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

    oct.29.2008

    The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee ( TTOC) remains confident that Trinidad and Tobago can host a successful Commonwealth Games .

    The National Olympic Committee also acts as the Commonwealth Games Association for T&T .

    One year ago the TTOC announced that it was considering the feasibility of an official bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

    Local Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association chief Larry Romany confirmed that the idea is still on the "front burner" and that discussions with national stakeholders on all aspects of the bid process will get underway very shortly.

    " Given what is happening with the global economy there is a lot to contemplate but we [TTOC] believe that T&T can stage a fantastic Games the concept that we have in mind will be modern,compelling ,dynamic and creative".

    Trinidad and Tobago next year will host the Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in addition to the inaugural Caribbean Games.

    Romany believes that in the context of a Commonwealth Games bid 2009 will provide a litmus test.

    "Hosting the Summit of the Americas in April,The Caribbean Games in July and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November will test the country's resolve and public opinion .Between the three events T&T will welcome 11,000 visitors.Our capacity,infrastructure,vision,logistics for major international event hosting will be tested." said Romany

    The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly will vote on the 2018 host city in 2011 but the bid process is expected to start at the beginning of 2010.

    nov.01.2008

    Greek hurdler Fani Halkia could face a two-year jail sentence after a Greek prosecutor charged the former Olympic champion with using banned steroids.

    Greek sprinters Tassos Gousis and Dimitris Regas were charged with using the same steroid, methyltrienolone.

    Halkia's coach, George Panagiotopoulos, was charged with supplying banned substances and, if convicted, faces up to three years in prison and a fine.

    The defendants deny any wrongdoing and will go on trial within a year.

    Halkia, the 2004 Olympic women's 400m hurdles champion, was expelled from the Olympics after testing positive just days before she was due to compete in Beijing.

    Her 'B' sample came back positive for methyltrienolone, which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said is a dangerous drug that "may lead to serious consequences to the health of athletes, even threatening their lives".

    In August, the IOC rejected Halkia's defence that she had never used the steroid and that her sample had been subject to "acts of tampering by third parties".

    Halkia was a relative unknown before winning gold in Athens, where she set a new Olympic record of 52.77 seconds in the semi-finals

    nov.05.2008

    The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) will soon launch a series of Sport Administration workshops targeted at the various clubs and community Sport Organisations involved in Olympic Sport .
     
    The workshops will address topics such as strategic ,financial, marketing  and human resource management. The aim of the workshops will be to prepare participants for the TTOC Sport Administration and Advance Sport Administration courses.
     
    TTOC president Larry Romany says that building administrative capacity at the Club and Community level is crucial as National Sport Organisations will not be able to sustainably develop with out strong and well run clubs.
     
    Brian Lewis,secretary general of the TTOC confirmed that the plan is to start the workshops before the end of the year.
     
    The National Olympic Committee is currently run a series of Sport Nutrition and High Performance Coaching seminars

     
    nov.07.2008

    UK Athletics chief Charles van Commenee said there is "no room for sentiment" after cutting the number of British athletes on lottery funding by 20%.
    And the Dutchman is preparing further cuts after next year's World Championships in Berlin.
    "We are focusing investment on those we believe will be successful next summer," said Van Commenee.
    "Thereafter, the focus will be squarely on supporting those who have what it takes to deliver in London 2012."
    There are now just 33 athletes receiving funding from the lottery programme with the likes of Andy Turner, who failed to get beyond the second round of the 110m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics, among those to be removed from the list.
    Britain's athletes won just four medals at the Beijing Olympics, with 400m runner Christine Ohuorugu claiming the solitary gold.
    So there is no surprise that Ohuorugu tops the list of just six athletes who will receive the top level of funding of £25,383 per year.
    The other five - Phillips Idowu, Germaine Mason, Tasha Danvers, Kelly Sotherton and Nicola Sanders - all won medals in Beijing or at last year's World Championships in Osaka.

    Thirteen athletes will receive the next level of funding, which equates to a maximum award of £19,000, while 14 athletes are on the third tier of funding which is £12,600.

    Those receiving the second level of funding have to have finished in the top eight in Beijing or Osaka, while those in the third tier are funded because they have the potential to win medals at next year's World Championships.

    Ten further athletes, including Mark Lewis-Francis, will receive discretionary awards as part of the sprint relay squads.

    Joining Turner in losing their access to lottery funding are Becky Lyne and Rhys Williams, who won 800m and 400m hurdles bronze respectively at the 2006 European Championships.

    "We have taken a measured and impartial look at out athletes," added Van Commenee.

    "There can be no room for sentiment in elite athlete funding.

    "I will use the system to ensure athletes are motivated to perform when it matters most.

    "We have a big year ahead of us and we will see what athletes are worthy of investment leading onwards to 2012 and beyond."

