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    It is no accident that few in Trinidad and Tobago knew who Lalonde Gordon was before he showed up in the London 2012 Olympic heats on August 4 for the first of a string of performances that led the quarter-miler to double Olympic bronze.
    Even after chatting with the introverted Tobago-born athlete, it is hard to get a picture of who he really is.
    But one can sense that the runner is as humble as he is reserved.
    Gordon’s mother Cynthia Cupid, though, has shed more light on the soft-spoken Olympic hero.
    His desire to be surrounded by positives is complemented by his quietness, Cupid explained as reporters attempted to get some insight on the runner, whose favourite animal as a youngster, coincidentally, was a cheetah. She pointed out that her son does not like being around “negative people”.
    She was speaking yesterday at the Piarco International Airport as her son returned to Trinidad and Tobago after the Olympic Games.
    As a child, Cupid said, Gordon – who spent most of his life in the United States – fell ill.
    She took him to the hospital where he had surgery, and the doctor said her son “wasn’t really sick”. He had too much muscle around his abdomen which was impeding his intestines.
    Even as a six-year-old, Gordon had that spirit of determination. In elementary school he won a trophy, and promised her the next week to pick up an even bigger one.
    “And he brought back the bigger one,” Cupid said.
    It was little surprise to Cupid, then, that Gordon would be on his way to the Olympics to run the individual 400m lap after failing to achieve the qualifying time at the Sagicor National Track and Field Championships, despite toppling defending champion Renny Quow, also of Tobago.
    “After the trials, he said ‘Mommy, I am going to the Olympics’. He was already in the 4x400m (relay), but he wanted to run by himself (in the 400m event). So what I did, I bought him a ticket to go to Nebraska where he competed and he [clocked] 45.02. Right away we went to England (ahead of the Olympics).”
    Cupid watched on from the stands as Lalonde strode to second in his heat, then first in his semi-final in a personal best 44.54, a mark he then improved on in the final for another personal best and Olympic bronze, all after just two years as a quarter-miler.
    After that performance, she was positive T&T’s 4x400m team of Gordon, Machel Cedenio, Ade Alleyne-Forte and Deon Lendore, in the absence of Renny Quow, would medal for only the second time, and the first time since Wendell Mottley, Kent Bernard, Edwin Roberts and Edwin Skinner did so in Tokyo 1964.
    “They were very positive,” Cupid recalled. “I met them, and they were dancing in the restaurant, and they felt like they were going to do something good. And they all get along because I see that they look out for each other. There was no hostility, there was love.”
    Cupid believes that Lalonde’s 400m bronze medal–T&T’s first at the Games–helped inspire his 4x400m relay teammates.
    “… I spoke to every one of them and I said ‘you guys can do it’,” Cupid said. “Because when I see the other guys and I saw the times (they were running), I said, you know what, you guys could do it. Just go out there like there’s a lion running behind you guys, and just do it And I was happy when I see they came in third.”
    Following his arrival at Piarco yesterday, Gordon said: “I know I can do a lot. I just (learned) I can do a lot.”
    The lanky soft-spoken, quarter-miler returned to Piarco International Airport before heading to Tobago for celebrations at Arthur NR Robinson Airport in the sister isle.
    Gordon was treated to a hero’s welcome at Piarco’s VIP Lounge, and mobbed by the media with a plethora of questions after the official proceedings were over. And just as he did in the Olympic 400 metre finale, the 23-year old US-based college student, took every question calmly, and in stride.
    Asked how he felt about his Olympic performances, replied: “Knowing that this is what I wanted to do all my life, and knowing that I made my country proud that day, it was a good feeling and I just thank God.”
    Only three years ago, Gordon said he had returned to track and field after a six-year hiatus. And he only picked up the 400m–an event he did not even like–in 2010. It turned out to be a genius idea.
    “I was running since I was small, but I didn’t run for about six years,” Gordon told reporters yesterday. “I started back training in 2009, for my college, Mohawk Valley Community College…started doing the 400m in 2010, never liked it, but I just wanted to give it a shot. Every week I started getting better at it, so I just stuck to the 400m.”
    Gordon won the event at T&T’s National Championships in late June. He persevered to make the time at the US National Club Track and Field Championships in Omaha Nebraska, clocking 45.02 in his last shot at the qualifying mark. He would push the envelope again, twice registering personal bests to secure T&T’s first medal at the Games with a 44.52 clocking. “My body never went so fast like in the rounds, so it was like a type of shock,” Gordon explained. “But I said in the finals I just have to come through and I could pull through, so I just give it all I got.”

    By Kern De Freitas

    Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

    FORMER Olympian, Hasely Crawford, who won the Men’s100-Metre dash at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, has cleared the air on circulating rumours that he wanted to be Trinidad and Tobago’s only gold medallist.

    During a Sunday Newsday interview on Thursday at his home in Federation Park, St James, Crawford responded to critics, whom he claimed, said that he wanted to be the country’s only gold medallist, following Keshorn Walcott’s overwhelming success in the recently-concluded Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom.

    Walcott, 19, of Trois Roche village, Toco, did the country proud when he attained a gold medal in the javelin competition at the Games with a record- breaking throw of 84.58 metres. He became T&T’s second gold medallist after some 36 years.

    Deeply upset by the statement, Crawford, who has been a long-standing member of the National Amateur Athletic Association (NAAA), said he had sat down for lengthy periods with other members of the association’s executive to try to develop track and field in this country over the years.

    “Late in the night in Couva we have been planning for the Olympic Games (London). Is that someone who wanted to be the only gold medallist?” he asked.

    “Wanting to be the only gold medallist is of no value to me. If I was getting millions of dollars for that, of course.”

    If he had wanted to be T&T’s sole gold medallist, Crawford said, “It would be an indication that we were not doing something right if we cannot produce a medallist after 36 years. It upsets me. That is so far from the truth,” he said of the statement.

    Crawford, who turned 62 on Thursday, said he had also followed and supported the careers of sprinters Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Richard Thompson and others over the last decade

    “Most of them never came for advice in the way they should but I made sure I was there for them. Is that a person who want to stay the only gold medallist?” he asked.

    Crawford, who had attended the London Olympics, said it was joy to see Walcott perform in the javelin toss against some of the world’s heavyweights.

    The former Olympian said he later instructed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Ashwin Creed and NAAA President, Ephraim Serette, to prepare for the country’s next gold medallist.

    “A lot of people did not expect him to win but everything went in his favour, including the breeze, when he threw. Is as though God was in this thing,” he said.

