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Former national football captain Dwight Yorke wants to see some pride restored in local football and is hoping that the Football Federation can resolve some of the issues currently plaguing the progress of this country on the international football stage. Yorke was speaking in Barbados on the weekend where he led Manchester United to the British Airways Legends title at the Kensington Oval.  He teamed up with Andy Cole to help United defeat Chelsea in the final as well as a semi-final win over the Caribbean All Stars which included the likes of Russell Latapy, Stern John, Dennis Lawrence, Clayton Ince, Dion Burton and Paul Hall. “It’s very sad to see where football is at this point in time.


There are a lot of issues going on with the Federation and they need to sort it out,” Yorke said. The ex-Aston Villa marksman said it was undoubtedly disappointing to see T&T out of the World Cup picture so early in the 2014 campaign particularly after appearing on the big stage in 2006. Yorke is currently a Manchester United ambassador and an analyst for Sky Sports. He has been a member of the United Reserve team coaching staff while also completing some of his coaching badges.


He maintained he would be willing to contribute to the development of local football at some stage. “I’m now part of the Sky Sports team as well as an ambassador for Manchester United and also doing completing some more coaching badges. I’m just keeping active and enjoying what I’m doing at the moment. “I’ve been very grateful for Trinidad football for many years. It’s been part of me and I’ve been very fortunate to play a role and learn so much in the game. I feel with my experience and knowledge I have gained over the years that I can always contribute something back to the Football Federation. “My name will be mentioned because of what I have done and maybe one day that opportunity will come along where I will step back in in terms of contributing and giving back something to the football. It would be rude of me not to really consider it if it was to happen. At the moment where our football is, some issues need to be resolved before we can even get to that,” Yorke added.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

2015 Rugby World Cup

The national 15s ruggers have found themselves in a must-win situation against Trinidad and Tobago on June 2 to qualify for the next round of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Regional Qualifiers for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The Guyanese took on hosts Barbados on Saturday last in a game that ended in a 10-all draw at the Garrison Savannah. Both countries failed to capitalize on their conversions after scoring two tries each, and walked away with two points apiece from the match.
Newly elected president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union, Colonel John Lewis, who served as Manager of the team, related the Guyanese made a brave attempt to surge ahead after the scores were level, but their efforts proved futile. “After we scored in the 70th minute, the game went on to 80 minute plus a bit on injury time, and we were, in that period, always in the Barbados try-line, but we just couldn’t get that ball over and put it down properly. So we were in an all out mode of attack, but I guess it was just bad luck,” Lewis said at the press briefing yesterday.
Barbados opened the scoring in the 25th minute, but 14 minutes later, Rodwell Hutson equalized for Guyana. With the scores leveled at 5-5 at the half, Barbados grabbed the advantage with a try in the 55th minute to move 10-5 up, but the Guyanese drew level through a try from Ryan Hinckson in the 70th minute.
Head Coach Theodore Henry said he is proud of the players, despite them not leaving the island with a victory in the bag.
“As you may be aware, we were missing a few key players, most notably in the three-quarter line, we were missing Claudius Butts and [Kevin] McKenzie. So I could safely say that we were fielding an inexperienced team and it showed up in the game,” he explained.
Despite not getting the desired result, Henry believed there were a few bright spots for Guyana. “Some of the positives that I would take out would be the fact that the forwards that usually are the weaker part of our team in 15s rugby have proven to be the strength and foundation of the team right now, and those in the three-quarter line are playing catch-up with the forwards right now, so it’s heartening to see the big guys playing some superb rugby.”

The Guyanese will square off with Trinidad and Tobago on June 2 in a must-win game at the National Stadium, Providence. As part of preparations for that game, the ruggers will be involved in a practice match on Saturday from 11:00 hours at the same venue.
According to Henry, the Guyana team is expected to be at full strength for the Trinidad and Tobago game, as a number of key players, including Butts, Richard Staglon and Ronald Mayers, have indicated their availability for the crucial encounter.

-Avenash Ramzan

Source: www.guyanatimesgy.com

Cricket Holdings America, a joint venture between New Zealand Cricket and the United States of America Cricket Association, has announced the appointment of TSE Consulting to assist with its plans to initiate a Twenty20 cricket league in North America.

The international sports consulting company has been appointed to deliver the host city selection process and the development of facility specifications, together with PROS Consulting, the US-based management and planning consultancy.

The formation of the league is the culmination of two years of collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), whose support has ensured that the right foundations are in place for the development of a successful venture. The focus is to combine cricket with entertainment to create a fan-centric experience and bolster the 50,000-strong and growing active competitor base in the US.

Currently, the only ICC-sanctioned cricket facility in the US is located in Broward County, Florida, where TSE has assisted in the development of a business plan for the facility. The development of new facilities and use of temporary venues are a part of the plans for growing the game and staging a league. An aggressive programme to identify franchise locations in major North American markets will be underway shortly.

Keith Wyness, CEO of Cricket Holding America, said: “We have taken time to put all the pieces in place for a successful league that will be a lasting addition to the sports industry in North America. We look forward to announcing the cities that will host teams in the near future and the development of new cricket facilities throughout America. We are delighted to be working with TSE and PROS whose combined knowledge of host cities and facility development is the perfect fit for us.”

Dale Neuburger, director of TSE Consulting – North America, added: “The new league will be a great addition to the American sports landscape. Keith Wyness and the CHA team have provided the vision and expertise to support rapid growth in the popularity of cricket in North America, and TSE is honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the city identification and facility development process.”

-Matt Cutler

Source: www.sportbusiness.com

T&T’s Christian Homer will be in action when the 45th Santa Clara International Invitational Swim Meet splashes off at the George F Haines International Swim Centre, Santa Clara, California. Homer, who last competed two weeks ago at the Charlotte Ultra Swim is expected to compete in the men’s 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke events. In the 100m freestyle, he is seeded 80th with a time of 53.22 seconds while for the other events he has a seeding of 30th (100m butterfly—55.31 secs); 85th (50m freestyle—20.58 secs) and 19th (100m backstroke—56.86 secs)

Last month, at the Charlotte Ultra Swim Meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Centre, Homer had a fourth-place finish in the men’s 50m backstroke ‘B’ final in 26.82, well behind winner Freston Jenkins (26.64) and Aaron Gustafson and Kevin Doak, who both clocked, 26.73. In the morning heats, Homer, who is attached to Bolles High School in Florida was the tenth fastest in 26.83 seconds while he clocked 58.31 seconds for 63rd spot in the 100m butterfly. In addition, Homer was 31st in the 100m backstroke in 59.02 seconds and 33rd in the 50m butterfly in 26.43 seconds.

-Nigel Simon

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Coach Larry Mendez closed off T&T’s preparations for their World Cup rugby qualifier with an intense session yesterday, at King George V Park. The team focused on game management in defence and attack. “We started at 8 am and the guys responded well.” A 22-man squad was selected on Tuesday and Mendez said he was happy to see the effort and enthusiasim of some of the players who weren’t selected. “It’s a team effort. The attitude among the guys is great. They are as ready as could be.”