    A level support athletes:
    Tasha Danvers, Phillips Idowu, Germaine Mason, Christine Ohuruogu, Nicola Sanders, Kelly Sotherton.
    The 37 other podium and relay support funded athletes:
    Larry Achike, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Emma Ania, Andy Baddeley, Tim Benjamin, Martyn Bernard, Michael Bingham, Sarah Claxton, Marlon Devonish, Lisa Dobriskey, Montell Douglas, Nathan Douglas, Tyrone Edgar, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Rikki Fifton, Emily Freeman, Jade Johnson, Jeanette Kwakye, Mark Lewis-Francis, Christian Malcolm, Lee McConnell, Marilyn Okoro, Tom Parsons, Jo Pavey, Craig Pickering, Paula Radcliffe, Michael Rimmer, Martyn Rooney, Greg Rutherford, Goldie Sayers, Andrew Steele, Robert Tobin, Chris Tomlinson, Laura Turner, Simeon Williamson, Mara Yamauchi.
    Source:www.bbc.co.uk

    nov.14.2008

    By Gareth Lewis
    BBC Wales Scrum V presenter

    With a year to go until rugby union finds out if it is back in the Olympic Games, rugby chiefs are considering a radical plan to boost their cause.

    The International Rugby Board would consider scrapping the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament if Rugby Sevens is selected as an Olympic sport.

    IRB officials will find out on 2 October 2009 if their bid for inclusion in the 2016 Games has been successful.

    "The Olympics should be the pinnacle of your sport," said IRB boss Mike Miller.

    Speaking to BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme, the chief executive said:

    "The Olympics can be the pinnacle of Sevens rugby and we will decide whether we will keep World Cup sevens, or not, if we get into the Olympics."

    The IRB has launched a high-profile campaign to end rugby's 92-year Olympic exile, with star names Danny Cipriani, Bryan Habana and Jerry Collins appearing in a promotional video.

    One of Cipriani's rivals for the Lions fly-half jersey, Wales's James Hook, first made his international mark in the 2006 Commonwealth Games Sevens tournament in Melbourne and gave his backing to the 2016 bid.

    "I would not mind being a part of that and I think it could be hugely beneficial," Hook, who will be 31 in 2016, told Scrum V.

    "For me the Commonwealth Games was a huge experience and my first opportunity to play against well-known players like Matt Giteau of Australia.

    "I think lots of us found that teams you had never even heard of were capable of beating or coming close to beating the bigger sides, which can only be good for the game."

    Rugby bosses have opted to pursue Sevens rather than the 15-a-side rugby because of the length of time needed to stage a 15-a-side tournament, and to keep the focus of the full game on the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations and Tri Nations.

    In the meantime, the IRB will spend their time making a series of top-level presentations to the International Olympic Committee in the run up to the selection vote in Copenhagen next October.

    Rugby missed out on selection for the 2012 Games in London and this time is up against six other sports - golf, roller sports, baseball, softball, squash and karate - with two set to get the nod from the 111 IOC members.

    According to the IRB's own figures, rugby union is in rude health.

    The 15-a-side World Cup in 2007 in France achieved record profits, was watched by a cumulative TV audience of 4.2 billion, and saw two-and-a-quarter million people go through the turnstiles.

    A record number of unions have also bid to host the 15-a-side World Cups in 2015 and 2019.

    But becoming an Olympic sport, it is argued "would bring even bigger benefits.

    We are trying to grow the game in new territories and are spending US $50m a year," said Miller.

    "But we are being told by member unions in countries such as Russia, China and the United States that if rugby became an Olympic sport everything would change.

    "The government would see the potential for the Sevens teams to win a medal and as a result they would have government funding and better access to facilities.

    "The smaller nations [in an Olympic context] such as Fiji would also have the chance to win a medal, as would Welsh rugby players as part of the Great Britain team.

    "Rugby players do not often get the chance to mingle with other sports.

    "To win an Olympic gold medal is a big dream and why shouldn't rugby players get to do that as well as other sportsmen and women?"

    The IRB are also keen to stress the shared values held by the Olympic movement and rugby union, but ultimately any decision rests in the hands of the 111 IOC members in Copenhagen.

    According to Miller, rugby would also make good commercial sense for the IOC.

    "The Olympics has a huge stadium for the opening ceremony and a week later it has the athletics, so there is nothing in the stadium for five or six days," he said.

    "We could fill that stadium for two or three days and we will bring rugby fans to the Olympic Games in droves. They would support not just the rugby but also the Games as a whole.

    "That is something we have, that a lot of the other sports trying to get in do not necessarily have."