    Crawford added, “The Olympic Games is a spiritual thing. To win a gold, the mental, spiritual and physical must become one at that moment. It happened on that day for Keshorn.”

    He added, “When you are competing you evoke a spirit. It’s a fact. Here it is a junior ,19, the world record holder and you beat them (European athletes). You telling me there is no spirit in that?” he asked.

    By COREY CONNELLY

    Source: www.newsday.co.tt

    The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has rejected claims by Dick Pound, former chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), suggesting that the country's athletes are not being properly tested for drugs.

    JADCO has strongly defended Jamaica's anti-doping programme after Pound said on an international television station that Jamaican athletes belonged to a group that was difficult to test.

    The international spotlight has fallen directly on Jamaican athletes after they dominated the sprint events at the London Olympics.

    "There is no way that anyone could dare talk about JADCO being a third world organisation versus a first world organisation," declared Professor Winston Davidson, vice-chairman JADCO.

    "As far as I am concerned we adhere to the same international standards and are as good or even better than those who call themselves first world."

    Usain Bolt stormed to victory in both the 100 and 200 metres, with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce snatching gold in the women's 100 as the Caribbean island consolidated its domination

    Pound, now a member of the International Olympic Committee, said Jamaican athletes should now expect more visits by drug testers.

    However, Davidson has insisted that nothing is wrong with JADCO's anti-doping programme.

    "...and as such everything must be done that's transparent and that can stand any kind of scrutiny or any rigor from any quarter at home and abroad."

    Jamaica won a clean sweep in the men's 200 with Yohan Blake and Warren Weir winning silver and bronze behind Bolt.

    "No, they are one of the groups that are hard to test, it is (hard) to get in and find them and so forth," Pound told Reuters Television when asked whether he was happy with the way Jamaica tested its athletes.

    "I think they can expect, with the extraordinary results that they have had, that they will be on everybody's radar."

    More than 100 athletes were caught using banned substances in the months leading up to the Games following increased testing by national and international anti-doping agencies

    Meantime, WADA has indicated it has no concerns about the operations of Jamaica's anti-doping authorities.

    WADA said the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission was deemed compliant in the compliance report passed by WADA's foundation board last November.

    "In order to achieve compliance, an anti-doping organisation needs to satisfy a number of criteria with regard to its anti-doping programme, including having an element of out-of-competition testing," WADA said in a statement sent to the RJR Communications Group.

    "It must also have in place anti-doping regulations that allow the programme to function effectively."

    WADA said many Jamaican track-and-field athletes are part of the IAAF's registered testing pool and are, therefore, also tested independently of their national anti-doping programme.

    "WADA has visited Jamaica several times in the last couple of years to provide guidance and advice to JADCO," the international agency said. "We expect an invitation to return again this year as a result of the appointment of a new CEO at JADCO."

    WADA also noted that JADCO is mandated to deliver a report every year to its stakeholders which identifies any anti-doping rules violations and that WADA had received the report.

    "As with all signatories, WADA will continue to monitor and offer assistance where needed to make anti-doping efforts as robust as possible," the agency said. —CMC

    Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

    Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross edged Botswana's Amantle Montsho to win the women's 400 metres at the DN Gala Diamond League meeting yesterday.

    Four Trinidad and Tobago athletes also competed in Stockholm--Richard Thompson, Jehue Gordon, Jarrin Solomon and Cleopatra Borel.

    Solomon was second in the men's 400 metres in 46.18 seconds; Gordon (49.00) was fourth in the men's 400m hurdles; Thompson (10.23) was sixth in the men's 100m; and Borel (18.11 metres) was sixth in the women's shot put.

    American Ryan Bailey won the men's 100-metre race in 9.93 seconds. Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Michael Frater finished second and third respectively, but failed to dip below the 10-second mark.

    In the women's 400m, Richards-Ross moved in front of Montsho down the stretch and finished in 49.89 seconds. Montsho clocked 50.03, with Britain's Christine Ohuruogu taking third in 50.77.

    "I feel good. Coming back for a race like this after the Olympics, you can feel physically and emotionally drained," Richards-Ross said. "But it went pretty well. And the atmosphere was fantastic."

    American countryman Michael Tinsley also picked up a victory, beating Olympic champion Felix Sanchez in the 400m hurdles in 48.50 seconds. Dominican Sanchez finished 0.43 behind while Jamaican Leford Green was third in 48.97.

    "I think it's pretty good to get your legs going after the Olympics," Tinsley said. "There is a lot of physical and mental stress going into the Olympics, so it's nice to come out and relax and run."

    Sanchez, who only arrived in Stockholm from his home country on Friday, felt he couldn't have done much better under the circumstances.

    "My legs are really tired and I didn't get out well at all," he said. "My stride pattern was all messed up, so I was happy to come second. I haven't been in Stockholm for 24 hours. My body is on auto-pilot right now."

    Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor of the United States managed 18.72 yards to win his event. Ukraine's Sheryf El Sheryf was second, and Russian Lyukman Adams took third.

    "It went wonderful today," Taylor said. "My hopes were high and every time I compete I try to go over that 17-metre barrier... Obviously I'm on a high from the Olympic Games and I am just so blessed to have a wonderful coach, and winning this has been the icing on the cake."

    Shot put star Valerie Adams, coming off the New Zealander's second Olympic gold in London, dominated her event, throwing 22.16 yards. Russian Yevgenia Kolodko was second with her 20.87-yard throw, while Germany's Christina Schwanitz was third.

    Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

    The Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) will host a reception and media conference today with the arrival of double Olympic Bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon, at the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport, from 12.45 pm. The Tobago-born Gordon captured bronze in the 400m and 4x400m events at the London Olympics. He returns home with his mother Cynthia Cupid to share in the national jubilation of the country’s Olympic success. Minister of Sport Anil Roberts will be present at the reception, along with officials of the T&T Olympic Committee, the National Association of Athletics Administrations and members of the successful 4x400m relay team. Gordon will subsequently visit Tobago for celebratory activities there before heading to Europe to compete on the Diamond League circuit.

    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    The Government has apologised for any impression created by the fact that other members of the T&T Olympic team were not honoured at Monday’s Piarco homecoming celebration for gold medallist Keshorn Walcott, says Communication Minister Jamal Mohammed. He added:  “We do apologise if the impression was created that we had forgotten or ignored the other Olympic athletes.

    “Monday’s celebration at Piarco Airport was specially in honour of the man who won the gold medal, Keshorn Walcott. Monday was his day, since he touched down in T&T after winning the gold medal. “The other athletes will be duly recognised at the appropriate time. It is not as though they were forgotten or left out, far from that, and if that impression was created in any quarter, I duly apologise for it.”