T&T take on Guyana in an all or nothing qualifier at the National Stadium, Providence, Georgetown, Guyana on Saturday.
The Calypso Warriors will travel to Guyana tomorrow. One change has been made to the team that beat Barbados 32-3 two weeks ago, at the St Mary’s College Grounds. Royalian’s centre Kelson Figaro has been recalled and will replace Andrew Taylor who has returned to University in the UK. Rugby chairman of the selectors and team manager Curtis Nero has expressed confidence that the team is fit and prepared.
“The young players have made strong claims for selection. However, given the crucial nature of the encounter, we felt we needed a mix of experience and youth. We expect a close-fought and physical battle. Guyana are at home and in a must win situation. They beat us by two points last year in our backyard. We are up for the fight this year.”


Team

Forwards: John Hill (Harvard), Miguel Lara (Caribs), Ernest Wright (Caribs), Adam Frederick (v capt)(Trinidad Northern), Jamal Clark (Caribs), Keishon Walker (Tobago), Wayne Kelly (Harvard/UTT), Rowell Gordon (Harvard), Felician Guerra (Royalians), Jason Joesph (Police), Jesse Richards (UWI), Kurt Quashie (Caribs)

Backs: Jonathan O'Connor (capt) (Northern), Don Rojas (Caribs), Joseph Quashie (Harvard/UTT), Jason Clark (Caribs), Agboola Silverthorn (Rainbow), James Phillip (Royalians), Justin McLean (Trinidad Northern), Tariq Cheekes (Harvard/Fatima), Kelson Figaro (Royalians) and Daryl Scott (Rainbow).

Head Coach: Larry Mendez
Asst Coach: Dale Trotman
Trainer: Derek Ashby
Team Manager: Curtis Nero

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Olympic hopeful Jehue Gordon will compete in the men’s 400m hurdles at Rome Leg of the IAAF Diamond League later today. In the Italian capital Gordon will face the world’s best one lap hurdles including the current World champion David Greene (Great Britain), former World champions Bershawn Jackson (USA), Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic) and last year’s winner LJ Van Zyl (South Africa).


Gordon will be aiming at improving his season’s best of 48.89 set in finishing second to two-time World Championships silver Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) at the Ponce Grand Prix on May 12 where Culson won in a world leading time of 48.00. The 2010 World Junior champion will be seeking to improve on his fifth place finish in last year’s race when he clocked 49.09. The UWI Sports Management student will also be hoping to get his first win of the season after his runner up finishes to Jackson at the Jamaican Invitational on May 5 and to another Puerto Rican Eric Alejandro at the Falcon Games on March 31. 


Gordon has already attained the Olympic Games A standard in the 400m hurdles of 49.50 and is expected to represented T&T at the London Olympic Games carded for July 27 to August 12. The former Belmont Boys/QRC student is one of 29 local athletes who have made Olympic qualifying marks and will all be in action at next month’s Sagicor Open National Championships which will serve as this country’s Olympic trials.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Chuck Blazer, the whistle-blower who reported corruption within Fifa last year, may have acted unlawfully over a multi-million dollar TV rights contract, according to lawyers acting for the football confederation he still represents.

Confidential memos - obtained by BBC Sport - from lawyers acting for Concacaf, the organisation that runs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean - allege that Blazer is attempting to claim more than $7m (£4.5m) in unpaid commissions for TV rights and sponsorship deals.

It also alleges that Blazer - a member of Fifa's all powerful executive committee - was paid "a basic monthly fee" of at least $10,000 (£6,400) per month under the terms of a deal struck in 1994 with former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, who was the then president of Concacaf.

Blazer's deal with Warner granted commissions of 10% - known as an "override fee" - on all sponsorship and TV rights deals negotiated by the American, through his company Sportvertising.

The initial deal between Concacaf and Sportvertising expired in 1998. However the arrangement between both parties continued on after that date.

Concacaf confirmed last week that commissions and salary for Blazer equalled between $4m (£2.5m) and $5m (£3.2m) last year.

But the football federation now appears ready to robustly challenge any legal claim for the unpaid commissions by Blazer.

The memo, drawn up by the New York law firm King & Spalding, advises that the contract agreed between Warner and Blazer in 1994 could potentially be challenged along with any obligation to make payments.

King & Spalding provide an overview of Concacaf's potential legal claims, although they also warn that the advice is given "based on our limited information of the facts, as we have not reviewed Concacaf files or interviewed its personnel".

Significantly, the legal advice from King & Spalding, given to Concacaf on 6 December 2011, argues the agreement between Blazer and Warner could be construed as "fraud in the execution".

To do so the lawyers state that "... Concacaf must show excusable ignorance of the contents of the agreement. This argument is only available to Concacaf if it demonstrates that Blazer and Warner kept the agreement secret and never disclosed its terms to Concacaf. As with other fraud claims, this will require an intensive factual inquiry".

These latest allegations come just days after a meeting in Budapest where Concacaf's legal counsel, John Collins, told confederation delegates attending Fifa's annual Congress that the organisation has reported itself to US authorities after failing to file tax returns for several years.

When contacted by BBC Sport over the contents of the confidential memos, Blazer declined to comment, stating he wished to seek guidance on the issue first.

But speaking last week in response to the revelations over Concacaf's tax affairs, he defended his record as general secretary saying: "I spent 21 years building the confederation and its competitions and its revenues and I'm the one responsible for its good levels of income.

"I'm perfectly satisfied that I did an excellent job. I think this is a reflection of those who were angry at me having caused the action against Warner.

"This is also a reaction by people who have their own agenda. I now have to consider what my options are but to say the least I am very disappointed."

King & Spalding's memo also advises Concacaf the contract could be argued as voidable with Blazer and Warner in violation of their "fiduciary duties to Concacaf".

Similarly they lay out how it may be possible for Concacaf to show that the contract "is void or voidable because Jack Warner did not have the authority to enter into the agreement on Concacaf's behalf".

In response to the memo, Warner told BBC Sport: "At no point have I ever acted fraudulently with Mr Blazer nor have I ever knowingly violated my duties to Concacaf."

The legal advice goes on to point out how the contract between Blazer and Concacaf expired in 1998 and that, even if the agreement was valid, it could be possible to argue that no money is owed for "any contracts entered into after 1998".

However, in a follow-up briefing to four members of Concacaf's executive committee - also obtained by BBC Sport - John Collins warns that existing precedent in New York case law "will be problematic for Concacaf" in winning any potential action involving Blazer.

The advice is put forward on the belief that Blazer may potentially argue that, after the expiration of the original contract, a new contract was created based solely on the conduct of both parties. Such deals are known as "implied in fact" contracts under New York law.

According to the Collins memo, Blazer is seeking compensation for three deals he negotiated. He has yet to launch any formal legal action over the unpaid commissions.