    OLYMPIC SELECTION TIMETABLE

    Nov 2008: IRB and the six other sports present to IOC Programme Commission

    March 2009: Programme Commission and other IOC members attend men's and women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai

    June 2009: IRB presents to IOC executive board. Executive board may or may not make recommendation to IOC members

    Oct 2009: IOC members vote on which new sports will be included in 2016, two will be chosen

     

    nov.15.2008

    Source: www.bbc.co.uk
    Organisation, accommodation and competition scheduling at the recent event in Western India were criticised.
    "If they apply the lessons learned in Pune, they will have a very good Games," Jamaican team leader Denise Forrest told BBC Sport.
    "If the lessons have not been transferred to New Delhi, it may not be all we expect."
    Rats were found in some of the accommodation in Pune and one of the main hotels which housed athletes was unfinished when the event began.
    Athletes and media had problems gaining accreditation and the schedule of events did not run to time and was subject to late changes.
    The organising committee which presided over events in Pune will again be in charge of arrangements for the 2010 Games in the Indian capital.
    The 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow.

    nov.21.2008

    The importance of testing and evaluation cannot be understated.In Elite and International sport it is critical.The days of operating without it are over.
    In its ongoing efforts to foster coaching development.The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) will hold a "Testing and Evaluation" Seminar on Sunday 23 November at at the VIP room Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday 23rd November and Shaw Park Tobago, on Saturday 29th November.Time: 10am – 2pm .
    Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothes as the seminar will include "learning by doing'" sessions.
    Registration will be accepted on the morning of the Seminar.


    nov.22.2008

    ISTANBUL, Turkey -

    The Olympic movement is on sound financial footing but must hold down the size and cost of the Games to cope with the global economic downturn, IOC president Jacques Rogge said Friday.
    "The Games are not anymore in a growth mode, they are in a conservation mode," Rogge said in an address to the European Olympic Committees.
    Rogge said future financial backing of the IOC by broadcasters and sponsors - who pump billions of dollars into the Olympics - will depend on successful staging of the Games.
    "This is what I would call virtual money. If there are no good Games, there will be less money," he said. "We must make sure the Games do not become too sophisticated, too big and too costly.
    Every demand to add more sports on the program, more athletes, more coaches or higher service levels adds to the difficulty of staging good Games."
    Rogge said the IOC must maintain its cap of 28 sports and 10,500 athletes for the Summer Games, and resist an "underground swell" to increase the number to more than 30 sports.
    "In an economic boom, if there are resources that can be committed, it is OK to grow and have bigger Games," he said later, speaking to reporters. "It is not a wise thing to do in a period of credit crunch."
    The 2012 London Olympics will feature 26 sports. Seven sports - golf, softball, baseball, rugby, karate, squash and roller sports - are competing for two available slots on the program for the 2016 Games. The IOC will vote on the sports at its meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, next October.
    Rogge insisted the financial situation for the next three Olympics - 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, London 2012 and 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia - was "secure."
    "There is no issue of financing of these three Games," he said.
    Rogge did not mention that London, with a 9.3-billion-pound (C$17.8-billion) budget, is struggling to secure private funding for the athletes' village and has moved some venues to save money. Sochi, with a US$12 billion budget, has to build virtually all the venues from scratch.
    "Contrary to what you might read in some media, there is no danger for the financing of Sochi," Rogge said. "We have received very strong reassurances from the government that the funding is committed and is in place. Construction has started."
    Rogge stressed that the IOC's own internal finances were solid.
    "We have invested very conservatively," he said, adding that the IOC has distributed US$300 million in revenues to international sports federations and national Olympic committees over the last four-year cycle and will hand out US$311 million in the next four-year period.
    Rogge said the IOC has secured about US$900 million in global sponsorship revenue for the 2009-12 cycle through deals with nine sponsors. The IOC had 12 sponsors for the 2005-08 period, raising US$866 million. Johnson & Johnson announced last week that it was not renewing its contract, following earlier departures by Kodak, Lenovo and Manulife.
    Rogge said the IOC was negotiating for a possible 10th sponsor, but would settle for nine.
    "If it materializes fine," he said. "If not, it's not a big issue."
    The IOC has not yet concluded lucrative European and U.S. television deals for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics. It's uncertain if those deals will be completed before next October's vote on the 2016 host city. Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro are the candidates.
    "We are not in a hurry," Rogge said. "We have a big cushion of time. Things will evolve in a quiet and diligent way."
    The IOC leader said the financial crunch will hit hardest at the grass roots level of sports, with local clubs and national federations struggling to get sponsors and government financial funding.
    "Today governments are bailing out banks with billions of dollars," Rogge said. "I do hope this will have no negative repercussions in their funding of sport. We make a call to governments not to forget sports in future budgets."

     
    nov.23.2008

    LAUSANNE, Switzerland -
    The Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), Bernard Lapasset, led his team late last week in presenting Rugby’s case for re-inclusion in the Olympic Games to the IOC’s Olympic Programme Commission in Lausanne, Switzerland.
    Mr. Lapasset was joined by Mike Miller, Chief Executive of the IRB, Agustín Pichot, former captain of the Argentinean Rugby team and Anastassiya Khamova, one of Kazakhstan’s top female players and a leading figure in the Women’s Game. Bryan Habana, voted the IRB Player of the Year 2007, and a Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa, joined by video link.

