booderam

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Olympic qualifier Jehue Gordon was not among the starters in the men’s 400m hurdles at last weekend’s Sagicor/NGC National Open Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. The 20-year-old withdrew from the event on the advice of his doctor, after sustaining a slight tear to his quadriceps ahead of the meet. The Belmont Boys’ Secondary/QRC graduate said he was not happy with having to sit out of the race. “I was disappointed when I found out that I would not be entered to compete. I wanted to come out and show the fans the shape I am in and give a really good performance. However, my coach just wanted to ensure that all is well and everything happens at the right time as this year is an Olympic year and we did not want to take any risks.”

He added that his doctor (Dr Ian Hypolite) identified the injury early and within a week’s time he is expecting to be back on the track. The UWI Sports Management student is expected to compete in France on July 6. The Maraval resident said he is focused on London, “I don’t need additional pressure to deal with going into the Olympics. I don’t need anyone not registering me. I don’t need to worry about things that I should not be worrying about. Training is going extremely well and I need to keep my head clear so I could go out there and execute the race to the best of my ability.” The five-time Carifta champion said he is mindful of the expectation the country has placed on him going into London, “I am using the pressure positively knowing that the nation is behind me 100 per cent and it is not just me alone competing. It is really hard going out to a meet by yourself but I think about back home and realise that they want me to do well and be the best. It is just good to show the people that they can look up to someone and give them something they can be proud about.”

Gordon said his recent performances on the Diamond League circuit in Rome made him more confident as he prepared for his Olympic debut. “In my last four races I placed second in three of them and that has boosted my confidence showing I can go out there and compete against the best in the world. No name has been written on those medals (in London) as yet. What is going to make the difference is who wants to win the most on the day.” Prior to his fourth place finish in Rome, Gordon revealed that he fell sick but still put his all. “I was sick but no one knew that. I always go out there and represent to the best and give it my all. Some people don’t know what it takes to be an athlete. We strive for distinction and want to be the best and break records.”

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

...T&T sprint relay teams earn bronze

Sprinter Jereem Richards sped to the silver medal in the boys under-20 200 metre finals at the 2012 Central American and Caribbean Junior (CAC) Track and Field Championships in San Salvador, El Savador on Saturday. The national junior champion clocked 20.98 seconds to take the runner up spot behind Alberto Prado of Cuba (20.87.)  Richards returned to team-up with Jesse Berkley, Jonathan Holder and Ashron Sobers to take bronze in the boys under-20 4X100 metres relay event in a season’s best time of 39.99 seconds as Jamaica struck gold in a meet record time of 39.39 seconds, erasing the mark of 38.77 set by the T&T national team which won the 2010 title. The girls under-18 girls 4X100 metres team also secured the bronze medal. Kayelle Clarke, Tsai-Ann Joseph, Aaliyah Telesford and Zakiya Denoon combined to clock 46.24 to finish behind Jamaica (45.53) and Bahamas (45.72). T&T did not enter teams in the boys under-18 and girls under-20 races.

Jonathan Farinha narrowly missed a medal in the boys under-18 200 metres finals. The Carifta boys under-17 champion finished third in 21.16, a personal best and missed a top three finish by 0.02 seconds. His Abilene Wildcats/QRC team-mate was fifth in 21.49. In the girls under-18 finals Clarke was fifth (24.78) while Telesford was one place behind in sixth (24.82). Marielle Pierre (Burnley/El Dorado East Sec) was edged out of a podium finish taking fourth in the girls under-18 discus finals behind a distance of 37.17 metres. Another T&T thrower Shaiann Charles (D’Abadie Progressive/El Dorado West) was eighth (30.22). Meriah Freeman came up short in the girls under-18 Heptathlon. The D’Abadie Progressive/Five Rivers athlete was fourth with 4065points with Ayana Glasgow (Toco TAFAC/Toco Sec) in sixth (3930). In the girls under-20 Heptathlon Kechelle Douglas (Toco TAFAC/Toco Sec) was fifth (3811.) In action yesterday, Machel Cedenio, Theon Lewis, Jeminise Parris and Reubin Walters qualified for the medal rounds in their events.

