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mar.29.2009

Baron Pierre de Coubertin,founder of the modern Olympic Games was particularly fond of rugby and was the referee of the first ever French Rugb union Championship played on 20 March 1892. Coubertin was inducted(induction # 2) into the International Rugby Board (IRB) Hall of Fame in 2007.

IRB Hall of Fame - Induction No 2 - Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) France



Personal details
  • Name: Pierre Fredy Baron de Coubertin
  • DoB: January 1, 1863
  • PoB: Paris - 4th child of Charles Louis Fredy de Coubertin (artist painter) and Agathe Marie Marcelle Gigault de Crissenoy (musician)
  • Married to Marie Rothan, two children Jacques and Renee
  • Education: Vaugirard Colege, Paris, St Igantius School, Paris, read Philosophy, Law and History at University
  • Sport: boxing, fencing, rowing, horse riding, pistol shooting (seven times Champion of France), rugby
  • Journalist, author, historian and essayist
  • Major Influences: Father J.Carnot, H.Taine, J.Simon, Father H. Didon, Thomas Hughes, Dr. T Arnold
  • Founder of the modern Olympic Games
  • Founder of the Committee for the promotion of physical exercise in France
  • Founder of the Association for the reform of education in French schools
  • Founder of the governing body of French sport Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athletiques (USFSA)
  • Founder of the football commission of USFSA - the de facto governing body of rugby football in France
Rugby career
  • Learned rugby at Rugby School in 1880s.
  • One of the pioneers of the French game alongside Heywood, Barbin, Reichel, Mouchot, Wiet, Marcadet, Sienkievicz, Foucault, Pauly, de Candamo, Herbet and Faure-Djuarric, St. Clair, St. Chaffray etc, he played rugby in Bois de Boulogne throughout the late 1880s, though for unknown reasons his biographers have ignored his interest in the game.
  • The USFSA football commission chaired by de Coubertin led the campaign to have football-rugby accepted by schools, clubs and government
  • Played a leading role in promoting rugby among school establishments by organising the first French schools championship in 1890
  • Instigated the expansion of rugby among leading schools in Paris (a championship involving 13 schools) in 1891
  • Refereed the first final of the French Championship between Stade Francaise and Racing Club de France in 1892
  • Involved in the organisation of the earliest French tours to England and Scotland and the first visit of an English side (Rosslyn Park) to Paris in 1893
  • Wrote significant articles about rugby and promoted the game vigorously
  • Made significant efforts to have rugby in the Olympic Games, and presided over the Rugby tournaments at the 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924 Olympics
  • Following his retirement from then Olympic Movement in 1925, rugby was dropped from the Olympic programme, despite strong interest from Dutch students and the Amsterdam Games organisers
  • The first writer to describe rugby as an “educational tool”

Notes about foot-ball

De Coubertin was 20 when he visited Rugby School for the first time in 1883. By that time de Coubertin had already read Thomas Hughes’ novel, Tom Brown’s Schooldays and was familiar with the philosophy and practice of Dr Thomas Arnold, Rugby’s famous headmaster. Arnold's methods and the fortunes of young Tom Brown made a great impression on the young French aristocrat, in search of educational models for his country, traumatised by defeat in the French-Prussian war. He visited the Rugby School several times and became a fine purveyor of rugby football (he called the game football-rugby), as his various subsequent commentaries suggest.

His biographers mention boxing, fencing, rowing and horse-riding as his main sporting interests. They however failed to underline his interest in rugby, which he played, refereed and promoted. His essay about “Foot-ball Rugby” is edifying in this respect. In 1894 he formed the International Olympic Committee and in 1896 the first Olympic Games were held in Athens. A year later (1897), Pierre de Coubertin wrote ‘Notes about Foot-ball’, a clear testimony of his enduring passion for and profound understanding of Rugby Football.

“….despite its early problems, foot-ball has survived and flourished. Why should this be? It must be put down to the intrinsic value of the game itself and the emotions it generates amongst the participants. If the foot-ball rules are complex, we nevertheless can retain four or five, which are basic and simple. What is the player looking for? To gain the ball and carry it to the opposing try-line and touch the ball down behind the try-line as near as possible to the goal, which is made of two big posts linked together at half height by a transverse bar. If he manages to do that, he scores a try which means a certain number of points for his team; the ball is then placed on the ground on a perpendicular line to the try-line starting from the place where the try was scored. The ball is placed at any point on this line and a player tries to place the ball between the two posts and above the transversal bar with an accurate kick. The try is then converted in goal, which adds more points to the team score, and the total of all these points will decide the winner. If either team scores no points, it’s a draw.

“This is the basic framework to which are added some more sophisticated rules, which are the true genius of the game…..So many decisions require an agile mind and self control, not the least of which is being able to pass to a team mate who is better positioned than oneself. Discipline is the key to success. No team can see the whole battle…..What is admirable in football, is the perpetual mix of individualism and discipline, the necessity for each man to think, anticipate, take a decision and at the same time subordinate one’s reasoning, thoughts and decisions to those of the captain. And even the referee’s whistle stopping a player for a ‘fault’ one team mate has made and he hasn’t seen, tests his character and patience. For all that, foot-ball is truly the reflection of life, a lesson experimenting in the real world, a first-rate educational tool.”

mar.29.2009

Baron Pierre de Coubertin,founder of the modern Olympic Games was particularly fond of rugby and was the referee of the first ever French Rugb union Championship played on 20 March 1892. Coubertin was inducted(induction # 2) into the International Rugby Board (IRB) Hall of Fame in 2007.