    “Our team is very excited to be here today. We are looking forward to sharing our Olympic vision and setting out Rugby’s unique attributes, which we firmly believe would make re-inclusion good for the Olympic Games and good for Rugby” said Mr. Lapasset.

    “We are determined to keep driving Rugby forwards, to embrace new territories, to reach out to new players and audiences and inspire young athletes across the world. Indeed, while we count a membership of 116 Unions, we are committed to expanding the sport and its values globally and it is this aim that underpins our current campaign to secure the re-introduction of Rugby into the Olympic Games beginning in 2016,” he added.

    Pichot, a bronze medallist at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2001, said that inclusion in the Olympic Games would bring medal opportunities for new countries, inspiring the next generation of Rugby stars.

    “If Rugby Sevens was in the Olympic Games, it would offer Argentina the chance of further Olympic success. The same could be true for countries such as Fiji, Uruguay, Thailand and Tonga. Many other nations could benefit from greater medal potential but most importantly, it would also bring a new Olympic dream alive for those nations and inspire young people to embrace the Olympic world.”

    Rugby World Cup 2007 winner Habana, speaking on a video link before South Africa’s Test against Scotland this weekend, addressed the members of the Commission, stating: “I have spoken with many of my fellow top players and each one agrees that competing at the Olympic Games would be an amazing experience. We would all be there and would be proud to call ourselves ‘Olympians’. I hope that you think we would be a positive addition to your Programme and that the players and all those in Rugby would strengthen and support the Olympic Movement.”

    Khamova, a lynchpin of the Kazakhstan Sevens team, said that participation in an Olympic Games Rugby Sevens tournament would provide the impetus for the further growth of Women’s Rugby.

    “Women’s Rugby is well-established and in excellent health. The number of players is growing, as is the number of countries worldwide with women’s teams and last year at an event in London, I was one of 32 administrators and senior players at the first ever international conference on Women’s Rugby. Every single one of us agreed that Sevens in the Olympic Games would be the greatest catalyst to the growth of the women’s game and the best thing that could possibly happen to our Sport.”

    Mr. Miller said: “We know we must deliver for the future. In bringing new audiences to the Games, in helping every National Olympic Committee to develop their Sevens team and in working with others to share knowledge – and to benefit from one another’s experience. Rugby is reaching out. We want to spread our spirit and sport to new countries and see more players – and more women players – in every single country.”

    Note to Editors:

    Rugby was originally introduced to the Olympic Games by Pierre de Coubertin in 1900 and continued to be played at the 1908, 1920 and 1924 Games. The sport shares the values of the Olympic Movement and offers new potential for growth to help the Movement to thrive and reach more young fans worldwide. Rugby is one of seven sports which will be voted on by the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen in October 2009 for inclusion in the Olympic Programme beginning in 2016.

    nov.23.2008

    Caribbean nations can qualify and do well in Olympic Rugby 7s says Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany.

    According to Romany Caribbean successes in Olympic track and field are clear signs that the Caribbean possess the natural talent that if harnessed can do well at rugby 7s.

    "The challenge is providing the Caribbean with the access and assistance that will help them go the next level in rugby 7s"

    The IRB is seeking to have Rugby 7s included on the Olympic programme beginning in 2016.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic chief is anticipating at least two Caribbean Rugby 7 teams qualifying for to the 2010 Commonwealth and 2011 Pan Am Games

    nov.26.2008

    The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially released the Para-Sports Medal Events Program for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games following consultation with the International Paralympic Committee.

    The Commonwealth Games will take place from 3-14 October 2010 in Delhi, India, and will showcase world-class sporting opportunities for elite athletes with a disability.

    The 15 Para-Sports medal events to be included on the Delhi 2010 programme are as follows:

    Athletics Events
    Men’s Shot Put - F32/34/52
    Men’s 100m - T46
    Men’s 1500m - T54
    Women’s Shot Put - F32-34/52/53
    Women’s 100m - T37
    Women’s 1500m - T54
    Swimming Events
    Men’s 50m Freestyle - S9
    Men’s 100m Freestyle - S8
    Men’s 100m Freestyle - S10
    Women’s 50m Freestyle - S9
    Women’s 100m Freestyle - S9
    Women’s 100m Butterfly - S9
    Powerlifting Events
    Men’s Bench Press - Open
    Women’s Bench Press – Open

    Table Tennis Events
    Women’s Wheelchair - Open (Classes TT1-5)

    Delhi 2010 Organising Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi said that the inclusion of the Para-Sport Medal Events Program in the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will provide the city of Delhi and the country of India an outstanding opportunity to build greater social awareness of Paralympic sports, as well as the elite performances that athletes with a disability are capable of achieving.