    The T&T Olympic Committee, however, publicly apologised on Wednesday to the four returning athletes who were not acknowledged at the welcoming ceremony for the returning Olympians at the Piarco International Airport on Monday. Cyclist Njisane Phillip, sprinters Michelle-Lee Ahye and Reyane Thomas, runner Machel Cedeno and hurdler Mikel Thomas arrived at Piarco at the same time on Monday.

    But only Walcott and Phillip were publicly recognised and presented to the public from the balcony of the airport’s atrium. TTOC general secretary Brian Lewis was reported in yesterday’s T&T Guardian as describing the omission as “unfortunate and disappointing.” Saying the TTOC accepted full responsibility, Lewis said it was because of problems in communication at the airport that only Walcott and Phillip were presented to the huge crowd.

    Asked when the other athletes would be recognised and in what way, Mohammed could not give an exact date but said arrangements were being worked out. Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Lincoln Douglas said some of the T&T team’s track and field athletes had not returned home on Monday but had gone to another  athletic meeting overseas.

    He also said Government’s statements at Monday’s airport celebration had indicated all the athletes on T&T’s Olympic team would be honoured at another occasion. Sports Minister Anil Roberts did not reply to cellphone calls. Former PNM Sports Minister Gary Hunt was critical of the fact that the other team members appeared to have been left out of Monday’s Piarco agenda.

    Hunt said: “This PP Government is simply reactionary and not given to proper planning. Of course the perception would arise in the public domain that other members of the team were slighted if they had not been part of the celebration programme at the airport!

    “In 2008 when T&T’s Olympic team, including track and field sprinter Richard Thompson and swimmer George Bovell, returned from that year’s Olympics, the Manning administration honoured all of the returning athletes—not one or two—but all. “Nor did we as a government try to piggyback on the glory of the athletes when they returned, as this administration did with Keshorn Walcott, unfortunately.”

    Hunt added: “The PP administration has tried in every way to benefit in some way from the shining glory of young Walcott and in seeking to cash in on the adulation from the crowds who thronged around him recently. But it’s the T&T athletes, including Keshorn, and their coaches, who did T&T proud.”

    By Gail Alexander

    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    In the aftermath of Trinidad and Tobago's record four-medal Olympic haul, local athletes are already in line to benefit, with Petrotrin announcing a $2 million Athletic Development Programme.

    At a media conference at Petrotrin's Queen's Park West office building, chairman Lindsay Gillette yesterday announced the new endeavour, which he stressed is for up-and-coming athletes, and not T&T's elites. A maximum eight track and field athletes, four swimmers, four boxers and four cyclists will receive assistance over the next four years.

    But there are some conditions under which athletes will not only qualify for funding, but keep receiving it.

    The athletes must have a "high participation in sport" and "realistic chances" of reaching the Rio 2016 Olympics, as well as being deemed "deserving of assistance".

    They must also have "track records to suggest that they are on the verge of greatness" and "likely to achieve success".

    Team sports are not included in the sponsorship, while academic performance and behaviour are also criteria being considered for athlete assistance. Persons receiving Government assistance will also be ineligible.

    The funds will be disbursed in tranches of $500,000 per year, and athletes will be monitored to ensure they continue to meet the Programme's criteria. That works out to $24,000 per year for each athlete, to be delivered through their respective sporting associations.

    "We are confident that we are putting in place a practical programme which will provide the support where it is most needed--at the individual level," Gillette said following his announcement.

    Gillette said although the initiative is a new one, Petrotrin's efforts to assist athletes are not.

    "We don't want to just give out money (to athletes); we want to support them in everything possible." The former T&T senator said athletes require things like nutrition and proper gear, and that funding is usually only forthcoming after big performances.

    "People wait for an athlete to get a gold medal or a silver or a bronze medal," Gillette reasoned, "before they begin supporting or are ready to get some support in the future, when in fact what an athlete requires is a lot of support before the actual achievement."

    Gillette also took issue with a recent letter to the editor that called for London 2012 Olympics 50-metre freestyle finalist George Bovell to retire, pointing out that it takes a lot of effort and sacrifice to compete at a high level.

    "For George to swim sub-22 (seconds), which is 21.77, from a 22.04 (clocking)...requires two years or three years of training on a continuous basis, giving up all your parties, training morning, training noon, training night, sometimes (and) going to different championships. Those (improvements by) points of a second require a lot of dedication."

    Also at the media conference were National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette, Amateur Swimming Association of T&T (ASATT) assistant secretary Neal Marcano, T&T Cycling Federation (TTCF) president Rowena Williams and T&T Amateur Boxing Association (TTABA) president, Cecil Forde. The sporting representatives thanked Petrotrin for their assistance, while Serrette said it would allow them to extend their current athlete support efforts.

    "We have athletes who benefit from the (Ministry of Sport) elite funding, and this would allow the NAAA to reintroduce a programme that we had started a couple of years ago, called 'Poor but Talented Athletes'," Serrette said.

    "This is going to allow us to reintroduce this programme using the criteria to select athletes, male and female, to benefit from such an initiative."

    By Kern De Freitas

    Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

    IT will be a "blessing" if London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Keston Bledman is rewarded by the State with the gift of a house, his father Kenny Bledman said yesterday.

    Keston Bledman was a member of the 4x100 metre relay team that won the bronze last Saturday after the disqualification of third place finishers Canada.

    Bledman, who has stayed on in Europe to compete in other track events, was also part of the relay team that won a silver medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

    Kenny Bledman, of Seeratan Trace, Union Village, Claxton Bay said his son and all the other athletes who participated in the London 2012 Olympic Games were deserving of all the national recognition they received and they should be rewarded.

    And he has no problem with Keshorn Walcott, the nation's second Olympic gold medallist, getting most of the attention and rewards at this time.

    He said, "This year we will be celebrating 50 years of Independence and they did their very best and made us proud. All of them should be honoured even though there are some of them who did not get a medal.

    Just by being there alone is good enough. These fellas put out everything they had, to do their best, and they are supposed to be treated nice. When these guys come home, they are supposed to be treated just as nice."

    A house will be the most important thing needed by 24-year-old Keston Bledman, his father said.

    "If my son could get a house, I would be very thankful. That is the most important thing for him. He would usually stay at a hotel or sometimes pass through by me but most of the time he is not really around. I think it is a good investment for a young person. I don't know what the others might want. Everybody will have different wants and needs and they should be rewarded accordingly."