IRB Hall of Fame - Induction No 2 - Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) France



Personal details
  • Name: Pierre Fredy Baron de Coubertin
  • DoB: January 1, 1863
  • PoB: Paris - 4th child of Charles Louis Fredy de Coubertin (artist painter) and Agathe Marie Marcelle Gigault de Crissenoy (musician)
  • Married to Marie Rothan, two children Jacques and Renee
  • Education: Vaugirard Colege, Paris, St Igantius School, Paris, read Philosophy, Law and History at University
  • Sport: boxing, fencing, rowing, horse riding, pistol shooting (seven times Champion of France), rugby
  • Journalist, author, historian and essayist
  • Major Influences: Father J.Carnot, H.Taine, J.Simon, Father H. Didon, Thomas Hughes, Dr. T Arnold
  • Founder of the modern Olympic Games
  • Founder of the Committee for the promotion of physical exercise in France
  • Founder of the Association for the reform of education in French schools
  • Founder of the governing body of French sport Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athletiques (USFSA)
  • Founder of the football commission of USFSA - the de facto governing body of rugby football in France
Rugby career
  • Learned rugby at Rugby School in 1880s.
  • One of the pioneers of the French game alongside Heywood, Barbin, Reichel, Mouchot, Wiet, Marcadet, Sienkievicz, Foucault, Pauly, de Candamo, Herbet and Faure-Djuarric, St. Clair, St. Chaffray etc, he played rugby in Bois de Boulogne throughout the late 1880s, though for unknown reasons his biographers have ignored his interest in the game.
  • The USFSA football commission chaired by de Coubertin led the campaign to have football-rugby accepted by schools, clubs and government
  • Played a leading role in promoting rugby among school establishments by organising the first French schools championship in 1890
  • Instigated the expansion of rugby among leading schools in Paris (a championship involving 13 schools) in 1891
  • Refereed the first final of the French Championship between Stade Francaise and Racing Club de France in 1892
  • Involved in the organisation of the earliest French tours to England and Scotland and the first visit of an English side (Rosslyn Park) to Paris in 1893
  • Wrote significant articles about rugby and promoted the game vigorously
  • Made significant efforts to have rugby in the Olympic Games, and presided over the Rugby tournaments at the 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924 Olympics
  • Following his retirement from then Olympic Movement in 1925, rugby was dropped from the Olympic programme, despite strong interest from Dutch students and the Amsterdam Games organisers
  • The first writer to describe rugby as an “educational tool”

Notes about foot-ball

De Coubertin was 20 when he visited Rugby School for the first time in 1883. By that time de Coubertin had already read Thomas Hughes’ novel, Tom Brown’s Schooldays and was familiar with the philosophy and practice of Dr Thomas Arnold, Rugby’s famous headmaster. Arnold's methods and the fortunes of young Tom Brown made a great impression on the young French aristocrat, in search of educational models for his country, traumatised by defeat in the French-Prussian war. He visited the Rugby School several times and became a fine purveyor of rugby football (he called the game football-rugby), as his various subsequent commentaries suggest.

His biographers mention boxing, fencing, rowing and horse-riding as his main sporting interests. They however failed to underline his interest in rugby, which he played, refereed and promoted. His essay about “Foot-ball Rugby” is edifying in this respect. In 1894 he formed the International Olympic Committee and in 1896 the first Olympic Games were held in Athens. A year later (1897), Pierre de Coubertin wrote ‘Notes about Foot-ball’, a clear testimony of his enduring passion for and profound understanding of Rugby Football.

“….despite its early problems, foot-ball has survived and flourished. Why should this be? It must be put down to the intrinsic value of the game itself and the emotions it generates amongst the participants. If the foot-ball rules are complex, we nevertheless can retain four or five, which are basic and simple. What is the player looking for? To gain the ball and carry it to the opposing try-line and touch the ball down behind the try-line as near as possible to the goal, which is made of two big posts linked together at half height by a transverse bar. If he manages to do that, he scores a try which means a certain number of points for his team; the ball is then placed on the ground on a perpendicular line to the try-line starting from the place where the try was scored. The ball is placed at any point on this line and a player tries to place the ball between the two posts and above the transversal bar with an accurate kick. The try is then converted in goal, which adds more points to the team score, and the total of all these points will decide the winner. If either team scores no points, it’s a draw.

“This is the basic framework to which are added some more sophisticated rules, which are the true genius of the game…..So many decisions require an agile mind and self control, not the least of which is being able to pass to a team mate who is better positioned than oneself. Discipline is the key to success. No team can see the whole battle…..What is admirable in football, is the perpetual mix of individualism and discipline, the necessity for each man to think, anticipate, take a decision and at the same time subordinate one’s reasoning, thoughts and decisions to those of the captain. And even the referee’s whistle stopping a player for a ‘fault’ one team mate has made and he hasn’t seen, tests his character and patience. For all that, foot-ball is truly the reflection of life, a lesson experimenting in the real world, a first-rate educational tool.”

abr.03.2009

Port.of.Spain-Friday 3 April

Commonwealth Games Federation Honorary Secretary General Louise Martin arrived in Trinidad yesterday for a three day visit that will form a critical aspect of T&T's preparations to host the historic inaugural Caribbean Games .

The primary purpose of the highly respected sport administrator's visit is to conduct a protocol audit for the 2009 Caribbean Games. Local Organizing Committee

Martin was instrumental in Glasgow winning the bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

She is in Trinidad following a request made to her by Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee president Larry Romany.