    "These events will challenge us to develop a more "barrier-free" environment in Delhi, ensuring that all Commonwealth Games athletes fully enjoy their experience, and that the Games will leave a meaningful legacy in this regard," Kalmadi said.

    Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC, said the commitment of the CGF will prove successful in 2010, providing elite sporting opportunities for athletes with a disability from all over the Commonwealth.

    “As the world was able to see in China, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games brought the Paralympic Movement to new heights,” Sir Philip said. “And I look forward to seeing a positive impact in India during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games with the global attention that is certain to accompany the event.”

    Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said that the relationship shared with the IPC and the Paralympic Movement is a priority for the CGF.

    “The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Para-Sport Medal events program will undoubtedly continue to be a valued added and distinct component to our Games, providing great opportunities, for elite athletes with a disability, while further promoting the positive impact of the Paralympic Movement and the relationship shared between the CGF and the IPC,” Fennell said.

    The Co-operative Agreement between the IPC and CGF, which was signed in November 2007, under the banner of "Partners Uniting the Commonwealth Through Sport”, is the foundation for the institutional and Games related relationship the two organizations share.

    The Commonwealth Games are held every four years and involve the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The multi-national and multi-sport event has been previously held in Melbourne in 2006 and Manchester in 2002.

    Notes to the Editors:

    The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organization that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games. Underlying every decision made by the CGF are three core values: humanity, equality and destiny. These values help to inspire and unite millions of people and symbolize the broad mandate of the CGF within the Commonwealth.

    The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality. Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

     
    nov.27.2008

    Five more countries and £16m in funding have been added to the ambitious "International Inspiration" project.

    The scheme hopes to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012.

    "Our vision is to use the Games to inspire change - changing lives is the driving force behind our plans," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

    "We took a clear promise to Singapore (where London won the right to stage the Games in 2005) to encourage the world's youth to choose sport. This announcement is another key step towards delivering that promise."

    The legacy programme, a key plank in London's vote-winning pledge to use the Games to raise participation in sport, was launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in India in January 2008.

    Joining India in the first wave of countries were Azerbaijan, Brazil, Palau and Zambia.

    Among the individual schemes launched under the "International Inspiration" umbrella are a national physical education programme for rural schools in India, a plan to boost access to sports events and facilities in north-east Brazil and a sport-for-all drive in Azerbaijan.

    The five new countries are Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, Mozambique and Trinidad and Tobago, and the additional funding is comprised of £5.4m from the Department for International Development and a match-funding commitment from the British Council of £10.2m.

    This tops up the £9m already invested by those two backers and the Department of Media, Culture and Sport, the Premier League and Unicef.

    The ground-breaking scheme, which is being directed by the funding agency UK Sport, has been warmly received by Olympic bosses.

    "When Seb Coe and London 2012 made their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapore, one of their commitments was that they would inspire the youth of the world," said Denis Oswald, the chairman of the IOC's coordination commission for London 2012.

    "This project is one way London 2012 is living up to that promise and the IOC is delighted to be able to support them in this worthwhile endeavour."

     
    nov.27.2008

    The International Rugby Board Council today adopted a new regulation on player availability for international matches. The new Regulation 9 will apply from January 1, 2009 and follows extensive consultation with all stakeholders.

    IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said, “Over recent years the IRB has been engaged in a detailed consultation process with its Member Unions to develop a player release regulation that is consistent with the needs of the modern Game and is fair and proportionate for all stakeholders.”

    “I believe we have achieved an outcome that will now provide more certainty and clarity for everyone in the Game. The adoption of this new Regulation 9 follows on from various initiatives undertaken by the IRB recently to establish a global consensus on the Game and how its regulatory structure should meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving sport. The IRB is continuing to review all of Rugby’s regulations with relevant stakeholders to ensure they remain fit for purpose.”

    “As a world governing body we are conscious of the need to create a defined framework and schedule for the organisation of international and domestic matches. This is reflected in the revised Regulation 9 which caps the number of international matches for which players must be released and identifies when they are released back to their clubs or provinces.”

    “Due to differences in playing seasons and tournament structures the number of international matches is 11 for Northern Hemisphere Unions and 12 for Southern Hemisphere Unions. Furthermore, Council decided not to include fallow weeks in international tournament periods as part of the release periods,” added Mr Lapasset

    Regulation 9 will only apply to the following:

    Release for Designated Events


    Rugby World Cup and Qualification
    Rugby World Cup Sevens
    British & Irish Lions Tour
    Olympic Rugby Tournament and Qualification

    Global release periods


    June international window – the right to release for the senior national representative team, the next senior national representative team and the Under 20 national representative team. Three matches played in June.
    November international window – the right to release for the senior national representative team, the next senior national representative team and the Under 20 national representative team. Three matches played in November.
    There are no Global Release Periods in a Rugby World Cup year.