Specifically, Collins alleges in the memo that Blazer is trying to claim $7.15m in separate commissions. This is made up of $5.2m relating to the broadcast rights for the 2013 to 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, $700,000 for the expected net ticket revenues for the 2013 Gold Cup and $1.25m for authorising "teams from the Concacaf region to participate in the Copa Libertadores", South America's premier club cup competition.

The legal memos graphically demonstrate the internecine war at the top of the confederation as the fall-out from the corruption scandal that tainted last year's Fifa presidential election, which was eventually won by Sepp Blatter, continues.

Blazer reported Warner and former Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam to Fifa's ethics committee in May last year, following allegations that financial incentives were offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union at a meeting in Trinidad.

Warner subsequently resigned from all his positions in international football last June after being suspended by Fifa pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Following Warner's resignation, Fifa said the ethics committee case against him was closed and the "presumption of innocence is maintained".

Bin Hammam, who continues to deny the allegations, was then banned from football for life by Fifa in August. His case is currently under appeal at the Court for Arbitration in Sport.

In a separate development BBC Sport has also learned that two apartments, worth $800,000, located in Miami's exclusive South Beach district were purchased under Blazer's guidance in May 2010.

It is understood Concacaf's executive committee did not discuss their purchase. The apartments were bought - and registered - through Concacaf Marketing & Television - a wholly owned, Florida-based subsidiary of Concacaf.

Concacaf delegates last week voted to have Blazer removed from Fifa's executive committee but failed to get their motion added to the Fifa Congress agenda in sufficient time to gain its required approval.

-Richard Conway

Source:www.bbc.co.uk

Crime and criminal activity are at intolerable proportions—throw in the high level of corruption and white collar crimes that go unpunished. One can only wonder if here in T&T we are on the verge of moral anarchy. Nepotism, cronyism, clientelism, rent seeking, favouritism, kickbacks and embezzlement are all forms of corruption, as is kleptocracy and large scale corruption where those with political connections unfairly gain large wealth. The construct of centralised power and authority rather than the principle of subsidiarity fuel corruption and its myriad forms. The definition of corruption is broad but its effect is singular, whether proven or an assumed fact. Whether our leaders make the right calls on crime, public spending, the economic and fiscal strategy, education reform, or not will determine the future of our country for the next decade or more and shape the kind of society we want to be. Far from learning from history we seem bent on repeating the mistakes of our history as dissenting voices are silenced or ignored.

We must learn from mistakes of policymaking, economic and political misjudgements. Adopting the consensus view may be the safe and easy thing to do, but it does not make it the right thing to do. We can ill afford to have a narrow view, vision or interests. Given a multiplicity of competing visions and interests, it rests to those in charge to alter the focus from the current status quo to the future of our country and society. Corruption here has created a moral hazard and the tolerance of those who are corrupt and or corruptible has intensified the moral hazard. Recently Karl Hudson-Phillip, QC, in an address at the AGM of Transparency International, made the point that since 1973 he has sought to articulate the dangers of accepting, tolerating and condoning corruption. Forty years hence, diagnosing the real problems and proposing a path forward appear insurmountable.
Corruption diverts time, money and energy. It institutionalizes inefficiency and waste. Sport has suffered at the hands of corruption. Our young sportsmen and women are paying the price. While the argument that there will always be corruption and crime is repeatedly made. It ought not to mean that we should tolerate and turn a blind eye or should fear the consequences of whistle blowing.

Stop rationalising and making heroes and role models of those who we know, even if it cannot be proven, to be corrupt. Maybe corruption itself is neither helpful nor hurtful. It’s our response to it that can either help or hurt. Corruption cannot be a way of life and the damage corruption inflicts goes unheeded as the material benefits are amassed. It affects the poorest the most but everyone even those who are corrupt experience the negative consequences of corruption. Available literature on corruption in Africa and Asia and the efforts to fight it are instructive. The damage inflicted on nations in the African continent should serve as a warning. Recently I was reading about the corruption in India and the groundswell of anti-corruption efforts by a fed up civil society to address the issue. Reports indicate that since its independence in 1947 India has lost more than 400 billion dollars to illegal transfers with the current annual estimates alleged to be 20 billion. Of all the solutions proposed to deal with corruption, the most powerful one was individual and personal responsibility as a starting point beginning with the question “am I incorruptible?" Winning the battle against corruption should count for something.

-Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Michelle-Lee Ahye dominated the sprints at the inaugural President’s Track and Field Classic, winning both the Women’s 100 and 200 metres events at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road, yesterday. The unattached Ahye, who was expected to fare as one of the top competitors at the event, finished the 200m race just over a second faster than her nearest challenger, Peli Alzola, in an impressive time of 23.13 seconds. Alzola of Memphis Pioneers and third placed Dana Massiah (Concorde) finished in 24.14 and 24.16 seconds, respectively. Ahye, 20, also took the 100m sprint in 11.41 seconds, this time edging her more seasoned opponent in Concorde’s Ayanna Hutchinson (11.53). Kamaria Durant from Simplex finished in 11.79 seconds.


In the Men’s 100m Dash, another Simplex representative and a favourite in 19-year-old Moriba Morain took first place in a time of 10.22 seconds, ahead of Raymond Campbell (Jaguars) and Morain’s club-mate Joel Dillon, who finished in 10.32 and 10.42 seconds. Spartans’ Nicholas Patterson clocked in at 21.69 to cop the Men’s 200m title. In the 400m dash, Abilene Wildcats’ Hendrix Foncette sped to a first in 49.25 seconds, in a very tight finish which saw him pip  Akile Farrell-Jones (Quantum) and a much more senior Sherman Kirk (Concorde) in 49.38 and 50.41 second, respectively. Seventeen-year-old Elie Daniel impressively took the gruelling 5,000m run in 18 minutes 15.64 seconds.


Unfortunately,  spectators were unable to see crowd-favourite, top T&T middle distance runner Jehue Gordon. Gordon was expected to feature in the men’s 400m run, but pulled out due to his participation at the Golden Gala meet, being held in Rome, Italy, on Thursday. He is scheduled to leave for Rome, tomorrow. The President’s Classic was made as a replacement event for the cancelled Hampton International Games which was originally scheduled for the past weekend.