"Louise has vast experience.She is an acknowledged driving force in Scotland Sport.She understands the requirements for successfully hosting multi sport Games.Her positive response in an individual capacity is deeply appreciated".

Romany pointed out that the task of hosting the inaugural Caribbean Games is a significant responsibility and in order for Trinidad and Tobago to set the foundation for a sustainable legacy for the future of the Games the TTOC's approach is that there is no second chance.

' I have always said that the decision of the Caribbean Heads of Government and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) to stage a Caribbean Games is visionary and audacious.I continue to call on everyone without exception to rally around the Caribbean Games' added Romany

Amid rumors to the contrary, the T&T Olympic chief remains adamant that the Region's best athletes are fully supporting the Games.

" I am in regular contact with my Caribbean Olympic colleagues and they are confident that in their respective countries there is a recognition of the sense of history and importance of the Games to the Caribbean people and region.I don't get a sense that there are any hidden agendas or self interest at play.Also the feed back from all the sports is positive and supportive"

This morning Martin is scheduled to make courtesy calls on the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Professor George Maxwell Richard,the Minister of Sport,Gary Hunt and the British High Commissioner.

The inaugural Caribbean Games will be held 12- 19 July.Five sports on the programme are Boxing,Tennis,Track and Field,Netball and Volleyball.The tennis competition will be held in Tobago.

abr.04.2009

With one hundred days to go before the start of the inaugural Caribbean Games .The excitement is building says Trinidad and Tobago president Larry Romany.
 
"At this point we are focusing ,in particular,on the areas that will ensure that the athlete and spectator experience will meet and exceed expectations.Logistics,transport,the Games Village at UWI ,catering,transport and the arrival and departure experience"
 
The determination Romany asserted is to prove that the Caribbean can host a multi sport event.
 
The Caribbean Games is a dream come through for the region which has made an invaluable contribution to the International Olympic Movement,the Olympic Games and the Olympic Values.
 
The contribution of the Caribbean to modern Olympism is unquestioned.
 
The desire of the people of the region,the Governments and the sportsmen and women to participate at their very own Olympic styled multi- sport event is understandable.
 
To deny such an ambition is a denial of the multiculturalism,universality  and diversity agenda of the International Olympic movement.
 
"Striving for Excellence,Friendship and Respect are the core Olympic Values .The Global Olympic movement will welcome and see the Caribbean Games as an affirmation and symbol of the regions commitment to Olympism"
 
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) has not asked either the IOC or PASO for financial assistance for the inaugural Games nor is there any intention to do so .
 
According to Romany the Trinidad and Tobago Government is determined and resolute in its support for the Games and therefore the hosting of the Games will not be compromised.
 
'All of the Governments in the region have committed to supporting their respective National Olympic Committees.So even though there is a downturn in the Global economy all 26 countries will be part of this historic event"
 
The Caribbean Games message of hope and ambition is expected to resonate and fire the imagination of the region.
 
" In a practical sense.It gives the young people of the region an opportunity to see their Olympic heroes compete in the region.that alone is reason enough to embrace the idea and vision ,dreams and aspirations that is at the heart and soul of the Caribbean Games.it is an idea whose time has come." ended Romany.
 

 
abr.05.2009


Even though the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) is disappointed by the recent decision taken by the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) headed by Mario Vasquez Rana to not  give official PASO sanction to the inaugural Caribbean Games.The TTOC is confident that the Games will be successful.
 
According to TTOC Officials the official reasons given by PASO does not stand exacting scrutiny.As there are a number of examples of support and patronage for other regional and sub-regional games.
 
The request to PASO did not include any request for financial assistance.
 
Describing the PASO decision as "regretful and  unexpected"  .Brian Lewis,the  TTOC secretary general remains confident that the inaugural Caribbean Games which will be held in Port.Of.Spain,Trinidad from 12 -19 July will be a tremendous success as PASO's blessings is not necessary .
 
According to Lewis the Caribbean region's positive contribution to the International Olympic Committee ,Olympism ,the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement is undeniable.
 
"The Caribbean Olympic Movement  is resolute and will progress the staging of the Caribbean Games undeterred and with the indomitable will,creativity , imagination and resilience that has served the region through out its well documented social,geo political and economic history.The disappointment felt by the TTOC ,in particular, has only served to strengthen its commitment to the Olympic Values of striving for excellence,friendship and respect" said Lewis
 
Refusing to speculate as to any unstated reasons for the inexplicable turn of events the TTOC secretary general, however, cautioned against any action that maybe perceived as a snub or taking the Caribbean for granted.
 
"The Caribbean has in the past proven to be extremely supportive of many of the iniatives undertaken by PASO and the PASO membership.This decision is not reflective of any appreciation and respect for the contribution that the Caribbean has made"
 
"In sport politics there are always people who will prefer to see the Caribbean divided but the formation of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) has brought a level of consenus and co operation among the Caribbean  that is unprecedented.The Caribbean Games is a symbol of that unity".
 
 

The Pan American Sports Organisation (acronym: PASO; represents the 42 National Olympic Committees of the American continent. It is the Continental Association for the Americas.

It is affiliated to/with the International Olympic Committee and its affiliated bodies, such as ANOC: the Association of National Olympic Committees.

PASO is the body that organizes/oversees the Pan American Games.
 