    Hemisphere Release Periods


    Annual release period for Northern Hemisphere eligible players:
    Five weeks (matches) out of the seven weeks from the first weekend of February to the third weekend of March for the senior national representative team, the next senior national representative team and the Under 20 national representative team.

    Annual release period for Southern Hemisphere eligible players:
    Six weeks (matches) out of the nine weeks from July 1 to August 31 for the senior national representative team, the next senior national representative team and the Under 20 national representative team.

    Release for pre-match assembly, training and squad sessions


    The Assembly period begins five days prior to the kick off of an International match
    The Rugby World Cup Assembly period begins 35 days prior to the start of the tournament during which warm-up matches may be played
    Three squad sessions per year are permitted, each session is for a maximum of three days for up to 30 players from the senior national representative team, to be taken as follows:

    For all Unions, the Monday to Wednesday of the week preceding the Assembly period for the November window

    For Northern Unions, the Monday to Wednesday of the week preceding the Assembly period for the Northern Hemisphere release period

    For Southern Unions, the Monday to Wednesday of the week preceding the Assembly period for the Southern Hemisphere release period

    The third session may be taken from a Monday to a Wednesday, subject to notification in advance of the relevant season

    dic.05.2008


    Friday, December 5 2008

    ROGER LEZAMA emerged the 2008 National Taekwondo Grand Champion beating In Seung Jung in the final of the Senior Welterweight Male Division of the National Taekwondo Championships on Saturday. Lezama was also adjudged Best Male Fighter as well as Best Fighter Overall.

    Jerome Brown and Elvis Saroda earned bronze medals in the Welterweight category.

    Tobagonian Shervon Waldron competing in the Welterweight category was voted Best Junior Male Fighter defeating Stephan Morales in the final.

    Dion Smith and Tin Hang Ali were the losing semi-finalists taking bronze for their efforts.

    Marissa Lee of Point Fortin fighting in the Bantamweight class placed first and took the award for Best Senior Female Fighter. Christine Regis was the runner-up.

    Joythi Persad was named Best Junior Female Fighter for her victory in the Featherweight division.

    Chad Lee won the gold medal in the Middleweight class whipping Che Sankar in the final.

    Lee for his success was named Most Improved Fighter. John Soverall, Head of the Tobago Taekwondo and Point Fortin Taekwondo Schools was designated the “Best Coach” of the tournament.

    Kenneth Lue Chee Lip, vice-president and Chairman of the National Taekwondo Championships expressed delight in the participation of the tournament as well as the quality of the competition.

    The following are the full results of the tournament.

    JUNIORS FIGHTERS:

    FLYWEIGHT 11-14 - 1. Shawn Joseph, 2. Matthew Mahabir, 3. Timothy Nakid]

    BANTAMWEIGHT 11-14 - 1. Asa Yee, 2. J Harewood

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT 11-14 - 1. C Nakid, 2. Dylon Angus, 3. Dion Jirod and Jonathan Edwards

    WELTERWEIGHT 11-14 - 1. Whitney Prescott, 2. Phath Nehall, 3. Zoe Veronica Bowen

    BANTAMWEIGHT 14-17 - 1. Satiyam Maharaj, 2. Lean-Luc Moyou, 3. Andrew Lee and Elliot Mill

    WELTERWEIGHT 14-17 - Shervon Waldron, 2. Stephan Morales, 3. Dion Smith and Tin Hang Li

    MIDDLEWEIGHT 14-17 - Chad Lee, Che Sankar, 3. Jean Lue Gonzales

    MIDDLEWEIGHT 14-17 - 1. Lellandra Dennis, 2. Katrina Young, 3. Sheryl Debourg and Talesha Mohammed

    FEATHERWEIGHT 14-17 - 1. Kevin Lee Ping, 2. Johnathan Tardieu, 2. Quaid Pollonais and Andrew O’Brien

    FEATHERWEIGHT 14-17 - 1. Jyothi Persad, 2. Katherine Lee-A-Ping, 3. Meseana Williams and Sierra Metzger

    LIGHTWEIGHT 14-17 - 1. Naomi Mills, 2. Martha Johnson.