    Sport Minister Anil Roberts said in a television interview yesterday that all the Olympic athletes who won medals in London would be rewarded.

    Roberts said the rewards were already decided, and the athletes would be invited home for a celebration in early September.

    Kenny Bledman, a father of six, said Keston is his youngest child.

    He said there was no greater joy than seeing the success of his children.

    Recalling the last conversation he had with his son, he said: "He told me no matter what 'I have to do my best.We have to get a medal'. I told him go out there and do your best and he told me 'I will do my best'".

    Bledman said his son's victory was a birthday gift in advance. He will celebrate his 61st birthday on September 7.

    By Sue-Ann Wayow

    Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

    Cleopatra Borel never got to compete for an Olympic medal in the women’s shot put final. But on Monday, she was listed as an official finalist. The adjustments in the results were made following the disqualification of gold medallist Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus after she failed a doping test. Borel orignally placed 13th, with a best throw 18.36 metres, just missing out on a top 12 spot and a chance to throw for the gold medal, by some nine centimetres. She finished just behind Natalie Duco of Chile, who threw 18.45m. Ostapchuk’s disqualification means Borel was elevated to 12th, and adds another finalist to T&T’s bag of success at the Games which ended on Sunday. T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) secretary general Brian Lewis holds strong feelings on the issue of doping and made the call for life bans for athletes guilty of such an act. “Cleopatra (Borel) was denied her opportunity to contest for a medal. You could not have known what would have happened if she was given the chance. It highlights the fact that the penalties for doping should be more severe so that honest athletes would not have to suffer,” suggested Lewis.
    The Belarussian athlete tested positive for anabolic agent metenolone on August 5 and 6 and was disqualified from the final results.
    Valerie Adams of New Zealand was awarded the gold medal while Russia's Evgeniia Kolodko was promoted to silver and  Lijiao Gong earned the bronze. “Valerie (Adams) never got the chance to hear her anthem play. That can’t be replaced. The two other medallists like her will never get to experience their moment in the spotlight. Changing the results after the fact is not enough," said Lewis. This was reiterated by the president of the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA), Ephraim Serrette,who described the outcome as “sad”. “Nobody knows how she would have performed on the day. It’s a sad day for that particular event. “Just look at Keshorn (Walcott), how well he performed in the final, winning gold,” said a concerned Serrette. “It’s just sad that she could not get a chance to compete in the final.” Manager of the T&T Olympic track and field team, Dexter Voisin, worked closely with Borel, who made her third appearance at the Olympic Games. Voisin seemed clearly bothered by the news and found it difficult to comment on the topic.
    “I don’t know how to respond,” said Voisin. “I would have preferred she’d thrown in the final. Performance can change in the final. Look at Keshorn (Walcott), the top qualifiers couldn’t even match their throws in the qualification round when they got to the final, they didn’t come close,” said Voisin. He refers to the defending Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen from Norway and Czech Republic's Vitezslav Vesely, who threw 88.34 metres in the qualifying rounds, were the favourites going into the final. Thorkildsen had to settle for sixth place with his attempt of 82.63 while Vesely was fourth with 83.34. “At the end of the day, it was unfortunate she was denied a chance in the final. It’s a tough one,” added Voisin.
    It will be recorded in history as Borel’s second time qualifying for the Olympic final. Her first was when she made her debut at the 2004 Athens Olympics in Greece, finishing tenth in the women’s shot put with an 18.35 throw. In 2008, she placed 17th in qualification round with her best attempt at 17.96m. “Yes she is now recorded as a finalist which qualifies her if she wishes to continue to Rio 2016,” said Lewis. “It just shows that T&T athletes tried to do it the right way. They followed the rules and were drug-free. They must be recognised for that.”
    By: Rachael Thompson-King
    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott has turned down offers from the United States (US) to accept a full scholarship offered by Government to pursue tertiary studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).

    At a gala reception at the Piarco International Airport on Monday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed Government will be honouring the 19-year-old for his phenomenal achievement in London last Saturday.

    Among the list of rewards to Walcott was the scholarship to study whatever he desires at UTT.

    Walcott was also given a house in Federation Park worth $2.5 million, 20,000 square feet of land and $1 million in cash.

    To also honour him, the Toco Lighthouse was renamed the Keshorn Walcott Lighthouse, a Caribbean Airlines aircraft would be named after him, his former secondary school, Toco Composite, will also now bear his name.

    Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Walcott, who was offered scholarships in the US, revealed he is staying in Trinidad and will be attending UTT.

    “Yes I accepted it (the scholarship) but I’m not sure as yet (what I am studying),” he said.

    Walcott, who has gone from virtual obscurity to one of the most famous people in the country, previously attended the now Keshorn Walcott Secondary School in Toco where he wrote his CXC examinations.

    He later returned to the same school to pursue Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Walcott wrote his Level I exams but due to a hectic 2012 season was unable to write the final Level II exam.

    Walcott competed at the National Junior Championships on June 3, the National Open Championships on June 24, the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships on June 29 and the World Junior Championship in Spain on July 13, winning gold at every single meet.

    He then flew to a pre-Olympic camp in Wales before going to the Olympics in London where he beat an impressive field which included World champion Matthias de Zordo of Germany and number one ranked Vitezslav Vesely of the Czech Republic.

    “Because we had to focus on certain goals (he couldn’t write the examinations),” Sean Roach, Walcott’s manager stated yesterday. It is unclear if Walcott will complete his CAPE studies or be allowed to study at UTT based on other entry level requirements.

    Meanwhile, Walcott, who received a Blackberry smartphone from TSTT on Tuesday, following a visit to their branch on Edward Street in Port-of-Spain, revealed no endorsement deal has been finalised as yet with the telecommunications company.

    The reigning World Junior champion was paraded before his adoring fans from Piarco to his hometown of Toco in a motorcade that lasted over seven hours on Monday, ending in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

    The outpouring of love and support for the teenager have been tremendous with more than 7,000 turning up at the airport to greet him and thousands more lining the streets to catch a glimpse of their hero.

    Asked how has this experience been for him, Walcott said he really appreciated those who made his homecoming such a grand affair.

    “It feels really great. Everything has been coming along great,” he said yesterday, while he noted that rest and recuperation alone are on his mind for the near future.

    By Stephon Nicholas

    Source: www.newsday.co.tt

    spacer

    NATIONAL SPRINTER Michelle-Lee Ahye is satisfied with her performances at the recently-concluded Olympic Games in London, England.