 

abr.05.2009

Jamaica's Grace Jackson was yesterday made an ambassador of the inaugural Caribbean Games set for July 12-19 in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

Jackson, who joins T&T Olympians Hasley Crawford and Ato Boldon as ambassadors, was presented with her citation at the Hilton Kingston Hotel yesterday morning.
Both Crawford, the 1976 100 metres Olympic champion and Boldon, the 100m silver medallist at the 2000 Olympics, were in attendance.

Jackson, the 1988 200m silver medallist, said she was grateful to be asked to represent the Caribbean, "because I do see myself as an international citizen of which the Caribbean plays quite an important part".

"I am glad that I am able to join both Hasely and Ato as ambassadors to spread the word to go to Trinidad and make it a real spectacle," a hoarse-sounding Jackson - who has been participating in the ISSA Girls and Boys Championship - said.

She added: "It really gives me great pleasure to get another platform for which I can represent the different cultures in the Caribbean and boast that every single person in the Olympic 100m final was from the Americas and six from the Caribbean."

Jackson, also a bronze medallist at the 1987 and 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championship, said she is proud to say that the Caribbean region is one of the best in the world in sprinting.

"Hasely started out in getting the first gold medal and we had to wait so many years and we got it last year. But I can guarantee you that there is a lot more to come and we will keep that tradition going.

"We're not going to stay there; we'll be looking at middle-distance runners one step at a time and this game will be helping to produce more of those persons," she said.

"The rivalry among us is so great it helps to build us and go out and be the best in the world. We have the best in the world and we want to bring them to the Caribbean to see what we're made of," Jackson added.

Some 26 countries are scheduled to participate in the Caribbean Games and will compete in five sporting disciplines - boxing, netball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

The Games will be held every four years in the year immediately following the Olympic Games.

Chairperson of the Games, Dennise Demming, promised that all the top athletes from the region will be at the Games, come July.

"I am extremely pleased to be here because we're engaging in an activity that is significant to the region. I represent the Caribbean Games and I represent the dreams of the heads of our Caribbean countries," she noted.

"This whole issue of seeing our own perform on the local stage. too many of us have not seen our successful athletes perform on the local stage. We have only seen it from an American or British perspective. I, as a Caribbean person, am extremely happy to be a part of the Caribbean Games," Demming reiterated.

According to the organisers, the Caribbean has a proud history of success on the world sporting stage and it is with this legacy of sporting achievement in mind that the Caribbean Games was conceived.

It is designed to provide a platform to showcase elite regional athletes and a means of motivating young sportsmen and sportswomen to aspire to international standards and achievements.

The Games will expose Caribbean audiences to the best of Caribbean athletes.
 
By Howard Walker Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

 
abr.06.2009

Following a request from TTOC president Larry Romany. Commonwealth Games Federation secretary general Louise Martin visited T&T last week to do an audit on the protocol plans for the inaugural Caribbean Games.

While here Mrs Martin paid a courtesy call on President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago his Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards.

 
abr.10.2009

Class: Junior
Hometown: Diego Martin, Trinidad
 
URI junior is one of 356 student-athletes nationwide who will attend the leadership event  April 8, 2009  KINGSTON, R.I. - AnAnanda Fraser was chosen as a finalist to represent the University of Rhode Island at the NCAA National Leadership Conference held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
 
Fraser, a junior on the women's track and field team from Diego Martin, Trinidad, is one 356 student-athletes nationwide who will participate in the Leadership Conference. The NCAA committee received 1,308 nominations from 330 institutions. The selection committee at URI selected four student-athletes to nominate and the NCAA committee chose Fraser as URI's representative.
 
This past winter, Fraser, who was a former URI gymnast, took second in the triple jump at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Indoor Track and Field Championships with a leap of 39 feet, 4 inches. Fraser concluded the year by posting a personal-best indoor leap of 41-3 to take third at the ECAC championships.
From May 24 through May 27, 356 representatives from Division I, II, and III colleges or universities will participate in daily exercises and activities to help them develop as individuals and as contributing members to a group.
 
Each of the student-athletes will also have an opportunity to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The leadership conference promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.
 
This year's other nominees were Ben Eaves (men's basketball), David Kennedy (men's track and field) and Megan Nephinsky (women's rowing).

abr.19.2009

“Sports is the best way of engaging every human being. It’s a way of integrating our people.” Bolivia President Evo Morales lives by this testament and yesterday urged his 33 Heads of Government counterparts at the Fifth Summit of the Americas that sports and youth were the catalyst that integrated the world, when all else had failed.

His admission came at a news press conference yesterday at the International Financial Centre, Port-of-Spain, after he was asked by a foreign journalist what message he had for the Summit and for the youth.

A fan of football star Diego Maradonna and a player himself, Morales admitted that sports was the driving force behind the integration of many countries and this is what was needed in the Summit. “I am a soccer fan...I love sports,” he said, his face sparkling as he spoke. “I have a history. I come from a group of youth who love soccer.” He also drew reference to Barack Obama, who was elected as America’s 44th President, stating that the people who voted for him have formed a new integration. “It’s a new forum of integration,” he pointed out. Morales said sports was the best way of engaging every human being across the globe and some countries were testament of this, especially those that were loved for its football skills.