Cedenio was the top qualifier in the boys under-18 400m semis. The Presentation College student clocked 48.08 to win heat two. Lewis was the seventh fastest after he won the heat one in 49.22. The finals were contested late yesterday. Parris (Memphis/St Francois Girls’) was the fourth fastest in the girls under 18 100m hurdles crossing the line in 14.02 seconds taking the third spot in heat one. Walters (Memphis/Mucurapo East) is on course for his second medal of the championships clocking the second best time in the boys under 18 110m hurdles semifinals. The 400 metres hurdles silver medallist got to the line in a pb of 13.55 in taking the first heat. The sprint hurdles finals were run off late yesterday.
On the final session of competition last evening Keshorn Walcott (boys under-20 javelin), Shakiel Waithe (boys under-18 javelin), Jevon Joseph (boys under-18 3000m), Chelsea James and Portious Warren (girls under-18 shot put), the boys under 18 and under 20 4X400m teams were in action. T&T was fourth on the medal table at the end of yesterday’s morning session with 13 medals (3 gold,  4 silver and 6 bronze).

Selected results

Day 2-afternoon
Girls Under-18
Discus
4 Marielle Pierre T&T 37.17
8 Shaiann Charles T&T 30.22

200m (Wind: -1.2m/s)
5 Kayelle Clarke T&T 24.78
6 Aaliyah Telesford T&T 24.82

4X100m
1 JAM 45.53
2 BAH 45.72
3 T&T(Kayelle Clarke, Tsai-Anne Joseph, Aaliyah Telesford, Zakiya Denoon) 46.24
Heptathlon
4 Meriah Freeman T&T 4065
6 Ayana Glasgow T&T 3930

Under 20
Heptathlon
5 Kechelle Douglas T&T 3811

Boys Under-18
200m (Wind: -1.5)
4 Jonathan Farinha T&T 21.16
5 Asa Guevara T&T 21.49

Under 20
200m (Wind :-1.2)
2 Jereem Richards T&T 20.98

4X100m
1 JAM 39.39
2 BAH 39.80
3 T&T(Jereem Richards, Jesse Berkley, Ashron Sobers, Jonathan Holder) 39.99
Day three-morning
Boys under 18 400m semis
1 Machel Cedenio T&T 48.08 1h2
7 Theon Lewis T&T 49.22 1h1

Girls under 18 100m hurdles semis
4 Jeminise Parris T&T 14.02 3h1

Boys under 18 110m hurdles semis
2 Reubin Walters T&T 13.5

Medal Table (at the end of Day two)
Position  Country       Total    Gold    Silver  Bronze
1 Jamaica 30 14 10 6
2 Mexico 13 7 5 1
3 Puerto Rico 13 5 6 2
4 D Rep 9 5 1 3
5 T&T 13 3 4 6

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Cleopatra Borel celebrated her selection on Trinidad and Tobago’s London Olympic contingent by winning the women’s shot put title at the Jamaican National Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday. Borel, competing as a guest, came out on top with a heave of 18.28 metres, improving on her 17.98 metres effort to take her eight T&T national title at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, last week. Borel, a veteran of international meets, was among five local athletes competing in Jamaica.  World Championships bronze medallist  Josanne Lucas  was fourth fastest in the women’s 400m hurdles heats.

Lucas clocked 56.63 to finish third in heat two. Her time was short of her 56.39 clocking she established at the National Champs last Sunday and her season’s best of 55.92. The national record holder in the event (53.20) was also named on this country 31 member Olympic team. Another Olympic selectee Emmanuel Callender was fourth in quickest in the men’s 100 metres preliminaries (10.59) and 16th in the 200m heats (20.89).  In the shorter sprint Callender ran into a 4.7m/s head wind. Emanuel Mayers topped the field in the men’s 400m hurdles heats clocking a season’s best of 50.00. Aleesha Barber was set to contest the women’s 100m hurdles preliminaries late yesterday.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Dr Cliff Bertrand
“TTO,” West Indies Federation Olympian 1960, Rome