    SENIOR CATEGORY:

    BANTAMWEIGHT - 1. Marissa Lee, 2. Christine Ringis LIGHTWEIGHT - 1. Wendell Small, 2. Chad Dhanoolal, 3. Nigel Hurst MIDDLEWEIGHT - 1. Kevin Khan, 2. Tahir Rochford, 3. Shane Regis WELTERWEIGHT - 1. Roger Lezama, 2. In Seung Jung, 3. Jerome Brown and Elvis Saroda

    SUPER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT - 1. Diego Parris, 2. Austin Noel, 3. Carver Forde

    SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT - 1. Vincent Lee, 2. Vince Lee.

    dic.05.2008

    The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) is pressing ahead with its 2012 London Olympic plan that is aimed at T&T achieving a record medal haul.
    Against a background of a global economic downturn,the national Olympic committee president Larry Romany expressed confidence that the funding to underwrite the TTOC's 2012 action plan will be found. "Even as we review our[TTOC] expenditure and look at ways to belt tighten.I am clear that the financial support that our athletes require cannot be compromised.The cost of winning a medal has not and will not fall.The TTOC will need to be more creative and innovative .Administratively we are restructuring to ensure that we improve our efficiency ".
     
    Romany pointed out that the pathway to London 2012 includes the Caribbean,CAC,Commonwealth and Pan Am Games along with the 2010 Summer Olympic Youth Games and the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. and the World University Games. " We have to develop,select and prepare teams for the menu of events along the pathway.It is a challenge that cannot intimidate the TTOC .But it does call for creativity and innovation. With all that is going on globally and in the country .Our vision must remain ambitious and our self confidence high ".

     
    dic.27.2008

    The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Annual Awards function will be held on Monday 29th December at President's House. His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will deliver the feature address at the gala function which starts at 6pm.
    TTOC president Larry Romany said His Excellency is the patron of the TTOC and has kindly offered to host the prestigious event. "We are appreciative .His Excellency has always showed a keen interest ,concern and support for the T&T Olympic movement and the fostering of the Olympic Values"said Romany Among the distinguished invitees are Mr Gary Hunt,the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs who will address the gathering. Invited guests are reminded that they should be seated by 5.45pm.
     
    CNC3 TV will carry a live TV broadcast of the prestigious event ,while 955fm radio will do a live radio broadcast.

     
    dic.23.2008

    The strategic focus on building the human resource and knowledge capacity among the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee's (TTOC) thirty eight affiliates will continue in the 2009- 2012 quadrennial says Larry Romany, president of the organisation.

    Romany’s four year term of office expires next year and he has confirmed that he will seek re election for a second and final term. The TTOC Constitution sets a two term limit for all positions on the Executive with the exception of Secretary General. Romany was elected as the TTOC’s ninth president in April 2005, succeeding Douglas Camacho.

    Next Year, in addition to its normal schedule of coaching , sports administration and sport science courses, the TTOC has on its drawing board Sport Law, and Sport Development conferences.

    Romany said that the hosting of the Caribbean Games next year will not see a reduction in activities.

    "We [TTOC] cannot let up if we are serious about achieving 2012 and 2016 Olympic medal objectives, there must be an emphasis on building and growing the base of the pyramid. Development and high performance are integrated. Sports development needs to become the priority, that shortcoming remains a failure here in T&T and the TTOC has an important role to play in identifying, and advocating for the bridging of that gap"

    The national Olympic chief cautions that T&T runs the risk of falling behind the other Caribbean nations.

    "We have had warning signals in a number of sports, but choose to believe that it is an aberration. It is not. The reality is that it is a reflection of the absence of a systemic sport development ecosystem. We continue to delude ourselves into believing that we are doing things right on the basis that we have had some successes. However the lack of consistence tells the true tale. It is essential to identify the best practice for what we need and get the right people, in the right places"

    dic.28.2008

    By Hugh Godwin
    Sunday, 28 December 2008
    Rugby's most powerful administrator has a favourite method of clearing his head when it comes to contemplating the game's pressing challenges. Bernard Lapasset gets on his bike. After his daily cycle in the foothills of the French Pyren-ees near the family home in Tarbes, the chairman of the International Rugby Board settled on his three priorities for 2009.
    Surprisingly for some, perhaps, the first is to get rugby readmitted to the Olympics.
    "The vote on which sports, if any, will be added to the Olympic Games for 2016 takes place in October," said Lapasset. "This year is a very important one for rugby to take a big step in its development, as we are growing more and more professional. There are three key issues, and the first of these is to be in the Olympics. There are 205 national Olympic committees and we need to grow the game around the world."
    The second issue, said Lapasset, was the continuing adaptation of rugby's regulations to protect the game's "specificity" in its development as a professional sport. "And the third priority is to name the hosts for Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019 [in June], and be well-positioned for sponsorship, TV and commercial programmes." He did not rule out a further reduction in the guarantee required from tendering unions, given the "difficult" global economy.
    The Olympics are close to Lapasset's heart; he was a vice-chairman of France's Olympic Committee for 20 years and he has led the campaign for rugby's inclusion, which would be in the sevens format, with vigour. He has known Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee's president, since Rogge was a teenaged flanker playing for Belgium. "The problem is not just Jacques, the problem is to convince all 117 IOC members," said Lapasset, who led a presentation to the IOC in Lausanne in November.
    He took along the former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot, and entered the debating chamber after squash and before baseball. The other sports vying for the maximum two available places (it could be one or none) are softball, karate, golf and roller sports.
    Rugby has been refused three times before – it was last played in the Olympics in 1924 – but Lapasset insisted there is hope. "The perception of rugby changed after the 2007 World Cup in France.
    I went to Beijing last summer and met about 80 IOC members. They said the World Cup presented a fantastic picture of camaraderie, respect and big crowds enjoying themselves. Four or five years ago they used to say, 'Oh, rugby, it's just a game for the gentleman, and the English-speaking gentleman at that'."
    Apart from worldwide exposure to attract new players, the dividend for rugby is government funding, which in many countries goes only to Olympic sports. "It is important for the IOC that small countries like Fiji could be competing for a gold medal," argued Lapasset. "We propose three days of rugby involving teams from every continent in full stadiums, with young sportsmen and women playing with fun."
    A combined British team are likely to meet less opposition in rugby than football. The first requirement is a compelling final presentation to the IOC executive in June before the October vote in Copenhagen.
    www.independent.co.uk