Selective results from president’s classic

100 metres Men
1 Moriba Morain, Simplex- 10.22    
2 Raymond Campbell, Jaguars (T’go)- 10.32
3 Joel Dillon, Simplex- 10.42
Women
1 Michelle Lee Ahye, unattached- 11.41    
2 Ayanna Hutchinson, Concorde-11.53      
3 Kamaria Durant, Simplex-11.79      

Boys U-20  
1 Jesse Berkley, Simplex- 10.90       
2 Machel Mark, Quantum- 11.07       
3 Kyle  Bacchus,  Memphis Pioneers- 11.15    

Boys U-18                                                                  
1 Jamal Bridges, Petrotrin Palo Seco- 11.18  
2 Declan  McLean, Simplex- 11.23     
3 Kadeem Campbell, Memphis Pioneers- 11.25     

Girls U-18
1 Aaliyah Telesford, P/Fortin N/Jets- 11.85
2 Kayelle Clarke, Pet P.A.P- 12.21
3 Janae Alexander, Memphis Pioneers- 12.32    
200 Metres: Men
1 Nicholas Patterson, Spartans- 21.69
2 Stephwan Solomon, Rebirth- 21.86
3 Darren  Nelson, UWI- 21.89

Women  
1 Michelle Lee Ahye, unattached- 23.13
2 Peli Alzola, Memphis Pioneers- 24.14
3 Dana Massiah, Concorde- 24.16

Boys U-20
1 Machel Cedenio, unattached- 21.23
2 Jonathan Holder, Concorde- 21.60
3 Oudoo Hazel, Mustangs- 22.39

Boys U-18
1 Edwin Phillip, Concorde- 22.60
2 Jordhan Joseph, Humming Bird- 22.80
3 Alexander Prevatt, Memphis Pioneers- 22.89  

Girls U-18
1 Aaliyah Telesford, P Fortin New Jets- 24.22
2 Kayelle Clarke, Pet PAP- 24.61
3 Tsianne Joseph, Memphis Pioneers- 24.64

1500 Metres: Men
1 Kendis Bullard, Petrotrin Palo Seco- 4:06.93
2 Jules La Rode, Penal AC- 4:09.05
3 Shirvan baboolal, UWI- 4:17.41

Women
1 Dawnel Collymore, Memphis Pioneers- 4:52.65

Boys U-18  
1 Nicholas Landeau, Air Bon Sonics- 4:16.34
2 Jevon Joseph, Air Bon Sonics- 4:16.45
3 Isaiah Mapp, Air Bon Sonics- 4:30.55

Girls U-18  
1 Donicia Antoine, Toco TAFAC- 5:24.66

Hurdles 110 Boys U-20
1 Wayne Bonaparte Jr, P Fortin New Jets- 15.59

Girls U-20  
1 Jeminise Sade Parris, Memphis Pioneers- 14.17
2 Shahweh Arthur, Zenith- 15.21
3 Ayana Glasgow, Toco TAFAC- 15.42

Boys U-18
1st Ruebin Walters, Memphis Pioneers- 13.70
2 Christian Hood-Boyce, Concorde- 14.69
3 Aaron Lewis, Zenith- 14.88

800 Metres
1 Kendis Bullard, Petrotrin Palo Seco- 1:55.05
2 Edward Nelson, Quantum- 1:57.39
3 Jules La Rode, Penal AC- 2:02.12

Boys U-20
1 Travis Diaz, Penal AC- 1:58.96
2 Tyler Francis, Alpha Athletics- 2:03.35
3 Anton McLeod, Genesis- 2:04.44

Women  
1 Kechelle Douglas, Toco TAFAC- 2:32.69

Girls U-18
1 Ishawn Francis, Burnley- 2:24.54
2 Mickayla Ottley, Toco TAFAC- 2:37.28
3 Zaria Harvey, Air Bon Sonics- 2:38.89

High Jump: Women
1 Deandra Daniel, Dovers- 1.70m
2 Jeanelle Ovid, QRC- 1.65m
2 Alisha St Louis, D’Abadie- 1.65m

400m Hurdles: Boys U-18
1 Jameel Joseph, Abilene Wildcats- 57.11  
Boys U-20  
1 Brandon Benjamin, Memphis Pioneers- 52.07        
2 Josiah Burkett, Memphis Pioneers- 56.24

400m Men
1 Hendrix Foncette, Abilene Wildcats- 49.25        
2 Akile Farrell-Jones, Quantum- 49.38         
3 Sherman Kirk, Concorde- 50.41

Women
1 Jessica James, UWI- 55.02        
2 Onika Murray, Quantum- 59.99        
3 Orika Murray, Quantum- 1:00.42

-Andrew Gioannetti

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Similarly I learnt that a cricketer named Len Hutton had scored 364 runs to break a record (whatever that meant!). As I got older and became fascinated with each Olympic Games, more and more did I appreciate the magnificence of Jesse Owens’ achievements and how he and others like swimmer Mark Spitz (1972 Olympics) raised the bar in their particular events and earned Olympic fame forever. Over the years I read articles about Jesse Owens and how he will forever be linked to the criminal mind of Adolf Hitler but the recent black and white 30 minute documentary put the whole saga in perspective. It helped me confirm for the millionth time that God has a plan for each of us. In God’s infinite wisdom He decides to whom He will distribute which talent and identifies the occasions when such talent is put to best use for humanitarian purposes. Countless millenniums ago, God knew how the Jesse Owens story would impact the world in more ways than we can ever imagine. God also knew that in 1976 there would be an interesting follow up when a young man named Hasely Crawford would win the 100m gold medal in Montreal and put a small 2x4 twin island, Trinidad and Tobago, on the world map. How has T&T treated our gold medal winner in his personal life after he brought us international fame and glory? Maybe not as well as we should have done, but seemingly much better that his country treated Jesse Owens. Thank you Hasely Crawford - we are so very proud of you. You are our local version of the great Jesse Owens and luckily you are still with us to enjoy your company and hopefully be allowed to influence our youth. God bless!  This action against Jewish teammates affected Jesse for a long time, saying: “it was very tough on Marty and Sam.” After the Olympics, Avery Brundage insisted on the high profile athletes doing a goodwill tour of Europe but they were paid no money and endured very inferior facilities. In disgust, Jesse quit the tour and was immediately banned and suspended from all recognized meets. Jesse thought that his success on the track would earn him respect in personal life but this did not happen. On the day he returned home, he took his wife to a hotel but could not get a room. All the promised financial offers did not materialize and to survive, he had to resort to the embarrassment and humiliation of running exhibition races against horses at country fairs. By the early 1950s, Jesse Owens had more or less disappeared from view, though in 1956 I believe he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for Sport by President Eisenhower. In 1980, the great, famous, legendary Olympic sprinter/broad jumper/hurdler Jesse Owens died of lung cancer.  As a very young son of a sporting father, all I knew was that someone named Jesse Owens was a famous runner who won many gold medals (whatever that meant!).  Avery Brundage, head of USA Olympic Committee, was against such a boycott and through his efforts any talk of a boycott fizzled. Jesse had no choice because his coach Larry Snider told him “you are going!” On July 25, 1936, 383 USA athletes sailed for Germany and the Games were opened by Hitler with great pomp and ceremony on August 1. In the 100m, to Hitler’s fury, Owens equalled the world record and another black American, Metcalfe finished second. It was Olympic tradition that the head of state of the host nation personally met the winner of 100m as the world’s fastest human, but Hitler refused and said some very uncomplimentary racial comments about the American pair. In the broad (long) jump, Jesse fouled his first and second jump but won the gold medal with a jump of 26’, a record that stood for decades. The German Otto Long (I think!) was a hot favourite to win the broad jump and he and Jesse had a famous fight for gold, but when in the end Jesse was declared the winner, a most remarkable thing happened as both left the podium and walked around arm in arm which of course under Hitler’s rule was “verboten” (forbidden). After Jesse won the 200m, Hitler uttered his famous: “white humanity should be ashamed” comment since Aryan domination at the Olympics had been a national goal. Interestingly, in the USA team for the men’s 4 x 100m relay, two Jews (a race also hated by Hitler) had been selected, but at the last minute, two black Americans, Jesse and Metcalfe replaced them and the team won gold.As we all know, Adolf Hitler was preaching hatred for all races other than the Aryan race which he declared to be “the superior race.” Hitler did not actually want the Olympics to be held in Germany, but his PR ministers persuaded him that the Olympics would be the tool to prove beyond doubt that Aryans were superior and so he agreed. With Hitler’s racial philosophy in mind, USA and Canada had serious thoughts about boycotting Berlin, as did Jesse Owens when he understood what Hitler was all about.  Jesse was already a household name and fell into the rich and famous crowd who feted him to the point where his fitness suffered resulting in his losing several key races he was expected to win. In fact, a guy named Peacock beat Jesse in three important preparatory races and was selected for Berlin but in the end had to miss the Olympics due to injury which allowed Jesse to be rated the top USA sprinter. Jesse’s girlfriend then gave him an ultimatum—come back to her now or it was all over. Jesse returned East and married her the same day!There was an older white man who saw “something special” in Jesse, and often invited him to dinner at his home when he taught him the life skills of courtesy, respect, humility and good table manners which proved more than useful to Jesse in later years when he had to deal with the media on sensitive topics. In time, Larry Snider became his coach and he too had great influence on Jesse’ career, personal development and eventual participation in 1936 Olympics when it seemed a touch and go situation given the racial policies of Adolf Hitler. In 1935, the year before Berlin, Jesse fell down a flight of stairs and injured his back. He also fell in love and fathered a daughter with his girlfriend but left them to go to California for the USA Olympic trials.  His athletic ability was noted early and he won a scholarship to Iowa State University where he eventually became the first black captain of the athletic team.Having been born in 1939, it is not surprising that the names of famous people I remember from my earliest years are: Jesse Owens; Don Bradman; Len Hutton; Denis Compton; Winston Churchill; Adolf Hitler, King George V1; Enrico Caruso and Johann Strauss—a nice mix of sport, politics and music which still dominate my life. Recently, I watched a documentary on perhaps the most famous athlete in history—American sprinter Jesse Owens who won three individual gold medals at 1936 Olympics, and since we will enjoy the 2012 London Olympics in less than three months, it may interesting to remind sport enthusiasts of his story in brief. Jesse Owens was born in Alabama, the youngest of ten children of sharecropper parents.