    Ahye featured in the women’s 100-metre sprints, where she was eighth in her semi-final heat, in 11.32 seconds, while she was part of the women’s 4x100m relay team, who had a failed baton exchange in the final at the London Olympic Stadium.

    In an interview upon her arrival home on Monday, at the Piarco International Airport, the 20-year-old commented, “it was a good experience, even though it had little mishaps. But it was a very good experience for me. I learnt a lot, it was pretty good.”

    Reflecting on the pre-Olympic camp in Wales, Ahye noted, “when we reached to Wales, everything was alright.

    “Everything was good, on point. We got our own Caribbean chef so we had our own local dishes. It was pretty awesome.”

    Asked about her experiences on the world stage in London, she replied, “at my age, for me it was pretty good. Honestly, words can’t explain how I was feeling, representing Trinidad and Tobago. It was good to me.”

    But, as far as the relay was concerned, “it was good being there for the heats but, in the final, even though we had a little mishap, just being there in the final was good.”

    Admitting that “my season is officially over, until next year”, she stated, “I’m just relaxing my shin right now.

    “I have a little shin problem but, by November, I’ll be back out training,” she ended.

    Source: www.newsday.co.tt

    NATIONAL SPRINTER Michelle-Lee Ahye is satisfied with her performances at the recently-concluded Olympic Games in London, England.

    Ahye featured in the women’s 100-metre sprints, where she was eighth in her semi-final heat, in 11.32 seconds, while she was part of the women’s 4x100m relay team, who had a failed baton exchange in the final at the London Olympic Stadium.

    In an interview upon her arrival home on Monday, at the Piarco International Airport, the 20-year-old commented, “it was a good experience, even though it had little mishaps. But it was a very good experience for me. I learnt a lot, it was pretty good.”

    Reflecting on the pre-Olympic camp in Wales, Ahye noted, “when we reached to Wales, everything was alright.

    “Everything was good, on point. We got our own Caribbean chef so we had our own local dishes. It was pretty awesome.”

    Asked about her experiences on the world stage in London, she replied, “at my age, for me it was pretty good. Honestly, words can’t explain how I was feeling, representing Trinidad and Tobago. It was good to me.”

    But, as far as the relay was concerned, “it was good being there for the heats but, in the final, even though we had a little mishap, just being there in the final was good.”

    Admitting that “my season is officially over, until next year”, she stated, “I’m just relaxing my shin right now.

    “I have a little shin problem but, by November, I’ll be back out training,” she ended.

    By Ronald Saunders
    On the basis of the size of populations and medals won, the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada would be ranked in first place in the 2012 Olympic Games in London with another Caribbean island, Jamaica, in second place—though with a larger number of medals. Using the same size of population measurement, the Bahamas would be third and T&T, fifth. Officially, the rankings based on their medals are: Jamaica 18 (with 12 medals, 4 gold), T&T 47 (with 4 medals, one gold), Bahamas and Grenada both 50 (with 1 gold medal each). The United States (with 104 medals, 46 gold) is number one with China (88 medals, 33 gold) in second place, Great Britain third (with 65 medals, 29 gold) and South Korea fifth (with 28 medals, 13 gold).  But the medal haul of the US and China is drawn from populations of 312 million and 1.3 billion respectively, while Grenada’s medal—a gold for Kirani James in the 400 metre race—comes from a population of a mere 110,000 and Jamaica’s outstanding 12 medals (4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze) from a population of 2.8 million. Using medals per head of population as a measurement, the US would be 47 and China number 73. When gross domestic product (GDP) is added to this analysis, Grenada and Jamaica perform even better.  The United States and China are rated by the International Monetary Fund at first and second respectively as the two largest economies in the world, while Grenada and Jamaica are ranked at 172 and 113 of 182 nations. On GDP criteria Grenada would still be number one, the US would be 66; Jamaica would be number two, China would be 54.
    In track and field, Caribbean athletes have shown that they are among the world’s best. This is cause for much pride by the people of these two English-Speaking Caribbean countries and their partner-countries in the Commonwealth Caribbean whose total population is just about five million people. The phenomenal Usain Bolt, who has spectacularly won two individual gold medals in the 100 and 200 metres events, and Yohan Blake, who took silver, behind him are as much heroes of their neighbouring English-speaking Caribbean countries as they are of their native Jamaica. So, too, are Warren Weir who gave Jamaica a clean sweep in the 200 metres by taking the bronze. The Jamaican women Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce (gold and silver in the 100 metres and 200 metres respectively) and Veronica Campbell Brown (bronze in the 100 metres) are also special heroines upholding the prowess of Caribbean womanhood and taking on the best of the United States. Of the English-speaking Caribbean countries, T&T also won a bronze medal through Lalonde Gordon who was third in the Men’s 400 metres event. And, Keshorn Walcott, who astonished the world, by taking the Olympic gold in the javelin event, has also become a belated Caribbean hero.
    But beyond the marvellous performances by these athletes is a reality that, apart from Jamaica, the development of sports persons in the English-speaking Caribbean countries is woefully poor. Neither governments nor the private sector in the region are contributing to the development of sports in the quantities that they should. Yet, everyone basks in the superb accomplishment of Caribbean athletes who triumph largely because of their natural talent and dedication
    Caribbean countries have been lucky to have unearthed persons with natural talent, but that talent alone will not sustain them in the future against competition from athletes from other countries whose governments and private sector are investing heavily in them precisely because they want glorious results at the Olympics and other international games.  For any athlete, while a substantial part of his or her capacity resides in natural talent, they will fail if they are denied financial support, good coaching and tireless training. This has been the basis for China’s success. Once identified, its sports persons are taken out of their homes and away from their families to spend years in rigorous training and coaching camps.  This is the extreme position. No country has to go as far as separating sports persons from their homes and family for the inordinate length of time that China does, but all countries that want their sports people to do well because of the pride it brings to their people and the joy of seeing them win, have to invest in the facilities they need to become world champions. Jamaica in the English-speaking Caribbean has invested more than any other country in the development of its athletics and sprinting, and it is reaping the benefit. In the case of Kirani James of Grenada, it should be recalled that he is a student at the University of Alabama in the US, where he has benefited from the skills of a remarkable coach, Harvey Glance, and facilities that are far superior to anything in the region. The Bahamian athletes (who won gold in the 4x400 metres relay) are also beneficiaries of US exposure.
    Even as the London 2012 Olympic events were in full swing, with the host country achieving a record collection of medals, leading sports persons warned the British government not to cut spending for sport.  They cautioned that any cuts would have dire consequences for the performance of British sports people in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. It is significant that since London was awarded the Olympic Games seven years ago, the national lottery contributed US$390 million to support elite athletes.  Little wonder that with a population of 59 million people—a sixth of the size of the US population and a fraction of China’s numbers—Britain is third in the medal winners. The people of the English-speaking Caribbean have every reason to be proud of their athletes and of the impact they are making on the world, but this pride will not be sustained unless governments and the private sectors invest in the facilities these gifted athletes need. Many governments and official organisations jumped on the bandwagon of the Caribbean athletes’ success but had made little or no contribution to their development. To ensure future champions, how about a single sports academy manned by outstanding coaches, located in Jamaica and funded by all the governments and private sectors of the Caribbean Community, for the region’s elite athletes?
    (The writer is a consultant and former Caribbean diplomat)