Sports, he said, captures the attention of any movement at any place, any time. “Youths and sports created solidarity,” he continued. He said youth and children were not the future. “They are the present. When we are young we are agitators. We look for unity and dignity. They also have to be responsible.” Morales also noted that women who partcipated in sporting events attracted more attention from the public not because of their sex, but for their football talent. “They have the greatest support.”

 
abr.20.2009

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee( TTOC) president Larry Romany has congratulated Bolivia president Evo Morales for making sure sport was mentioned at the 5th Summit of the Americas which was held in Port.Of.Spain,Trinidad last weekend
"There was widespread concern within the local sport community that at such an important hemispheric forum .Sport was noticeably absent from the agenda.I had hoped that Sport would have been seen as a vital part of the efforts to bring about sustainable development and the battle to eradicate poverty.So I was very happy that President Morales gave sport such a ringing endorsement.He saved the day for sport"

Romany believes that sport needs to be addressed in a meaningful way.'It is not just a case of throwing money at sport.It is even more important that there be a deep seated understanding of what is required to develop sport and that sport is not only about elite and elite level competition."

President Morales at a news press conference on Saturday told his 33 Heads of Government counterparts at the Fifth Summit of the Americas that sports and youth were the catalyst that integrated the world, when all else had failed.
His [ Morales]admission came after he was asked by a foreign journalist what message he had for the Summit and for the youth.

abr.21.2009

Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA) and Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany says Caribbean Rugby nations need to be given the opportunity to once again participate in the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens competition.
 
Since 2002  it has become near impossible for Caribbean teams to qualify for the prestigious Commonwealth Games as an emphasis on the World's top ranked teams rugby 7s teams has seen Canada with a clear advantage .
 
"In addition to Canada the IRB needs to allow the number one ranked English Caribbean team entry to the Commonwealth Games.There is no way the growth of the game in the Caribbean can be encouraged if the Caribbean has no realistic access to the Commonwealth Games"
 
 Romany says it has been a frustrating experience since 2002 trying to get  the Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF) and the International Rugby Board (IRB) to address the situation.
 
" My research has shown that the Caribbean rugby nations have no opportunity to earn IRB World  Seven series points.My concern is that with no opportunity to earn a world ranking.What then is the situation? not that the Caribbean has no chance?.There needs to be greater equity in the process" said Romany
 
Romany made the point that with rugby seeking to regain Olympic Status universality is an important concept for  the IRB to embrace.
 
''Like all other sports,exposure to high level competition is vital for Caribbean rugby.The sport is on the Pan Am Games programme and it is more than likely that it will also be on the Central America and Caribbean Games(CAC) programme but the fact of life is that the World's best rugby teams are in the Commonwealth Games.I am urging the IRB and the Commonwealth Games Federation to allow the Caribbean rugby nations access to the rugby sevens competition in next years Commonwealth Games in Delhi" said Romany

abr.21.2009

The International Rugby Board (IRB) today announced that last month’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai shattered all previous tournament broadcast records.

The historic tournament, which was the first to incorporate a 16-team women’s event running alongside the men’s competition, was broadcast to 760 million people in 141 countries through 29 international broadcasters in 19 languages.

The figures, released by the IRB’s broadcast managers ProActive Television, show that total coverage of the world’s premier men’s and women’s Sevens tournament has increased exponentially with 827 hours screened over the three days of competition. This was up 141 percent on the figure for the 2005 event in Hong Kong, which was the most-watched Rugby event of the year. Live coverage also increased from 222 hours in 2005 to 379 hours.

“Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai was a resounding success. Its winning formula of exciting, explosive action, competitive matches, world class men’s and women’s players and plenty of spectacular tries was a major hit with broadcasters the world over and has proven highly successful in reaching out to new audiences,” said IRB President Bernard Lapasset.

“The figures clearly show that while Sevens continues to grow in traditional markets such as Europe and Oceania, there has been significant growth across emerging markets such as North and South America, Asia and Africa where live coverage of the tournament was more than double that of 2005 levels."

“Today’s announcement is another positive step for us and highlights a global enthusiasm for Rugby Sevens at a time when the Game is reaching out for Olympic Games inclusion and illustrating to the Olympic Family its remarkable following around the world,” added Lapasset.

The previous television broadcast record was set at the 2005 tournament in Hong Kong where a truly memorable event was broadcast to 300 million homes worldwide, in 125 countries through 20 international broadcasters.

The Rugby Sevens success story is underpinned by the IRB Sevens World Series, the popular grand prix style championship comprising eight international events, which this year is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The 2007/08 Series was the most successful to date, televised in 135 countries by 33 international broadcasters and reaching 223 million homes in 13 different languages.

Notes to editors:

€ Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai was the fifth RWC Sevens tournament following Scotland (1993), Hong Kong (1997 2005) and Argentina (2001). The tournament featured 40 teams from 31 countries, playing in 98 matches over three days – the largest ever IRB tournament.
€ Wales won the men’s competition for the first time, while Australia lifted the inaugural women’s competition. The Cup quarter finals of the men’s tournament saw the exit of pre-event favourites South Africa, England, New Zealand and Fiji with Kenya, Argentina, Samoa and Wales all qualifying for the semi finals, highlighting Sevens’ truly competitive format.
€ The Women's teams from Brazil, Thailand and Uganda made history by becoming the first teams from their respective countries to compete at a Rugby World Cup, having impressed in their regional qualifying tournaments.
€ Total attendance for the three days in Dubai totalled 80,000.

 
abr.29.2009

Eight months after the Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday that blood samples from six athletes who competed there had tested positive for a banned substance.

The I.O.C. said seven blood samples from six athletes had come back positive for CERA, a new generation of the blood-booster EPO, a drug that stimulates bone marrow to produce more oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Those results came after retroactive testing of 948 blood and urine samples provided by athletes in Beijing.

The I.O.C. said in a statement that it would not name the athletes “due to the presumption of innocence” and would notify the athletes through their national Olympic committees.