-Hugh Henderson

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

In the men’s 4x100 heats, Shermund Allsop and Jamol James were on their schools’ qualifying teams. Allsop’s LSU was fourth fastest (39.51) while James paced Tennesse  to  fifth overall (39.66). Ade Alleyne-Forte (LSU) and Emanuel Mayers (Mississippi State) will make the trip to Des Monies after LSU topped the men’s 4X400m heats (3:02.20) with Mississippi State in third (3:04.61). Allsop failed to book a spot in the men’s 200m after he finished in 15th in the quarterfinals in a personal best time of 20.71. He improved on his previous best of 20.85. Robert Collingwood (South Mississippi) was 25th in the men’s shot put qualifiers with a throw of 17.52 (season’s best), missing out on a top 12 spot. Deon Lendore, Zwede Hewitt and Nyoka Giles were on their schools’ relay outfits which were among the qualifiers. Lendore anchored Texas A&M to third place in the men’s 4X400m heats in 3:04.30 with Hewitt’s Baylor in sixth (3:07.17. Lendore ran his leg under 45 seconds.  Giles pushed Minnesota to seventh in the women’s 4X100m qualifiers in 44.43. In the women’s 4X400m event Minnesota was 19th in 3:41.88. Iowa’s Carisa Leacock was 31th in the 31th in the women’s triple jump qualifying round in 12.27. Only the top 12 advanced.  Semoy Hackett was also in ripping form, zooming to a national women’s 200m mark of 22.55 at the NCAA East Regionals, in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday. She achieved the time in winning heat two in the quarterfinals. Hackett broke the old mark of 22.60 set by her Tobagonian colleague Kelly-Ann Baptiste set back in 2009. The mark is well under the Olympic A standard of 23.10 and also betters her previous best of 22.75 which she ran in captured the 2010 NCAA Division two half lap title. In the heats, Hackett clocked 23.05, also an Olympic A time. Kai Selvon finished sixth quickest in the quarters with a season’s best time of 23.01. She also dipped under the Olympic mark. Both returned to help their schools in the 4X100m. LSU was the fastest qualifier in 43.26, with Auburn in sixth (44.18) and Florida International, with T’Keyah Demoy on anchor, in 11th (45.05). The top 12 qualified for the 2012 NCAA Division 1 Championships in Des Moines, Iowa from June 6 to 9.He is now 24th on the World all time listing along with Padgett, Darvis Patton (USA) and Ngonidzashe Makusha of Zimbabwe.     Keston Bledman continued his impressive 2012 season clocking a personal best of 9.89 seconds in the men’s 100m at the Adidas Golden South Classic in Orlando, Florida on Saturday. Bledman improved his previous pb of 9.93 which he ran in 2011. The 2005 World Youth bronze medallist sped to the sensational time in topping the preliminaries but opted out of the finals. Bledman took heat two, ahead of the Jamaican pair of Ramon Mc Kenzie (10.31) and Oshane Bailey (10.32). Another Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade was first to the line in the first heat in 10.01 ahead of USA’s Travis Padgett (10.11). In the finals Ashmeade sped to gold in 9.97. Bledman’s time improves his previous 2012 best of 10.06 and is the sixth quickest of the year behind world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica (9.82), another Jamaican, World Champion Yohan Blake (9.84), American Justin Gatlin (9.87) and Asafa Powell of Jamaica (9.88).

-Clayton Clarke

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Several of Trinidad and Tobago's premier athletes are putting the final touches on their preparations, as they look for glory at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Sprint cyclist Njisane Phillip, track athletes Renny Quow and Michelle-Lee Ahye, and paralympic shotputter Carlos Greene and swimmer Shanntol Ince, gave insights into their lead-up to the games when they were special guests at the BP Trinidad and Tobago Sports and Family Day, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, last Saturday.

"I have been in the country for about a month now," said Phillip, "going through my special training regimen which I will take to another level when I put the final touches on my preparation with my team in the United States. Everything is going as planned and I intend to peak for the games itself."

Quow, who has qualified for the 400 metres, said he is concentrating on improving his finish to deliver a more balanced race.

"I am leaving the country shortly for my base in Florida to put in the rest of the hard work to be at my best for the Olympics."