     
    dic.30.2008

    Tuesday, December 30 2008

    SPRINTERS RICHARD Thompson and Kelly Ann Baptiste copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively at the annual Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) yesterday evening.

    The function was staged at the President’s House at St Ann’s.

    The 23-year-old Thompson rose to global prominence this year as he claimed a pair of silver medals at the Beijing Olympics— the men’s 100 metres in 9.89 seconds and the 4x100m relay when the team clocked 38.06 seconds.

    While competing for his US college, Louisiana State University at the NCAA Championships, Thompson won gold in both the 100m (9.93 seconds) and 4x100m relay.

    The 22-year-old Baptiste advanced to the second round of the women’s 100m at the Olympics, but placed sixth in her heat with a time of 11.42 seconds.

    National cricket captain Daren Ganga was adjudged the Sports Personality of the Year while the Junior Sportsman of the Year is 18- year-old long-distance runner and triathlete Gavyn Nero.

    Janeil Bellille, a 19-year-old who specialises in both the 400m sprints and hurdles, was voted as the Junior Sportswoman of the Year while long-distance runner Dwight Yearwood, who suffers with a physical disability, was presented with the Alexander B Chapman Award.

    Four members of the silver-medal 4x100m squad at Beijing— Thompson, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman, were given special Olympic pins at the function while Natalie Fonrose, a student of St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS), won a special art competition organised by the TTOC.
    President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ,His Excellency  Professor George Maxwell Richards gace the keynote address.Minster of Sport nd Youth Affairs Gary Hunt and TTOC president Larry Romany also  addressed the audience that included members of the Diplomatic Corp  and other distinguished guests .

     
    dic.30.2008

    RICHARD Thompson and Kelly Ann Baptiste copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively at the annual Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) yesterday evening.

    The function was staged at the President’s House at St Ann’s.

    The 23-year-old Thompson rose to global prominence this year as he claimed a pair of silver medals at the Beijing Olympics— the men’s 100 metres in 9.89 seconds and the 4x100m relay when the team clocked 38.06 seconds.

    While competing for his US college, Louisiana State University at the NCAA Championships, Thompson won gold in both the 100m (9.93 seconds) and 4x100m relay.

    The 22-year-old Baptiste advanced to the second round of the women’s 100m at the Olympics, but placed sixth in her heat with a time of 11.42 seconds.

    National cricket captain Daren Ganga was adjudged the Sports Personality of the Year while the Junior Sportsman of the Year is 18- year-old long-distance runner and triathlete Gavyn Nero.

    Janeil Bellille, a 19-year-old who specialises in both the 400m sprints and hurdles, was voted as the Junior Sportswoman of the Year while long-distance runner Dwight Yearwood, who suffers with a physical disability, was presented with the Alexander B Chapman Award.

    Four members of the silver-medal 4x100m squad at Beijing— Thompson, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman, were given special IOC Olympic pins at the function while Natalie Fonrose, a student of St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS), won a special art competition organised by the TTOC.


    President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ,His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards gave the keynote address.Minster of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt and TTOC president Larry Romany also addressed the audience that included members of the Diplomatic Corp ,prominent members of the T&T sport fraternity , and other distinguished guests .

    Speaking after the gala event,TTOC president Larry Romany expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards for his magnanimous gesture in hosting the event .

    " It is a dignified way to end our 60th Anniversary celebrations.The awards function has grown in stature and prestige over the years .This fact has placed a tremendous responsibility on the TTOC to ensure that we produce an event that meets the expectations of everyone."

    The TTOC chief in his speech thanked the local Olympic movement for their support during his tenure which comes to an end April next year.He however acknowledged that while there were high points he remained concerned about the future of National Sport Organisations as there is a need for strong leaders with vision,integrity and a sense of stewardship.