The testing primarily focused on athletes who had competed in endurance events, like cycling, rowing, swimming and track and field.

“The further analysis of the Beijing samples that we conducted should send a clear message that cheats can never assume that they have avoided detection,” Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the I.O.C.’s medical commission, said in a statement Tuesday.

The Italian Olympic Committee said that one of the athletes who tested positive for CERA was Italian, a male athlete it declined to name.

Because of CERA’s ability to give an endurance athletes the oxygen boost they often need, the World Anti-Doping Agency prepared early for abuse of it. The agency worked closely with the pharmaceutical company that made CERA to develop a test for the drug.

“You’d figure cyclists would have learned their lesson, but that’s not always a smart assumption,” said Dick Pound, an I.O.C. member and the former chief of the antidoping agency.

The I.O.C. conducted 4,770 doping tests in Beijing, the most drug tests performed at an Olympics. The organization’s policy is to store Olympic athletes’ blood and urine samples for eight years after the Games.

That gives the I.O.C. the opportunity to retest those samples if a test is developed for a previously undetectable drug. World Anti-Doping Agency rules say a doping case can be brought against an athlete within eight years of a violation.

This time around, it took about four months after the Olympics for the I.O.C. to use new tests on the samples that had been stored.

In January, the I.O.C. said it would recheck urine and blood samples from the Beijing Games. Laboratories accredited by the antidoping agency subsequently performed tests for CERA on 847 samples. Also, a test for insulin was used on 101 samples, but no positive results were found.

Before those samples were tested at labs in Paris and Lausanne, Switzerland, nine Olympic athletes in Beijing had tested positive for banned substances.

A 10th athlete was the Greek racewalker Athanasia Tsoumeleka, a former Olympic champion who had finished ninth in the 20K race in Beijing.

In January, Tsoumeleka — who had won the gold medal in the 20K walk at the 2004 Athens Olympics — announced that she had tested positive for CERA during the I.O.C.’s retesting of samples.

Earlier this month, a Greek prosecutor charged Tsoumeleka with breaking Greece’s antidoping laws.

“We suggest that athletes who may be tempted to cheat keep this reality in mind,” John Fahey, chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, in a statement on the agency’s Web site. “We believe that retrospective testing serves as a strong deterrent.”
 
By JULIET MACUR www.nytimes.com

may.01.2009

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee [TTOC]held its 63rd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 29th April 2009 at the Courtyard Marriott,Invaders Bay,Port.of.Spain.
In accord with the TTOC's Constitution in the year following the Summer Olympic Games a General meeting is held immediately following the Annual General Meeting. At this General Meeting the only item on the agenda is the election of officers .
Attorney-at-law Dave Williams was the returning officer .

The TTOC Executive for the 2009-2012 Quadrennial period :
President- Mr.Michael Romany
Vice President-Dr.Ian Hypolite
Vice-President- Mrs Annette Knott
Vice-President-Mr.Mushtaque Mohammed
Hon.Secretary General-Mr.Brian Lewis
Hon.Asst.Secretary General- Mr.Wendell Labastide
Hon. Treasurer-Mrs.Jacqui Romany(No relation)
Executive Member- Mr.Vincent Perreira
Executive Member-Mr.Michael Valentine
Executive Member-Mr.Michael Phillips
Immediate Past President-Mr.Douglas Camacho
Trustee- Mr.Elton Prescott SC
Trustee- Mr.Kerston Coombs

may.02.2009

Re-elected Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Larry Romany is looking forward to serving out his final term as the national Olympic committee chief- the TTOC Constitution imposes a two term limit for executive committee officers with the exception of the office of secretary-general.

Romany acknowledges that the global economic crisis will create a challenge during the upcoming term .However he is confident that the TTOC executive has the knowledge,experience , dedication , skill set and integrity to thrive and not just weather the "storm".

Economic matters aside,the first order of business for the TTOC is the upcoming Caribbean Games.

"The TTOC has been given the honour and privilege by CANOC(Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees) to host the inaugural games.We have the support of the government through the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.There are challenges but the games has significant inference for the Caribbean Olympic movement.We cannot drop the baton and fail to honour the trust of CANOC" said Romany.

Romany confirmed that the Caribbean Games has received the approval of all the International Federations that govern the five sports on the inaugural programme.

" TTOC's focus is on hosting a fantastic and sustainable games that is in keeping with the ideals and values of the Olympic movement.We also have to ensure that the T&T team is well prepared ."

The T&T Olympic leader believes that successful performances at the Caribbean Games by the T&T team will capture the imagination of the T&T public and generate tremendous excitement and interest.

Following the Caribbean Games will be the 2010 CAC,2010 Commonwealth,2011 Pan Am and 2012 London Olympic games.In addition there is the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic next year ,2011 Commonwealth Youth and the World University games.

" I don't know if people really appreciate the scale,scope and volume of work that the TTOC has to do.Add in the numerous programmes ,courses and workshops that we run. It is a tall order but the satisfaction comes from knowing that the Olympic Movement is making a positive difference through the use of Sport and Olympism".

may.10.2009

Steve Stoute, president of the Caribbean Association National Olympic Committees (CANOC) will visit T&T tomorrow to evaluate T&T’s readiness for the inaugural Caribbean Games which will be held 12-19 July.

Stoute who is also President of the Barbados Olympic Association will meet with the Caribbean Games 2009 Local Organizing Committee, TTOC president Larry Romany and the Minister of Sport Gary Hunt or his representatives.