Phillip, Quow, Ahye and female shot putter Cleopatra Borel, along with Green and Ince are bpTT athlete ambassadors. Energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago is a sponsor of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the T&T Paralympic Committee (TTPC). Parent company BP is the official Oil and Gas Partner of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The athletes, with the exception of Borel who is on special training abroad, took time off from their busy training schedules to interact with scores of bpTT staffers at the company's sports and family day.

BPTT regional president Norman Christie said it was a wonderful opportunity for bpTT personnel and their families to meet "up front and personal" the athletes who are ambassadors not only for the company, but for all of Trinidad and Tobago.

"We at bpTT are proud to be part of this exciting journey which actually goes beyond sport itself. This experience gives real meaning to our core values such as one team, courage and excellence, which have been fully embraced by these young exemplars."

The athletes all stressed that they are extremely proud to represent "the red, white, and black" of Trinidad and Tobago and vowed to do their best to bring back precious metal in their respective events.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Two weeks ago, I wrote about, a “Community Sports Clinic” being held by Altus Health Services Ltd as part of its corporate social responsibility.  It will take place from July 16-20, from 8 am to 2 pm. Centre-stage in this event are two skilled professionals in the realm sports industry: Carlos Salvador Joao, a UK-based Angolan coach and entrepreneur in the field of media and advertising, alongside Trinidadian national, locally based Kamu Laird, also a coach but his profession is as a US-trained clinical psychologist. The team effort that has gone into designing this programme is tremendous. Existing simply as an idea, a concept in our heads, fate would bring us together to design a programme, employing all our skills to create a clinic that would expose children from ages seven to 18 years to an experience like no other. The objective of this clinic is to introduce children to different techniques of athletic development. For a change, the emphasis is not on athletic competition but on athletic development.

For a change, the focus is on musculoskeletal development that will be complimented with neuromuscular development, utilising the skills of two specialists in two different areas of physical and mental development. As we sat together to discuss and hash out ideas and approaches to the programme, it was like Disney magic dust was being sprinkled on us as I sat back at times to witness Carlos and Kamu work together to build out their areas, piggy-backing on each other’s energy.  Although specialists in different areas of sports medicine, they both have experience working with young athletes of all performance levels and talent from the early starter to the very gifted in international settings with both girls and boys. They both really enjoy working with children and youth development is something they are passionate about. Each day a different component will be addressed. There will  be five days and five components and for each component there is the physical as well as the mental training to develop the child as it relates to the component carded for that day.

The conponents will be:
1. Mechanics of Movement
2. Explosive Feet
3. Core Stability, Visual Awareness and Athletic Power
4. Multi Directional Movement
5. Multi Functional Sports Day

As with any properly covered athletic event, there will be athletic trainers available to serve as first responders in the event of injuries whether minor or major. We are hoping to attract children from all walks of life and through corporate sponsorship this can be made even more possible. The National Lotteries Control Board has supported us through their “Now Lets Create Benefits” programme, but there remain many opportunities for funding and support in many different ways that will help to realise the full potential of this programme. The Community Sports Clinic intends to use sports as a vessel for mentorship and positive growth. Although this clinic is only five days long, there will be other clinics of the same ethos to follow later in the year that will build on the principles and concepts of mentorship and positivity. Aside from the physical and mental training that the young children and teens will be exposed to, we intend to open the children’s eyes to the world of opportunities that sport can expose them to as stepping stones to other hopes and dreams they children always have. Next week, we will launch our facebook page. The Altus Health Services Ltd. Web site will also give information on the camp from next week, including registration forms to start signing up your children. As always, feel free to contact me at; dirtunderthenails@gmail.com or asha.defreitas@gmail.com if you are interested in registering your child or would like more information to provide sponsorship support.

-Asha DeFreitas-Moseley

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Sagicor General has invested a sum of $150,000 into the staging of its annual National Open Track and Field Championships, which will take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo over the weekend of June 23 and 24. This was revealed during a press conference at the Courtyard by Marriott in Mucurapo yesterday morning. The event, a qualifier for this July’s London Olympic Games, will feature an elite field of local athletes including Olympic 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson, World Junior 400m champion Jehue Gordon and World Championship 100m bronze medallist Kelly Ann Baptiste as they vie for a spot on the national team.

Speaking during yesterday’s launch, Secretary of the T&T Olympic Committee Bryan Lewis said he was expecting a large turnout from the public as it would be the last opportunity to witness the country’s stars in action before the Olympics.
The Championships’ marquee event, the 100m sprint, will see its top three finishers making the cut for London. Other than Thompson, who will be going for his fourth straight national title, six other local sprinters have already attained the 100m qualifying standard of 10.18 seconds in the last two years. Among them are Keston Bledman (9.93), Aaron Armstrong (10.07), Marc Burns (10.09), Emmanuel Callendar (10.12), Darryl Brown (10.13) and Rondel Sorillo (10.17).
In all, 20 T&T athletes have achieved the Games standards for their respective events, including Gordon in the 400m Hurdles, Baptiste in the 100m and Renny Quow in the 400m.

In an effort to bring out a crowd on both days, the Women’s 100m final will be contested on the Sunday. So far, St Kitts & Nevis and Antigua have confirmed the participation the 100m relay, which has been certified by the IAAF. The highlight of last year’s championships was the performance of Thomspon, who set a new National record of 9.85 in the 100m. Other upcoming athletics events at the Hasely Crawford Stadium will include this weekend’s President’s Track and Field Classic, created to make up for the cancellation of the Hampton Games, and the National Junior Championships on June 2 and 3, which will serve as a qualifier for CAC Junior Championships in El Salvador and World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain in July. Other main sponsors will include Blue Waters and Adidas.

-Nicholas Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

World Championships 400m bronze medallist Renny Quow took time off his Olympic training schedule to return home from his base in the Florida, USA to visit his home island of Tobago. The 2006 World Junior champion arrived on Wednesday evening and spent time with students of his former high school Scarborough Secondary on Thursday morning where he encouraged them to do their best. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by cheering students and eager teachers, many of whom taught him. Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary was also on hand to greet him. He also distributed autographed copies of exercise books bearing his picture.

Quow is one of seven national athletes who are being sponsored by BP Trinidad and Tobago. The 24-year-old also stopped at Bishop High School where he was warmly welcomed. Later today,the national quartermiler will have breakfast with THA Assistant Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Huey Cadette and then visit his primary school St Andrews Anglican before returning to Trinidad.  He leaves for the US tomorrow. Quow is among seven national athletes who have been selected as BPTT sporting ambassadors as part of an initiative by the energy company to help fuel the success of T&T's athletes at the upcoming Olympics and Paralympic Games in London, England and also up to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

According to a release from BPTT, they were selected to help prepare them for the ultimate milestones of their sporting careers. The other athletes are: shot putter Cleopatra Borel  and sprinter Michelle Lee Ahye (track and field), cyclist Njisane Phillips and paralympic athletes Carlos Greene (shot put, discus, weightlifting) and Shantol Ince (swimming).
BP is the official Oil and Gas Partner for London 2012 and will provide advanced fuels and engine oils for over 5,000 officials vehicles, as well as fuel for generators. BP is also London’s 2012 Sustainability Partner and the Official Carbon Offset Partner with Target Neutral through which BP will help all ticketed spectators offset their carbon footprint as they travel to the Games.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

International Rugby Board (IRB) President Bernard Lapasset has welcomed the announcement that women's rugby sevens will feature for the first time ever at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, in 2014.