    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    Boxers Johnny De Peiza, Yolande Pompey,  Matt Donavan, Fitzroy Guisseppi and Giselle Salandy are among those who will be honoured as the Amateur Boxing Association celebrates the nation’s 50th anniversary of Independence by recognising the past and present administrators, sponsors and boxers of south T&T on Friday. As part of the occasion, an amateur card will staged. The event will be held on the Harris Promenade at 3 pm. T&T Boxing Board of Control (T&TBBC) President, Annabelle Davis, said that the T&TBBC is pleased to be part of the occasion. “We feel we have turned a page and successfully ‘re-imaged’ boxing. We hope to actively turn that new page by bringing on and promoting our new community programmes in September,” said Davis. Special advisor to the Board, Boxu Potts, pledged an-eight man team to the 2016 Olympics. Potts stated that plans are already being implemented for amateur boxers. “We are putting together a nutritional plan, a training plan, an academic plan that will assist and sustain our up-coming Olympic team to the World Games and the Brazil 2016 Olympics, and we will qualify with four male and four female fighters.”
    Potts also commented on former Olympic athlete Carlos Suarez’s description of him as one of the worst boxing people he has have dealt with in boxing: “I understand that Mr Suarez is going pro. I want to wish him well. I want to give him a bit of advice, if you want to be a professional boxer, you start at six rounds and end at 12, so you have to train your self mentally physically and technically. “If he wants to stay as an amateur, however, he is stuck with us. He is stuck with T&T for the next two years. We are forgiving people and we would welcome him back. We would advise and assist him to go forward. He is one of us. Sometimes children behave naughty, and we spank them and the rebel Suarez is one of our children who has been naughty.”
    Awardees
    Promoters
    Edwin Peters
    Daniel Ramoutarsingh
    Jap King Fook
    Arthur Sanderson
    Victor Sammy
    Businessmen
    William Sutherland
    Hansley Stephan
    Rishi Siewdass
    Administrators
    Jack Ramoutarsingh
    Fareed Amin
    Yvette Rousseau
    Mario Robinson
    Herbert Bhagwansingh
    Fitzroy Richards
    Deopersad Ramoutar
    Harold Seepersad
    Clifton De Couteau
    Nizam Muradali
    Bertrand Assing
    Chandradesh Sharma
    Telphus Josheph
    Promoter
    Evon Joseph
    Dr Vivian Dominque
    Frank Austin
    Francis Bertrand
    Clyde Bertrand
    Cecil Ford
    Marielle Peters
    Coaches
    Burton Forde
    Edward Rousseau
    Cap Wilson
    Felix Jones
    Businessmen
    Mervyn Edwards
    Mike Jarvis
    Anthony Waterman
    Winston Cox
    Boxers
    Johnny De Peiza
    Aloyfus Marcano
    Roy Harry
    Ashton Antoine
    Yolande Pompey
    Matt Donavan
    Fitzroy Guisseppi
    Giselle Salandy
    Wendell Joseph
    Joseph Charles
    Christopher Hospedales
    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    The T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) has issued a public apology to the four local Olympic representatives who were not publicly acknowledged at the welcoming ceremony for the returning Olympians at the Piarco International Airport on Monday. Six of T&T’s Olympians touched down at the airport on Monday including gold javelin medallist Keshorn Walcott, cyclist Njisane Phillip, sprinters Michelle-Lee Ahye and Reyare Thomas, 400m runner Machel Cedenio and 110m hurdler Mikel Thomas. However only Walcott and Phillip were publicly recognised and presented to the public from the balcony of the airport’s atrium. Speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday, TTOC secretary general, Brian Lewis, deemed the occurrence as unfortunate and disappointing and said the TTOC accepts full responsibility for what transpired, and has issued a public apology to the athletes and their families for their public non-recognition at the reception. “The TTOC is the one responsible for the athletes and all the team members. I think everyone was just overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotions towards our gold medallist Keshorn and all the celebrations and focus were really directed towards him which is very understandable, and also Njisane who really set London alive.”

    Lewis stated that problems in communication took place at the airport which led to Walcott and Phillip only being presented to the audience. “This is not the first time a ceremony like this has been organised. There are people in the TTOC, the Ministry (of Sport) and the sport company (of T&T) who know the protocols and have experience in organising these kinds of things but, somewhere along the lines of communication things did not go according to plan. “Upon the arrival of the flight, Walcott and Phillips were taken into the VIP Lounge where they had a state meeting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Sport. I was advised that the other athletes were later taken to the VIP lounge as well. But when it was time to make the transition from the lounge to the balcony, that’s where the miscommunication occurred and I think that could have been handled better. How the instructions were given to the athletes at that transition point were not given priority.”
    Lewis blames no one for the mishap, and affirmed his confidence in administrating officials, “Based on experiences in the past we have worked with very competent individuals in the sport company who we have a high measure of trust and confidence in, and I can categorically say that they paid attention to every detail. It’s just that transition was not properly communicated. It is not unreasonable that certain individuals might have gotten caught up in all the emotions surrounding Keshorn and Njisane. I mean Keshorn went out there and stunned the whole world and Njisane also surprised many by coming fourth in the match sprint and seventh in the keirin. So whatever happened in the outpouring of emotions was totally unintended.
    By Shernice Thomas
    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    President of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) Ephraim Serrette says Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott failed to receive any recognition in the past despite his success at regional and international competitions. Walcott, 19, won Olympic gold in the men’s javelin event, throwing 84.5 metres on Saturday. He is a three-time winner in the Under-20 javelin throw at the Carifta Games, setting a new North, Central American and Caribbean Junior record in 2012. He improved this record on May with a 80.11-metre heave in Havana.