Romany said that the visit by the CANOC president is not "out of the ordinary" but a routine part of the process within the Olympic Movement.

"The count down is well and truly on.We have 64 days to go.CANOC is the rights owner of the Caribbean Games and therefore it is the norm for evaluation visits to be made. I am not worried -the LOC, TTOC and the Ministry of Sport are working hard to deliver a well organized multi-sport Games that is in accord with the Olympic Charter. Its historic .There are challenges but we will rise to the occasion"

"Measures are in place to make sure that the Caribbean Games operate within budget. The economic down turn has meant that some belt tightening has had to take place. The procurement policy is transparent and accountable in keeping with best practice standards ."

The T&T Olympic leader reminded that the Caribbean Games LOC has benefited from expert assistance from Brazil, Canada and Scotland.

“In addition to the LOC.The TTOC has drawn on the hands on experience of international colleagues who have successfully bid for and staged multi sport events to provide insights into the myriad issues around major event management. I am confident that the Caribbean Games is on course .Whatever concerns there may be will be satisfactorily address. Where we need to improve we will acknowledge and do so."

may.21.2009

The re-scheduled Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee(CANOC) Caribbean Games evaluation visit will take place this week-end.T&T is scheduled to host the inagurual Caribbean Games from 12-19 July.

Steve Stoute and other executive members of CANOC will travel to T&T to visit the facilities and hold meetings with the Local Organizing Committee and the TTOC .
At the end of their visit CANOC will announce the results and their findings regarding T&T's state of readiness to host the historic Games.

The CANOC Executive is

Steve Stoute(Barbados)-President

Alfred Emmanuel (St Lucia)-Treasuer

Don Anderson (Jamicai)

Larry Davis (Bahamas)

Angel Morales (US Virgin Islands

John Lewis (british Virgin Islands)

Elton Prescott(T&T)-Secretary

may.22.2009

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC)president Larry Romany has expressed satisfaction with the support that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is giving to the upcoming Caribbean Games. "The Government and Minister of Sport's support for the games remains undiminished.From inception they have supported the vision and mission underpinning the Caribbean Games.The shared values with the Olympic Movement for the role of sport in the harmonious development of mankind and the youth of the nation and region has proved a vital focal point"said Romany

Romany though is not taking for granted the challenges of the current economic downturn and asserted that this year's Caribbean Games would not come off were it not for the T&T's Government resolute commitment.

"Minister Hunt has stood firm in his resolve and the TTOC appreciates his ongoing consideration and support"

Meanwhile,the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees(CANOC) arrives in T&tT today and will visit facilities in Trinidad and the sister isle of Tobago this weekend.

While not anticipating what the evaluation result will be.Romany,however, is confident that CANOC will be encouraged by the progress made to date.

"Staging a multi-sport Games is complex.Outside of the experience of those who have participated in the Olympic ,Commonwealth,Pan Am and CAC Games there is no reference point for what it entails.In many ways it is a leap of faith that requires self belief ,a willingness to address difficult issues and clarity of thought and vision"

The inaugural Caribbean Games will be held in T&T 12-19 July.

 
may.22.2009

Former Springbok Sevens star Fabian Juries and World Cup winning centre Jean de Villiers have joined forces in their support of the International Rugby Board’s campaign for the introduction of Rugby Sevens into the Olympic programme.

The IRB believes Rugby Sevens is the ideal form of Rugby for Olympic inclusion, with a proven and very successful record in similar multi-sports Games such as the Commonwealth Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on which two sports to include in the Olympic Games in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2009.

De Villiers, who started his international career in 2002 on the Sevens circuit, has developed into one of the world’s leading centres and has a Rugby World Cup, IRB Under 21 World Championship and Tri Nations winners’ medals to his name.

The Springbok centre, who is the SA Rugby Player of the Year, believes that a Rugby event at the greatest sporting event on the planet will further add to the sporting spectacle which runs every four years.

“I am definitely all for the introduction of Rugby Sevens into the Olympic Games. I would be one of the first players to admit that it would be great for Rugby players to one day end their career with an Olympic Games and World Cup gold medal to their name,” said De Villiers.

Most exciting spectacles

“The Sevens game is both exciting and fun, easy to watch and understand and will be a great attraction at the Olympic Games. Rugby Sevens has become one of the most exciting spectacles on the annual sporting calendar and while the game has grown around the world, the competitiveness of the various countries competing on the Sevens circuit has exploded.

“What sport fans want to see is entertainment and I believe Rugby Sevens will give Olympic spectators exactly that.”

Juries, who is one of the leading try-scorers of all-time in IRB Sevens history with 173, echoed De Villiers’ sentiments and called for the International Olympic Campaign to introduce Rugby Sevens into the Olympic Games.

“Rugby Sevens has so much to offer and will definitely add to the spectacle of the Olympic Games,” said Juries.

“The various Sevens tournaments around the world have all turned into successful events and while it is a fantastic form of the game for Rugby players, it is also an enjoyable sport for spectators – those who have knowledge of Rugby and those new to the game as well. It has a great ability to attract new audiences. ”

Rugby Sevens was given a massive boost for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games after the highly successful three-day Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March. Twenty-four teams competed in the men’s competition with Wales defeating Argentina in the final to be crowned champions, while Australia beat rivals New Zealand in the inaugural women’s competition played alongside the men’s.
 
Source: www.irb.com

 
 
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may.24.2009

Steve Stoute,president the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) is happy with Trinidad and Tobago's progress for the Caribbean Games.