The announcement comes after the IRB and the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the sport feature at its second Games.

The inclusion of a women's competition (pictured top, Guyana women's sevens team), alongside the men's, also reflects the growth of women's rugby in a region that is preparing to host the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where rugby sevens will make its Olympic debut.

"I would like to thank CACSO, the region's NOCs [National Organising Committee] and in particular CACSO President Héctor Cardona for their ongoing support of rugby," said Lapasset (pictured below).

"We are committed to delivering an exceptional and competitive event that will further the profile of the Games, rugby and our shared values."

The decision to retain men's rugby sevens in the Games programme and add the women's discipline comes after a successful inaugural CACSO rugby sevens competition in Guyana in 2010 and detailed evaluation of all sports by the 31 National Olympic Committees affiliated to CACSO.

The new agreement will see eight men's and eight women's teams compete in an event which will showcase the sport across the region.

"It is excellent that rugby sevens will once again feature at the CACSO Games," said Tom Jones, IRB regional manager for North America and the Caribbean.

"The addition of a women's event is a real endorsement of a sport that is taking off throughout the NACRA [North America Caribbean Rugby Association] IRB region and South America (CONSUR), and its inclusion will further the development of the game on all fronts."

North America and the Caribbean are strategically important to the IRB and the overall growth of the global game.

The region has witnessed significant increases in rugby participation over the last four years with more than 500,000 men, women and children actively participating.

The IRB is investing over £10 million ($16 million/€12 million) in the development of the game there between 2009 and 2012.

The 2010 Games rugby sevens gold medal was won by Guyana (pictured above), regular winners of the Caribbean sevens title in recent years and who scooped the coveted Guyana team of the year award after winning their sixth successive NACRA Caribbean title since 2006.

-Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

I've known United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief executive Scott Blackmun for over 15 years, and I have seen him, on occasion, enjoy a glass of good wine.

I've also witnessed him enjoy a round of golf and a rugged game of squash with his friends, or mountain biking with his son.

But those moments have been rare in the last 30 months for Blackmun (pictured below), since he was chosen to lead the organisation's staff and programmes in January 2010 by the USOC's Board of Directors – almost a decade after frighteningly narrow-minded USOC volunteer leaders had shoved him aside for the top job to choose former Maytag chief Lloyd Ward.

Blackmun left the USOC and Colorado Springs with his family to become a top executive with the Anschutz Entertainment Group in Los Angeles, a move that honed his many skills and leadership qualities before he moved to a law firm a few years later.

He was the right man at the right time for the USOC this time, however – and what went down in Québec City during the 2012 SportAccord Convention proved it beyond measure.

Blackmun and USOC chairman Larry Probst signed a new revenue-sharing agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that brought to a halt a protracted period of rancour, bitterness and unwarranted criticism of the USOC over its share of American network television fees and worldwide sponsorship revenues.

By rights, Blackmun and Probst should be celebrating by enjoying a glass of Domaine Romanée-Conti - regarded as the most expensive win in the world - or Petrus, served at their table by the smartly dressed sommelier, IOC President Jacques Rogge.

The new agreement – which benefits both organisations – is, to be truthful, a huge "get" for the IOC, because it needs the USOC and its athletes, as well as the power of American television and its corporations, along with a future Games on United States soil, no matter what rhetoric the IOC has used.

The old agreement, forged in the mid-1980s, gave the USOC a 12.75 per cent share of US television rights fees and 20 per cent of TOP (The Olympic Partner) sponsorships.

Trust me: the USOC deserved every penny of that deal, signed at a time when the organisation faced an uncertain future, and was steamrolled over and over by the IOC.

The new deal, which begins in 2020, now opens the doors to a possible US bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics or a shot at the 2024 Summer Games by cities like Denver, Reno-Tahoe, Salt Lake City, Bozeman or Montana, or heavyweights like New York, San Francisco, Dallas or Los Angeles.

Blackmun has protected the USOC's vital revenue sources and secured funding for American athletes and member organisations through to 2040. He knew from the start that whatever the USOC gave back, it needed to preserve its revenues as the only National Olympic Committee in the world that does not enjoy Federal Government support.

IOC and USOC officials declined to give specific figures of the agreement at the resulting news conference, but details of the terms have been published on insidethegames.

The USOC will retain the revenue it currently receives but its television rights share will be reduced to seven per cent on any increases in broadcast deals and its marketing share cut in half to 10 per cent on increases in sponsorship revenue.

The USOC agreed to contribute to the administrative costs of staging the Olympics –$15 million (£9.6 million/€12 million) through 2020 and $20 million (£12.7 million/€16 million)after 2020, the officials said. The contract also covers issues related to ownership of Olympic rights, trademarks and historic television footage.

The old agreement, created at a time when the USOC was facing huge revenue challenges and burdened by US television agreements which hindered its own domestic fund raising and sponsorships, was crafted by men who, like Probst and Blackmun, were resourceful and intelligent leaders: William E Simon, F Don Miller, John Krimsky, George Miller and Robert Helmick. They had a much different world to operate in then.

The income-sharing agreement reached at that time helped the USOC in its ability to raise funds, and followed the successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (pictured above) which arguably saved the Olympic Games and the IOC for the future.

The younger USOC had ponied up a guarantee of $25 million (£16 million/€20 million) in 1980, that it really did not have, to keep the Games in Los Angeles when citizens threatened the Games' funding. It had also endured the boycott of the Games in Moscow in 1980, forced on it by the Carter Administration, which damaged the USOC's ability to raise its needed funds and its sponsors. America had carried out a great 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid and produced the best moments of those days: the famed "Miracle on Ice" victory for the US men's ice hockey team over the all-conquering Soviet Union (pictured below) and speed skater Eric Heiden's unprecedented five gold medals. In fact, the boycotts almost bankrupted the USOC – and if it had where would the IOC and the Games be now?

American television and corporations became the backbone of IOC revenues, and the nation proved its worth over the years by staging successful games in Los Angeles in 984, Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake City 2002.

All that the USOC and the US had done for the Olympics was seemingly forgotten all at once, and the truth of history was shoved aside. America has hosted the Summer and Winter Games eight times, the most of any nation, and its athletes have given the Games some of their greatest moments and memories.

In recent years, the targeting of the USOC as greedy and selfish, out of touch with the rest of the world, and accompanied by a steady drumbeat of criticism over its share of the money grew to a cacophony of noise; it came at a time when the USOC was especially vulnerable and in disarray because of management and leadership turnover and scandal.

The issue was blamed by some as a huge reason that bids by New York for 2012 and Chicago for 2016 were thrown under the bus by the IOC in early round voting.