    Walcott was rewarded for his Olympic throw with promises of a $2.5 million house in Federation Park, St James, 20,000 square feet of land in Toco, $1 million in cash to invest and a Toco housing development named in his honour upon his return to T&T on Monday. In an interview, Serrette said: “I know something will be done to reward this. He won World Juniors and no one made anything of it. He won in an event noted for being dominated by European countries since 1952.”

    He said there were other events in track and field to consider. “We have introduced a multi-events champion and we get to expose them to run, jump and throw and to do away with the notion that it is only sprints. We are seeing athletes turning to other events. We need to have the resources and funding,” he said.

    Serrette said the Government should have a policy across the board for winners of separate medals. He added: “It should be more of a policy in a structured manner that if you win gold, you would win x or y. It would be equal across the board. The support staff should be commended and they are always there and no one sees beyond their performance and we have to put things in place. It is a team effort.

    Serrette said he hoped Walcott would be an inspiration to other athletes. “The hard work, commitment and belief should inspire other athletes to do well. There were others in that group and some had the same commitment and belief and would be in a similar position. They might wake up now and commit and do the work required to be at this juncture,” he said. Serrette said the Olympic Committee was funded by the Government but a plan was also needed.

    He added: “We benefit from that but we need to chart the way forward and plan a strategy for the next year. We need to work collectively. I am giving back to the sport and happy to do that. I am trying to do things through the eyes of a former athlete. It is about Trinidad and Tobago.” Tansley Thompson, uncle of 2008 Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson, a bronze medallist in the 4X100m relay in London, who is also a boxing promoter, said he hoped the Government would come through on its promises.

    “I am sceptical and I want to know if the promises will be kept. My concern is that he won gold... tremendous (but) what about the others?” he asked. Thompson said the idea of naming an aircraft after Walcott was not feasible. He was referring to a Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft which is to be named in Walcott’s honour. “To me that is not sustainable. It had several like that in the past and they were flying for a few years and after it was out of service.

    By Camille Clarke

    Source: www.guardian.co.tt

    Trinidad and Tobago's Cleopatra Borel is  an official London 2012 Finalist following  disqualification of Belarus gold medalist for failed drug test. Borel was denied the opportunity to contest for an Olympic medal. " It highlights why drug taking cheats should be banned for life. Honest athletes are denied their just due. Changing the results after the fact is not enough." said TTOC secretary general Brian Lewis.

    http://m.london2012.com/athletics/event=athletics-women-shot-put/phase=atw051900/

    A public apology is extended to London 2012 Olympians  Michelle-Lee Ahye (4 x 100 women's relay finalist), Mikel Thomas, Reyare Thomas , Machel Cedenio  for what transpired during the welcome reception at the VIP Lounge at the Piarco Airport .

    Your sterling efforts during the London 2012 campaign. Your commitment and contribution to the harmony, togetherness , team spirit  and Trinidad and Tobago's historic London 2012 performance were exemplary.

    There were difficult and happy moments, tears of joy and sorrow. Through it all the harmony and team spirit did not waiver.

    The collective joy and support for Keshorn Walcott , all the medalists and finalists were genuine and sincere.

    As such any embarrassment that may have been endured by you and your family is regretted.

    Keshorn created history and his achievements are deserving of the highest commendation and accolades. It is understandable that given the outpouring of emotion and celebrations that unintended situations may occur.

    Once again an  unreserved apology is extended.

    Brian Lewis

    Secretary General

    TTOC

    The Olympic flag touched down on Brazilian soil, marking the start of four years of preparations ahead of the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

    Rio mayor Eduardo Paes waved the five-ringed flag as he and other officials disembarked from the flight that brought them back from London, where they attended the Games' closing ceremony on Sunday.

    Speaking at a packed news conference at Rio's Tom Jobim international airport, Mr Paes called it an "important moment" for Rio and for Brazil at large.

    He promised the Games would leave a vast legacy for Rio, the beachside metropolis that suffered from decades of neglect after it lost national capital status to Brasilia in 1960.

    "I see the arrival of this Olympic flag as not the start, but the consolidation of an important process of transformation for the city of Rio de Janeiro," he said.

    "Rio is a city that spent the lion's share of its history, much more time than it should have, looking towards the past. I'm sure that this process of transformation, this turning toward the future, has been consolidated here."

    Mr Paes said the most important effects of the Olympics "are sometimes, many times, the intangible transformations, the impalpable ones related to the brand of a country, the brand of a city, with the self-esteem of a country".

    But a handful of demonstrators gathered outside the airport to protest against expulsions connected with Olympic projects and others tied to the 2014 soccer World Cup, which Brazil is also hosting.

    The Popular Committee for the World Cup and Olympics, which organised the protest, says as many as 170,000 people risk being removed from their homes, or already have been removed, due to projects related to the two mega-events.

    The group says some 4,000 people living in the so-called Vila Autodromo, where the Olympic Park is to be built, are facing expulsion. Activists have complained of a lack of consultation between the government and the affected communities and also of low compensation paid out to those kicked out of their homes.

    Asked about the government's plan was for the residents of Vila Autodromo, Mr Paes said nothing would be done without extensive consultations.

    "No-one is going to throw anyone out of anywhere ... without there being an alternative," he said. "The people will only leave there with lots of consultations, with lots of discussion, with lots of respect."

    He added that some of those opposed to the evictions were people "who are always railing against the government. That's why things were paralysed for so long. They don't want anything to happen here".

    The Olympic flag, made out of silk for the 1988 games in Seoul, South Korea, will be temporarily housed in the City Hall and will be open to viewings by visitors.

    AP

    Source: www.independent.co.uk

    New Zealand has won its sixth gold medal of the Olympics after Valerie Adams' rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk tested positive for drugs and was stripped of gold.

    The dramatic development occurred just hours after the curtain came down on the 30th Olympiad in London.

    Ostapchuk tested positive test for metenolone, an anabolic agent.

    The result means the 27-year-old Adams has won gold at successive Olympics. It lifts
    New Zealand one place on the medal table to 15th, ahead of Cuba and is our second best gold haul, just behind the eight of Los Angeles in 1984.

    New Zealand's total medal haul of 13 equals the country's best ever, achieved at the Seoul games of 1988.

    On Tuesday morning, Adams finished second behind Ostapchuk, her throw of 20.7m well behind the Belarusian's 21.36m.

    Adams was driving to coach Jean-Pierre Egger's house in Switzerland when she heard the news she was again the Olympic champion. "I just burst into tears," she said early today. "I fell into JP's arms and we shared the moment. It's a lot for me to take in at the moment."