Yesterday, the CANOC Executive Committee visited each of the Trinidad venues--namely the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Jean Pierre Complex and Woodbrook Youth Facility in Port of Spain, as well as UWI SPEC and Saith Park in Chaguanas-to assess their readiness to host the Games.

After a close look at all the major facilities: including the track, seating, electrical system, gym, medical facilities, roofing and foundation, Stoute gave a favourable review of what he had seen for the three Port of Spain venues. "There were some concerns that the venues may not have been ready at the time, but things are on stream, and basically we should be ready," said Stoute .

While there is still a lot to be done at the Stadium, the Jean Pierre Complex and the Woodbrook venue, which will host track and field, netball and boxing respectively. At the 'Hasely Crawford', the roof of the main stand has been replaced, and, according to SPORTT (Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago) project manager Earl Wilson, the repairs on the concrete tiers that make up that stand, are "70 per cent" done.

The electrical work is on schedule and the PA system has been redone, and the plumbing revamped.

The Jean Pierre Complex and Woodbrook Youth Facilities have less repairs scheduled, with the Complex having its outdoor surface repaired while the indoor surface is being replaced. The concrete tiers are also being repaired before seats are re-inserted. The Woodbrook court louvers need replacing and there are other minor adjustments to be done before it can be transformed into a boxing centre.

Stoute was happy with what he had observed. at the venues.

"We're impressed with works being done. Seems like an all out effort is being made to ready the venues for the Games," Stoute told the media.

He also commended T&T for taking the "initiative" to host the inaugural regional Games, with five different disciplines: boxing, track and field, volleyball (indoor and beach), netball and tennis.

"We laud T&T in taking the initiative in hosting the Caribbean games," he stated. "It's something we talked about for a long, long time. CANOC is indebted to T&T for stepping up to the plate and hosting the Caribbean Games. It's also a win-win situation, with the legacy work being done here."

"With the participation of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic in boxing and volleyball, you will see sport of a very, very high standard," he added.

The CANOC team will conclude the tour today with a visit to the venue for the tennis competiton at Shaw Park in Tobago.
 
Source: www.irb.com

may.25.2009

 

CANDICE Scott, undoubtedly one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most admired athletes has been forced to make a decision that has left her close to tears. Having made her name in the Hammer Throw only on international grounds, Scott’s only chance to showcase her talent in front of her family, friends and supporters at the first ever Caribbean Games July 12-19, has been dashed by lingering injuries to both her right and left knees.

“You would not know how frustrating it is for me right now, but it is a decision that has been postponed for far too long and it’s doing nothing for me” she told the Caribbean Games.

It is even more unfortunate that her decision comes at a time when government officials have agreed to make arrangements for the Hammer Throw to be possible on local soil - something never before seen. At the popular Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo or either of the four Stadia that were constructed particularly as a requirement for Trinidad and Tobago to host the FIFA Under-17 World Cup back in 2001, there were no facilities for the Hammer Throw to take place. This will now be possible for the first time at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for the inaugural Caribbean Games and future field events that will be held there.

Scott has been a leading athlete in T&T’s field events, as she won the hammer throw at the Senior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games event in Cuba last year and shattered the record with a throw of 70.21 metres. She had earned herself the ninth best position in the world after finishing in that position at the Athens Greece Olympic Games in 2004 and received a similar rating (ninth) at the World Championship Games a year later (2005) in Finland.

The enthusiastic Scott also missed out on eclipsing the record for the event at the Finnish World Championship last year. But for all her grand achievements that have been continuing to fly the red, white and black of Trinidad &Tobago so proudly, very little is known about the pain that the attractive smiling Scott has had to endure. She feels that because of her flat feet and slightly touching knees, that the swinging movement attributed to the hammer throw, has erupted cartilage and tendon and it is continuing to cause Scott severe discomfort.
As a result Scott, though still in the prime of her career, has already undergone three surgeries to her right knee and two to her left. She has now been advised that another operation will increase the risk of arthritis in her later years.

“It is very painful for me right now and it will be even worse when I see my colleagues participating at the Caribbean Games. I really really wanted to compete at the regional competition because I expect so much from it.”

In the Hammer Throw she expects regional powerhouse Cuba and Puerto Rico to step forward as the big teams. “I have trained with a number of athletes from Cuba and Puerto Rico so I would have loved to be involved in the challenge.” It was her struggle with her knee injuries that led to her early exit from the 2008 Olympic Games in BeijingChina. Preparation for this Olympic Games was also stopped prematurely while training abroad. In Cuba in 2006 Scott’s work-out had to grind to a halt prematurely after experiencing severe discomfort in the knees and then last year in Finland where practice was also cut-short.

She admits to setting aside her personal betterment to compete under severe strain for T&T at major competitions. “I think enough is enough. I have to deal with this problem for once and for all, to attempt to strengthen my knees.”

Scott has since been on a rehabilitation programme since January and expects to be fully fit by December this year. She makes regular trips to the University of the West Indies Campus recreation ground to do light workout daily. Strangely, Scott’s involvement in sport began as a Shot Putter before she made the change many years ago.

Scott is embracing the opportunity of having the Hammer Throw here on local soil and wants to do more than show her talent in the sport. “I want to stay here in Trinidad and Tobago and train because I want to pave the way for the younger athletes to get involved in the Hammer Throw. I may even consider getting involved in coaching the sport some day” Scott said.

Apart from the Hammer Throw the Caribbean Games will also feature action in Boxing, Netball, Tennis, Volleyball (Beach and Court) and Track and Field.