But now, it's all warmth and positive feelings between the USOC and the IOC.

"This is a very happy moment," Rogge said. "This agreement will definitely strengthen both sides."

Probst called it a "terrific arrangement for both the IOC and the USOC, a great outcome for the Olympic Movement around the world."

IOC vice-president Thomas Bach, a leading contender to succeed Rogge when he steps down in 2013, approached Probst in the lobby of the convention hall and said: "Hey, partner. Congratulations," according to reports.

Blackmun, who inherited the mess of a decade lost when he came aboard in 2010, was typically quiet in the aftermath of one of the most significant moments in the grand history of the USOC, which was founded in 1894 in a smoke-filled New York City club.

He and Probst (pictured above together) have travelled the world for the last two years, forging new friendships and rebuilding others lost. They have created a new image for the USOC as a partner in the Olympic Family.

Whatever.

The IOC and the USOC, but most importantly American athletes, are all winners.

And Blackmun can come home to Colorado Springs, maybe this weekend, and enjoy a glass of wine and a nap before he leaves again in the run-up to the Games in London.

He now joins another Colorado Springs guy, USOC President Emeritus Bill Hybl, in the ranks of those who stood up for the USOC when it needed them the most.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

At the age of 18, Shaquille Roberts has created history as the first Trinidadian and the first in the Caribbean to bear the Olympic torch in London.

Roberts, a student of Toco Secondary School and an athlete, will run a mile with the torch on June 28.

In an interview at his school yesterday Roberts said he was nervous, but excited. In addition he noted that running a mile was like warming up. Roberts was not ashamed to admit that as soon as he arrives in the London airport, he will cry.

“I will cry because it is an amazing achievement to be in London carrying the torch and representing my country. I will also cry again when I get the chance to meet some of the athletes who will be participating in the Olympics,” he said.

Roberts was chosen out of more than 200 children participating in London’s 2012 international sports legacy programme, International Inspiration.

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”.

He said he was first chosen together with four others to be interviewed at the British Embassy. He was later notified by email that he was chosen to bear the torch. His parents and teachers were thrilled.

“Everyone was so excited, I could not believe that I got chosen. It was almost unbelievable, but here I am soon to be an Olympic torch-bearer,” he declared.

Roberts, a long distance runner and a member of the Toco Track and Field Club, said his dream was to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympics in 2016. “It is something I am aiming for since I would love to represent my country doing something that I love,” he said.

He said he got into track and field after seeing members of his family perform well in athletics, and he wanted to do the same. “I also got a lot of encouragement from my parents as they said I was meant for something great,” he said.

As part of his routine, Roberts trains daily for six hours. Three hours in the morning, and three hours in the afternoon. This includes running seven to eight miles daily, and swimming three miles in the sea.

Roberts, a Form Four student said he had no problem balancing his school work with athletics. “When it is time for work, I dedicate time to work. When it is time for training I dedicate my time to training,” he declared.

In addition to track and field, Roberts is also involved in Dragon Boat Racing. He is a member of the under 18-National Dragon Boat Team. He accompanied the team to a regatta in Miami, where they won seven medals.

Roberts said he does not allow any distractions to deter him from focussing on training, and his school work. He also tries to encourage other young people to follow in his footsteps. “There are so many young people who like to lime on the corner, and I always try to get them to train with me. It makes no sense to lime all the time. Some of them say they wish they were like me, but they never follow through with it,” he said.

Roberts, who is an only child, said he hopes he will be able to provide for his parents like they did and continue to still do for him.

“They give me so much, and they are always encouraging me to be better, and do better, I hope I could return the favour soon,” he said.

He said he hopes when other young people see what he has achieved with hard work and determination, they will be inspired.

-Darcel Choy

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

Andrew Lewis, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Laser-class sailor to qualify for the Olympics, is looking to ensure he goes into the 2012 London Games, fully prepared and ready for the high-level competition.

Lewis revealed that he has a strong training plan in motion and is looking to strengthen with any opportunities to train at a high standard meet.

“I have two regattas and one training camp in preparation for the games. The first regatta, Skandia Sail for Gold, is in June in Weymouth, England where the Olympics will take place. The second one in early July is the Laser Europeans and this takes place in France. I then have a final training camp in the UK before I start the competition,” he divulged.

Lewis ensured a comprehensive regime as he knew the competition would be very tough with the conditions very strict to adapt to.

He attained the Olympic qualifying mark at the Audi Laser World Championships in Boltenhagen, Germany, held from May 4-10. Lewis won one of the 12 spots available at this event for Olympic qualification.

“Heading into the regatta (Boltenhagen), I was competing for one of twelve spots on offer to qualify for the Olympics. After the first six races, I was placed in the Silver fleet and now was one of ten countries competing for six spots. The competition was very stiff and I was made to work more than ever to gain my spot. In the final race I was under enormous pressure,” he stated.

“The calculations were such that there were three countries in immediate contention for the final spots — Puerto Rico, El Salvador and TT. I had a bad start in the race, but was able to regain my composure and finish strongly enough to ensure that I was one of the six countries who qualified,” added the 22-year-old.

On helping foster the sport locally, Lewis conferred, “I am the first sailor in the Laser class to qualify for the Games and it is indeed an honour to represent my country.”

-Renaldo Matadeen

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

Trinidad and Tobago archer Daryl Ramnarace missed out on qualifying for the Olympic Games, but T&T's Compound Bow team finished third in a recent world ranking tournament.

At the World Ranking and Continental Qualification tournaments hosted in Medellin, Colombia last month, Recurve Bow target man Ramnarace battled unsuccessfully for one of three Olympic berths at London 2012.

The US-based archer placed 23rd in the ranking round with an overall score of 1,148 points and then faced Colombian Diego Torres in the elimination round. He lost the contest on the set system despite close scores in the match.

Torres was eventually eliminated by Cuban Juan Carlos Stevens, one of three archers qualifying for the Olympics. The other qualifiers hailed from Brazil and Colombia.

T&T's Compound Bow team of George Vire, Hasmath Ali and Rakesh Sookoo bagged bronze in the world ranking event, two spots below their gold medal performance last year in Costa Rica.

In individual competition, though, they were unable to get past the quarter-finals.

Sookoo was seeded 12th in the ranking round, while Vire and Ali were seeded 15th and 16th, respectively. Sookoo's position earned him a first round bye in the elimination round, but both Ali and Vire won their first round encounters to reach the quarter-finals.

There, Sookoo lost to eventual champion Tomas Restrepo. Sookoo led by two points after nine arrows, but lost by the same margin after a bad shot.

Vire shot 144 out of a possible 150 points, but still lost to Mexican Gerald Alvarez by two points as well. Mexico's top-ranked archer Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez also accounted for Ali, winning 143-136.

The T&T compound team, along with teammate Nikhil Kanhai, left for El Salvador on Sunday to take part in the Pan American Championships, where they will face off against the top archers and teams in the region.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com