    Of her rival, Adams said she was "history". "My feeling is I don't want to waste any energy on her. I just want to enjoy the moment."

    Adams said she had noticed the extraordinary throws Ostapchuk had thrown before the Olympics, "but I never wanted to assume. Other people have made comments about how she looks and how she throws".

    The New Zealander hit out at Ostapchuk's unveiling as a drugs cheat. "It is also encouraging for those athletes like myself who are proud to compete cleanly that the system works and doping cheats are caught."

    Adams admitted she felt robbed by the fact that the people she cares about did not get the chance to see her on the top step of the podium and hear the New Zealand anthem.

    Her Olympic campaign was clouded by an administrative error that saw her name missing from the official start list. Only an 11th-hour intervention by the NZ Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) enabled Adams to attempt to defend the title she won in Beijing.

    Adams said the bungle messed with her head and she threw poorly during the final.

    Intriguingly, Egger offered an enigmatic appraisal of Ostapchuk's performance, saying he "would prefer to remain silent".

    The implication was that something was amiss about the Belarusian's rapid improvement. It was the first time she had beaten Adams in nearly two years.

    Ostapchuk, 31, was first tested by urine sample the day before competition and again straight after the final. Both samples showed up the presence of metenolone.

    The drug is a long-acting anabolic steroid, which boosts cellular tissue in muscles and stimulates male characteristics. It is taken orally or through injection.

    Late last night, the Wikipedia entry for the drug was already saying it was the preferred anabolic of Nadzeya Ostapchuk.

    Adams' New Zealand teammates were ecstatic when they learned she would get the gold after all.

    "Everyone cried - it was pretty emotional," said Annalie Longo, a member of the women's football team, as she left the athletes village. "We're just so happy, she worked so hard and she totally deserved the gold medal."

    She expressed regret that Adams had not been able to receive the gold medal at the victory ceremony.

    "We feel cheated in a way, not being able to play the anthem and having taken the moment off her," Longo said.

    Brett Addison, sport manager at Athletics New Zealand, said the gold medal was fantastic news for Adams and justification of her rating as the top shot-putter in the world.

    He said Ostapchuk's vast improvement from last June, when Adams beat her by more than one metre, had raised some questions.

    "She went back to Belarus and had some amazing throws, so there were some questions raised then. But unless an athlete tests positive you can't really say anything."

    New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Kereyn Smith said Adams' honour was well deserved. She added that New Zealand athletes were proud to compete cleanly on the world's stage.

    The chef de mission of the New Zealand team, Dave Currie, said the news was wonderful and he was very proud of Adams.

    The IOC Disciplinary Commission disqualified Ostapchuk, withdrew her medal and asked the IAAF to change the result.

    The silver medal now goes to Russian Evgeniia Kolodko and the bronze to Lijiao Gong of China.

    During the Games, the IOC carried out tests on the top five finishers in each event, plus two others at random. Around 3800 urine and 1200 blood samples were taken.

    Nine athletes returned positive tests, but only Ostapchuk has been stripped of a medal.

    By Andrew Alderson, David Leggat and Dylan Cleaver

    Source: www.nzherald.co.nz

    A $2.5 million Federation Park, St James, home; 20,000 square feet of land in Toco; $1 million cash and a Toco Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing development named in his honour. Those were some of the rewards bestowed upon 19-year-old Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott, yesterday upon his return to Trinidad after his participation in the 2012 London Olympics which ended on Sunday. The gifts were announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she addressed thousands of citizens who packed the atrium at Piarco International Airport to welcome Walcott and several members of the national contingent home. Persad-Bissessar said: “Keshorn will shine as a beacon of light to the young people of the nation.” She was flanked by Walcott on her right and T&T’s first Olympic gold medalist, Hasely Crawford, on the left, and revealed Government’s rewards for the 19-year-old Toco resident, who entered the record books on Saturday when he became the youngest Olympic javelin champion in history.

    On Saturday, in front of a capacity crowd at London’s Olympic Stadium, Walcott’s 84.58 metres javelin toss edged his closest rival, Ukrainian Oleksandr Pyatnytsya. Persad-Bissessar said that as a result of Walcott’s achievement the Toco lighthouse — a landmark in the community and in T&T — would be renamed the Keshorn Walcott Toco Lighthouse. A Caribbean Airline Boeing 737 aircraft would also be named in his honour, Persad- Bissessar said. The aircraft is expected to be repainted by the end of this week. This has not been the first time an aircraft has been named after a local athlete. A similar accolade was bestowed upon Crawford following his gold medal triumph at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada. Persad-Bissessar also said a HDC development will be constructed in the Toco area which would provide housing and employment for residents. Construction of the development, which will comprise of more than 100 units, is expected to begin by as early as next January after the completion of a tendering process and other preparatory works. Walcott, a student, also will be given a scholarship to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where he will participate in the university’s elite sporting programme.

    Yesterday’s festivities started well before 6 am for most of the attendees who arrived early to catch a glimpse of Walcott and several of other local Olympic athletes, who arrived on the same flight. They were heeding the call of Persad- Bissessar who urged citizens to attend yesterday’s ceremony to welcome home Walcott and the other Olympians, including cyclist Njisane Phillip. Persad-Bissessar also announced on Sunday night she had advised acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith to declare yesterday a public holiday. Scores of Walcott’s family members and neighbours arrived at the airport from Toco, via four chartered Public Transportation Service Corporation (PTSC) buses. The vocal fans had to wait patiently after they learned that the athletes’ flight, which was originally scheduled to land at 9.45 am, was delayed by an hour. The fans, who were dressed in the national colours, were thoroughly entertained by several tassa, steelpan groups and rhythm sections who repeatedly belted out various local compositions, much to their delight. Thousands of miniature T&T flags were distributed by the organisers of yesterday’s welcome programme.

    Shortly after 11 am, Walcott greeted the crowd from the balcony of the atrium. Deafening screams of joy echoed throughout the airport, signalling the arrival of the 19-year-old, described by many as an inspiration to the nation. With a toothy grin, Walcott waved to his adoring fans as he displayed the glistening Olympic gold medal that hung from his neck. In his brief address to the crowd, Walcott thanked his parents and two brothers that stood proudly at his side. “Thanks for the support T&T... I did my best,” a soft-spoken Walcott said. Several Government Ministers who were present also extended congratulations to Walcott. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, in an interview, described Walcott as the ideal role model for the youths of T&T.

    By Derek Achong

    Source: www.guardian.co.tt