Sprinters Kai Selvon and Jonathan Farinha and field athlete Portious Warren were yesterday confirmed as the latest additions to the T&T team for the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan from July 23 to August 8.
The inclusion of the three athletes to the delegation increases the total to 33 athletes and the biggest ever local squad to represent the country at an Olympic Games.
T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis made the announcement on Tuesday at a Zoom-hosted media conference that was also attended by other members of the TTOC executive committee.
Warren will compete in the women's shot put.
Yesterday in a Facebook post she shared the news and her appreciation to her support system.
She said, "I just want to take this time to thank everyone that has played an instrumental part in my journey and everything that I have achieved so far (you know yourselves).
"They say a dream is a wish the heart makes while you are asleep. I have always dreamed of being an Olympian. While I feel like my heart still making wishes. I’m so happy I get to see this wish come through with my eyes wide open. Not only that but my heart being prepared to fight till the end."
Warren went on to thank her coaches saying: "Because I’m an Olympian.
Thank you coach Derek Yush for always believing in me and thank Raven 'Hulk' Saunders was on the verge of walking away from the sport and you reminded me that I’m way stronger and talented thank I think.
"And to the other coaches along my journey that helped me get here Ismael Mastrapa , Kerron Browne Tony Dougherty and JM Thomas thank you. And a special thank you to John Andalcio for always guiding me in the right direction."
Farinha and Selvon have been added to the respective men's and women's 4 x 100 m relay squads.
Lewis advised that Jereem Richards has already qualified in the men's 200m race and will be added to the men's 4 x 400m relay roster.
This all comes after a late request for amendment of the team was made by the acting president George Commissiong of the National Association of Athletic Administrators of T&T (NAAATT).
Lewis said despite the administrative dilemma experienced by the NAAATT, the TTOC had consulted with their legal advisor Dave Williams and opted to not allow the athletes to pay the price for the administrative issues on the local association's part.
Supported by the TTOC executive, Lewis added the three athletes to the squad.
The athlete delegation, the TeamTTO Tokyo2020 squad beat the previous best of 32
athletes (21 men, 11 women) at the 2016 Rio Games.
The current team - that will fly out to the July 23 to August 8 Tokyo2020 Games - comprises 33
(20 men, 13 women).
The number of women's athletes is also a new record for TTO female representation at a quadrennial Games, beating back the 12 women who donned the red, white and black at the 2008 Beijing Games.
The squad will also include 18 athletes making their Olympic debut, including debutants long jumpers Tyra Gittens and Andwuelle Wright, shot putter Portious Warren, sprinters Ayla Stanisclaus, Jonathan Farinha, Dwight St Hillaire, Asa Guevara, Che Lara, Kion Benjamin, Adell
Colthrust, Eric Harrison, and Akanni Hislop. Boxer Aaron Prince, road cyclist Teniel Campbell, track cyclists Kwesi Brown and Nicholas Paul, swimmer Cherelle Thompson, and judoka Gabriella Wood.
Five athletes are making their second appearance at an Olympic Games. Among them are
rower Felice Aisha Chow, sprinters Kyle Greaux, Richards and Khalifa St Fort and swimmer Dylan Carter.
Attaining a hattrick of Olympic qualifications are sprinters Michelle- Lee Ahye, Kai Selvon, sailor
Andrew Lewis, one-lap specialists Machel Cedenio and Deon Lendore, javelin thrower Keshorn
Walcott and hurdler Sparkle McKnight.
2008 Olympic men's 100m silver medallist and journeyman Richard Thompson and sprinter Semoy Hackett are making their fourth trip to the Olympics while veteran Kelly-Ann Baptiste will join legendary swimmer George Bovell III as the most capped TTO athlete with her fifth Olympic appearance.
T&T Olympic Games Athletics Team
Track - Michelle-Lee Ahye (100m 4x100m relay), Kelly-Ann Baptiste (100m 4x100m), Semoy Hackett (4x100m), Khalifa St Fort (4x100m ), Ayla Stanisclaus (4x100m), Kai Selvon (4x100m), Sparkle McKnight (400m hurdles), Kyle Greaux (200m), Jereem Richards (200m, 4x400m), Machel Cedenio (400m, 4x400m), Deon Lendore (400m, 4x400m), Dwight St Hillaire (400m, 4x400m), Asa Guevara (4x400m relay), Che Lara (4x400m relay), Kion Benjamin (4x100m), Adell Colthrust (4x100m), Eric Harrison (4x100m), Akanni Hislop (4x100m), Richard Thompson (4x100m), Jonathan Farinha (4x100m).
Field athletes - Keshorn Walcott (Javelin), Andwuelle Wright (Long jump), Tyra Gittens (long jump), Portious Warren (shot put)
Staff: George Comissiong (team manager), NicConnor Alexander (coach), Dr Ian Hypolite (coach), Charles Joseph (coach), Ismael Lopez Mastrapa (coach), Wendell Williams (coach)