They were my heroes. I copied their style of racing. I took Keith’s speed, I emulated George’s stamina. His come from well off the pace. I ran the 100 yds: I like Keith. The 600 yds indoors like George. We were the arms of the previous generation: Herb McKenley, Leslie Laing, George Rhoden, and Arthur Wint. We were the Alpha and Omega of the now defunct West Indies Federation Olympic Team. Since all life on this earth is, itself, a “terminal condition,” our grieving should begin well before death occurs-and should go on well after the funeral service. I was impacted by them when we meet in combat to select the Olympic team in Kingston 1960. I was impacted by the news of their death on June 27. The proximity of the time sequence of occurrences. I read about their passing on the newspaper. This left me speechless, motionless, and nervous. I taught of my own immortality. I began to wonder if this Federation of athletes is on its way out. I literally broke down. The thoughts of racing together came back to as if it were yesterday. Rome: As the touring WI team took part in a series of pre-Olympic warm-up competition events prior to the opening ceremonies, athletes and the team management kept a close eye on the prizes in a bid to acclimatise the team in unfamiliar territory. The management team opted for intense daily practices with the primary emphasis on getting accustomed to the demands of the assignment. The great Herb McKenley team coach and Leo Johnson of Illinois Were constantly evaluating and analysing our team in order to determine our strengths, weaknesses and readiness for combat. In addition, the practices and competition solidified team unity, loyalty, friendship, trust in each other. The extra time the team spent together built us to be a most formidable, and fearful opponent for the opposition. It did more than just that: it created a bond of friendship that still exist. The power of sports in building lasting friendship. In the context of the West Indies Federation’s Keith Gardener, George Kerr: George would say to “pace yourself, ‘SAGA’”. Keith would say “Catch them! Dem man can run.” I began to focus. My nose was draining like a leaking pipe. The bounty towel became saturated.I said to myself: It is a good day to cry because our faith is neither so mindless nor so heartless that it is immune to grief. It is a good day to cry because our hope is based not on some knee-jerk optimism but, rather, on the profound awareness that often we walk grief-stricken through the valley of the shadow of death—even as we fear no evil. It is a good day to cry because as I find myself grieving the death of teammates, it is because often I have found myself loving the life and time with them. I cry today because I deeply cherish the faith, hope and love with which they lived and shared Christian life with us. I cry today just like Jesus himself wept outside the tomb of Lazarus. Crying does not contradict Christ. Tears do not drown out the Resurrection. Indeed, I believe that it is precisely in the honesty of our crying and through the vulnerability of our tears that we are best equipped to recognise the risen Christ in our midst. But such honesty and vulnerability get in the way of dealing with death on our own term. I urged their family, friends and all Jamaicans to grieve, feel the sorrow, the pain and suffering. Let us celebrate their deaths as we celebrated their life.  Let us pray for them in death as we prayed for them in life. They were good and honorable men who would be missed by all who the good fortune of knowing them. Be strong and find comfort in trusting in the Lord. The Olympic touch is still on fire. The bonds of friendship will stand forever.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt slumped to his second defeat in three days at the hands of his training partner, Yohan Blake, when he was beaten into second place in the 200 metres final at the Jamaican Olympic trials in Kingston.

In a result that will have London 2012 organisers salivating at the prospect of ferocious re-match on the biggest stage of all in five weeks’ time, Blake crossed the line in 19.80sec, with Bolt 0.03sec behind.

It follows Bolt’s defeat to Blake by a 0.11sec margin in the 100m final on Friday and underlined the size of the task the world record-holder now faces to defend his Olympic crowns.

If anything, Bolt’s 200m defeat is an even bigger shock than this 100m reverse because the longer sprint is an event he has owned since smashing Michael Johnson’s world record in Beijing four years ago. Outside qualifying rounds, his last 200m defeat was in Brussels in September 2007.

Blake, who had always been considered a 100m specialist until he clocked 19.26sec at the same Brussels meet last year to become the second fastest 200m in history behind Bolt, said his victory was down to hard work in training.

"I have been working hard and am seeing it paying off now," Blake said. "I was not surprised by the big win. I know what Bolt has to offer and I know he was not at 100 percent. I just tried to keep my form."

After blaming his 100m loss on his poor start, Bolt said his latest defeat was due mainly to a poor bend.

"I was very sad with my turn,” said Bolt. “It was awful, but I've been working more on the 100 metres. I can't blame it on that, though. I just have to get my things together and get it done."

But he promised he would bounce back from his defeats and said he was confident he would be in peak condition by the time of the Olympics.

"It's all about work and just needing to get my things together and get it right," Bolt said. "I’ve got to get in the work and figure out what I did wrong.

"I have to work hard to get ready for the Olympics. I think I am a little bit weak but three more weeks should be good enough to get back into shape."

Glen Mills, who coaches both men at the Kingston-based Racers Track Club, said: "Usain, he has the experience, the ability. He has been there already. He might be a little off at the moment but I'm sure when the time of delivery comes around, he'll be on top of his game."

Bolt added: "I can never be discouraged. I'm never worried until my coach gets worried, and my coach isn't worried, so I'm OK."

-Simon Hart

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk