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

Trinidad and Tobago’s cycling success through Njisane Phillip at the London 2012 Olympics has been paying dividends in terms of growing the sport.

So says Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) vice-president Gregory Dandrade, who is also the TTCF’s racing committee chairman.

According to Dandrade, Phillip’s performances—including upsets of world top five riders, Germany’s Robert Forstemann and Denis Dimitriev of Russia—have helped heightenA interest in the sport, causing more parents to bring their children into the sport, and to be more involved with their children’s cycling.

Dandrade is very much encouraged over the changes, including more girls competing in the sport, and better times as well. Keiana Lester of Bike Smith is one such example. She has twice smashed the girls junior sprint record this year, and her times have been more impressive than the senior riders.

Lester, 16, will join Aziza Browne and Kollyn St George at the Pan American Junior Championships next month in Aguascalientes, Mexico as the T&T ladies sprint team, with standout junior sprinter Justin Roberts and Samuel Mahabir making up the boys’ team. They will be coached by Clinton Grant and managed by Gary Acosta.

They will be competing in the sprint, keirin, team sprint and individual time trial (one kilometre for junior men, 500 metres for ladies) events. The team will leave T&T on July 2 for the Championships, which will be staged between July 7 and 12.

T&T’s cyclists have generally been getting more exposure on an international front. Phillip, who stole the show in the match sprint at the recent UCI Festival of Speed in the US, is now off to Germany for a training stint, ahead of European Grand Prix competition. With him are fellow sprinters Kwesi Browne and Azikiwe Kellar and endurance rider Varun Maharaj, who all competed in the US event.

On the other side of the world, Team DPS—with sprinters Quincy Alexander, Haseem McLean and Roberts, as well as Jovian Gomez (endurance events)—departed T&T for China, where they will test their skills in an international Grand Prix event as they seek to accrue enough points to join the World Cup circuit.

It seems these are good times for local cycling.

“I don’t think you can compare (what’s happening in cycling now to five years ago),” Dandrade reasoned. “You can see more involvement, parents are more involved, pushing their children. The kids are willing to go forward.

“With the Federation’s help and the Sports Company (SPORTT), a lot of funding is involved, so we will have to support the teams outside. I don’t know how we will do it, but we have to find a way. We have to work (on) development and with the elite cyclists as well.”

Dandrade also pointed out that the great exposure for cyclists has resulted in greater competition among them.

“Justin will be a senior next year, so he will add value to the team. They will all step up, so the competition will be harder and you still seeing improvement. Even Azikiwe move up to 11.0, Njisane set bar 10.7 (at Arima Velodrome). You see a lot of improvement and the young fellars coming at it.”

He is also expecting good performances at the Pan Am Juniors.

“I’m very positive about the team,” Dandrade said. “I know Justin Roberts in the males will bring back a medal, and I’m confident the girls will do something (good). I expect a couple medals from the girls. We had them training with (Clinton) Grant for a month, and they’ve been doing really well.”

Source

Right intention, wrong process.

That’s how Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee described his decision to hire Stephen Hart as senior national head coach at the expense of previous co-head coaches Jamaal Shabazz and Hutson Charles.

While Charles—who has been T&T head coach for over a year, including eight months alongside Shabazz—and Derek King have been included in the technical team as assistant coaches to Hart, Shabazz has declined the offer.

Tim Kee stated yesterday at a press conference to officially unveil Hart as national coach—who subsequently had his first training session with the team at Hasely Crawford Stadium—that in retrospect, he would have handled the changeover differently.

Tim Kee also conceded that since his tenure began in November last year he had made some mistakes, but said he was learning.

The TTFA head remarked that a lot of comments and speculation had been made in the media after he had been spotted with former T&T coach Leo Beenhakker at the team’s recent outing away to Romania, most of which he said was untrue.

Tim Kee said his decision to replace Charles and Shabazz did not mean they were “not good enough”. But he added that if the TTFA’s latest move did not pan out, he would be the first to apologise for it.

Tim Kee said Beenhakker was not an original target of the TTFA, but he made the decision after a friendly chat with the Dutchman during the T&T/Romania encounter. Hart, he said, was among the coaching profiles shown to Beenhakker, as the former T&T coach had requested, and he agreed with Beenhakker’s assessment. But that was not his sole reason for the change, he said.

“Given the time frame we had for this Gold Cup, and that I saw an opportunity for the coaches to get some assistance, I agreed for his inclusion in the technical staff for the position of head coach,” Tim Kee said. “All this time, all I was thinking about is assisting our coaches.”

He touted Hart’s experience at the CONCACAF level, pointing out that as Canada coach, Hart had presided over 45 matches, with 20 wins, ten draws and 15 losses. That experience, he felt, would be a bonus for the national team.

“We cannot go to the Gold Cup and be disgraced,” Tim Kee stressed, adding that Hart has already “walked that [CONCACAF] terrain”.

About Shabazz’s decision to decline an offer for assistant coach, Tim Kee said he understood the former Guyana coach’s decision, and said he might have made the same call in that position. He said he did ask Shabazz to stay on, and left the door wide open for some future role for the Caledonia AIA technical director.

Tim Kee also said many changes were coming to the TTFA, including a new constitution, which is currently being hammered out.

New marketing thrusts, he said, are in the works to improve the fortunes of the team, and also to pay off the “millions” in debts to in excess of 100 creditors.

He did point out, though, that the Ministry of Sport committed to assisting T&T’s Gold Cup efforts, inclusive of paying coaches, including Shabazz and Charles, who had been working without salary for months.

Source

Early reality check from head coach Hart

Newly-installed national senior football team head coach Stephen Hart wants his new charges to think “process…not prize”.

That is what he is aiming to achieve in the next two years leading the national team, after he was selected at the expense of co-coaches Hutson Charles and Jamaal Shabazz. Charles and former national player Derek King will be Hart’s deputies, while Shabazz has turned down the role.

But with only two weeks until the CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off on July 7 in the US—where T&T will hope to advance from a group also involving Haiti, Honduras and El Salvador—the former Canada coach conceded he can do little more than to assess the players and try to help them to prepare mentally for the challenge ahead.

Hart made it plain that he is “not a miracle worker”, and acknowledged that football coaches “do not deal in a business of patience”.

“It is the nature of the business,” he said.

The new T&T coach, who said he was only invited for the job just over a week ago, light-heartedly remarked that he knew of one person eager to see him back in T&T: his mother.

T&T Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee stated that Hart had not officially inked a contract yet, but he has hit the ground running with his first training session at Hasely Crawford Stadium, following yesterday’s press conference to officially present him as T&T head coach. He will also work with new TTFA director of football Leo Beenhakker, who will have a six-month stint in the position in the first instance.

Hart, who says he has “rarely” missed T&T matches despite having lived in Canada for some time, is happy to be back to head T&T’s technical team.

“It’s always in the back of a youngster’s mind to be involved with the national team. I had the opportunity as a player but did not seize it. Now I have an opportunity once again,” he told the media.

From what he’s seen of the players so far, Hart feels that they “try too hard”. He wants to help them get in the “right frame of mind”.

In just about two weeks’ time, Hart will have his first competitive chance to show his short-term impact, as T&T try to qualify for the knockout stages of the Gold Cup.

It will be no doubt a trial by fire with a team laden with expectation by a close-watching T&T public.

Source

There are many people who look to the future of T&T and don’t like what they see. They suggest that the inability of the society to find incorruptible and effective leaders sincere in placing first the national interest and cause, the destruction and decay of our institutions and pervasive bobol are signs that the future is not a bright one.

 

The cynics, realists and pragmatic amongst us hold the view that the performance of civic duty is discouraged given the milieu of destroy what can’t be controlled, vindictiveness, collusion, mamaguy, hypocrisy, dishonesty and insincerity.

 

Independent, strong, effective organisations and institutions aren’t a desired objective .

 

Self restraint, convention, protocol and ethics are damned. Categorical denials seem more manipulative than sincere.

 

Sport is caught in the crossfire.

 

The doomsday pundits and naysayers are having a field day. Is the hopelessness fueled by a disregard for history? Do we take the struggles of our pioneers and institutions for granted?

 

Have we forgotten that latrine pits and barrack yards were once daily realities while television, electricity and motor cars were luxuries for the masses?

 

Have we allowed the material wealth and conspicuous consumption of an oil and natural gas economy to lull us into a false sense of security and an over reaching sense of entitlement?

 

Cynics and cynicism aside. How do we forge the values, discipline, attitude and fortitude that will foster the quality of life and peace of mind that all right thinking human beings crave?

 

No matter how we dissect, discuss and debate the needed transformation process. It falls to the youth of the nation and youth development.

 

It’s the youth of the nation who hold in their hearts and minds the peace, progress and sustainable development of T&T.

 

Those who care about the welfare of T&T and the national cause must act with a sense of urgency and focus their minds and efforts on the youth of the nation.

 

There is need for a deepening of commitment in respect of youth development.

 

Invest more time, money, energy and effort in the youth of the nation. Meet them at the point of their need and hurt. Hear their cries and feel their pain. They are the future leaders and nation builders.

 

In this regard it was heartwarming to witness firsthand the joy and excitement of some 400 children from primary schools, homes and communities at the Chagville Beach facility during the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Olympic Day event on Saturday.

 

The TTOC with the help of its corporate partners BPTT and the Guardian Group of Companies transported the children to Chagville and back, provided refreshments during the day while the national sport organisations introduced them to a diverse menu of sporting activities.

 

All aimed at giving the children a fun filled experience that will plant the seed of lifelong health and wellness.

 

The hard working and dedicated TTOC staff received invaluable support and cooperation from the Chaguaramas Development Authority, Police Service, Defence Force physical training instructors, Buzz Concepts, national sport organisations, coaches, sport administrators and service providers.

 

The focus of the TTOC’s annual Olympic Day celebrations is on the youth.

 

Just as all other areas of national life—the future of sport, health and wellness and healthy lifestyle choices, depend on the youth of the nation.

 

Cynicism will not solve our problems. An unwavering belief in the potential and talent of the youth of the nation is the recipe for a better, safer, healthier, happier and progressive T&T.

Brian Lewis is the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC).

 

For more information on the Olympic movement, Olympic values and Olympism visit http://www.ttoc.org.

Source

Baptiste breaks 200 record


For the second time in as many days, Kelly-Ann Baptiste left the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain with a new national record.

Baptiste blazed to victory in yesterday’s NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National Open Track and Field Championship women’s 200 metres final in an impressive 22.36 seconds. The clocking was 19-hundredths of a second faster than the previous Trinidad and Tobago record of 22.55, established by Semoy Hackett last year.

With the 22.36 run, Baptiste is now joint-fourth on the 2013 world performance list, with reigning Olympic champion Allyson Felix of the United States and Ivory Coast sprinter Murielle Ahoure.

By the time she came off the bend, Baptiste was in full control of yesterday’s half-lap final. She motored to the line, getting home well ahead of Hackett, the silver medallist in 22.98. Kai Selvon clocked 23.05 to bag bronze.

On Saturday, Baptiste retained her 100m title with a 10.83 scorcher—a new national record and the fastest time in the world this year.

“Definitely more excited about my 200 than I am about my 100,” Baptiste told the Express, “because I have been trying to piece together a great 200 for a long time. To come out here today and to be able to kind of figure it out, and run a good time behind that, I feel really good about that performance.”

Lalonde Gordon was also a satisfied athlete yesterday. The Olympic men’s 400m bronze medallist captured the national 200m title with a fast 20.26 seconds run—a new personal record (PR). Kyle Greaux and Jereem Richards picked up silver and bronze, respectively, clocking 20.57 and 20.72.

“Big PR, so I’m very, very happy,” said Gordon. “I just wanted to go out there and do something big. I haven’t been doing that for the whole year. I’m just trying to push myself and get back on pace.

“Right now,” Gordon continued, “I’m lacking a lot of speed work. I don’t know how I run that time. That was a shock.”

Jehue Gordon was dominant in the men’s 400m hurdles. The former world junior champion turned for home with a huge cushion on the field. He tightened up a bit in the final stages of the race, but still recorded a big victory.

Gordon clocked 49.25 seconds, while second-placed Emmanuel Mayers got home in 50.50.

Sparkle McKnight topped the women’s 400m hurdles field in 56.59 seconds.

The men’s 800m title was won by Jamaal James in 1:49.22, while women’s two-lap gold went to Alena Brooks in a personal best 2:05.25.

Chris Hercules emerged as men’s triple jump champion with a 16.21 metres effort. Ayanna Alexander (13.72m) did the same in the women’s triple jump. And in the men’s discus, Quincy Wilson threw 57.15m to secure the top spot.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

Men’s 200m (wind: +0.5)
1 Lalonde Gordon (Tigers) 20.26
2 Kyle Greaux (Abilene) 20.57
3 Jereem Richards (Abilene) 20.72

Women’s 200m (wind: +0.3)
1 Kelly-Ann Baptiste (Zenith) 22.36 NR, CR
2 Semoy Hackett (Zenith) 22.98
3 Kai Selvon (Air Bon Sonics) 23.05

Men’s 200m “B” race (wind: 0.0)
1 Kevin Haynes (Defence Force) 20.98
2 Stephon James (Guyana) 21.17
3 Dan-Neil Telesford (Neon Trackers) 21.59

Women’s 200m “B” race (No Wind Indicated)
1 Reyare Thomas (Neon Trackers) 23.43
2 Karene King (British Virgin Islands) 23.44
3 Ashley King (British Virgin Islands) 24.30

Men’s 800m
1 Jamaal James (Rebirth) 1:49.22
2 Mark London (Zenith) 1:50.98
3 George Smith (Defence Force) 1:53.38

Women’s 800m
1 Alena Brooks (Memphis) 2:05.25
2 Domonique Williams (Neon Trackers) 2:09.71
3 Jessica James (Neon Trackers) 2:11.22

Men’s 5000m
1 Denzel Ramirez (Unattached) 15:23.41
2 Richard Jones (Unattached) 15:34.68
3 Matthew Hagley (Defence Force) 15:34.70

Men’s 400m hurdles
1 Jehue Gordon (Memphis) 49.25
2 Emmanuel Mayers (Rebirth) 50.50
3 Ruebin Walters (Memphis) 53.21

Women’s 400m hurdles
1 Sparkle McKnight (Neon Trackers) 56.59
2 Romona Modeste (Neon Trackers) 58.56
3 Kernesha Spann (Neon Trackers) 1:00.67

Men’s high jump
1 Omari Benoit (Falcons) 2.01m
2 Mikhail Matthews (Zenith) 1.98m
2 Rodney Liverpool (Defence Force) 1.98m

Women’s long jump
1 Dorane McNee (UTT Fast Track) 5.45m
(wind: +3.8)
2 Aiesha Colthrust (Neon Trackers) 5.34m
(wind: -0.2)
3 Alisha St Louis (D’Abadie) 5.11m (wind: 0.0)

Men’s triple jump
1 Chris Hercules (Memphis) 16.21m (wind: 0.0)
2 Seon Michael Stafford (Toco TAFAC) 15.44m
(wind: -0.5)
3 Kyron Blaise (Rebirth) 14.98m (wind: -0.7)

Women’s triple jump
1 Ayanna Alexander (Unattached) 13.72m
(wind: +1.2)
2 Natrena Hooper (Guyana) 11.94m (wind: +1.4)

Women’s shot put
1 Portious Warren (Toco TAFAC) 12.87m
2 Dimonique McGruder (Athletics In Action) 12.78m
3 Chelsea James (Falcons) 12.71m

Men’s discus
1 Quincy Wilson (Rebirth) 57.15m
2 Keon Francis (UWI) 45.89m
3 Micah McNish (Striders) 42.59m

Men’s javelin
1 Shakiel Waithe (Zenith) 65.63m
2 Leslain Baird (Guyana) 65.32m
3 Precious George (Warriors) 49.90m

Men’s decathlon
1 Gayell Engeso (Suriname) 5,984 points
2 Quincy Sempai (Suriname) 5,726 points

Men’s 4x100m
1 Alpha Athletics 41.09
2 Concorde 42.01

Women’s 4x100m
1 Memphis 46.41
2 Simplex 46.62

Men’s 4x400m
1 Abilene 3:09.70
2 Guyana 3:15.57
3 Defence Force 3:15.93

Men’s 100m Masters (wind: -0.3) 
1 Andie Montique (T&T Masters) 11.36
2 Norton St Louis (Defence Force) 11.37
3 Martin Prime (ZC Athletics) 11.89

Women’s 100m Masters (wind: -2.1)
1 Angela Darceuil (Defence Force) 13.87
2 Joan Hospedales (T&T Masters) 14.51
3 Krista Francis-Raymah (ZC Athletics) 14.52

NR = National Record
CR = Championship Record

Source

Olympic finalist Kelly Anne Baptiste set her second national record in as many days when she clocked 22.36 seconds to win the Women’s 200 metres on the closing day of the NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National Track and Field Championships, to confirm her presence at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Moscow, Russia in August.

The Zenith sprinter shaved 0.19 seconds on the previous mark of 22.55 set by Semoy Hackett, who bagged silver yesterday in 22.98 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, yesterday. Air Bon Sonics’ Kai Selvon was third to cross the line in 23.05.

Baptiste completed a sprint double after blazing to national record and world leading time of 10.83 (21st on the all time list) in the 100m on Saturday.

Olympic 400m bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon made up for his disappointing fourth place finish in his signature race when he won the Men’s 200m, setting a new personal best of 20.26. The Tigers athlete beat Abilene Wildcats’ Kyle Greaux (20.57) and Jonathan Farina (20.72) for the gold.

“I’ve been doing a lot of speed work and to come out and run that time, I’m impressed with myself,” he said afterwards.

Olympic finalist Jehue Gordon had little trouble stamping his authority in the Men’s 400m Hurdles, grabbing the gold in 49.25 ahead of Rebirth’s Emmanuel Mayers (50.50) and Memphis’s Ruebin Walters was third in 53.21. Gordon also made the qualifying time for the World Championships.

Sparkle McKnight of Neon Trackers topped the women’s version of the race in a time of 56.59. Her clubmates Romona Modeste placed second in 58.56 and Kernesha Spann third in 1:00.67.

Rebirth’s Jamaal James defended his men’s 800m title recording a time of 1:49.22 to finish ahead of Mark London (1:50.98). Third was Defence Force’s George Smith (1:53.38).

Over on the field, despite the absence of Olympic Gold medallist Keshorn Walcott the competition was intense but it was Shakiel Waithe of Zenith copping the men’s javelin with a best effort of 65.63m. Leslain Baird of Guyana 65.32, earned him the silver.

Quincy Wilson of Rebirth took gold in the men’s discus event throwing 57.15 metres.

Results

Men’s 200m
1. Lalonde Gordon (Tigers) - 20.26
2. Kyle Greaux (Abilene) - 20.57 
3. Jonathan Farinha (Abilene) - 20.72

Women’s 200m
1. Kelly Anne Baptiste (Zenith) - 22.36
2. Semoy Hackett (Zenith) - 22.98
3. Kai Selvon (Air Bon Sonics) - 23.05

Men’s 400m Hurdles
1. Jehue Gordon (Memphis) - 49.25
2. Emmanuel Mayers (Rebirth) - 50.50
3. Ruebin Walters (Memphis) - 53.21

Women’s 400m Hurdles
1. Sparkle McKnight (Neon) - 56.59
2. Romona Modeste (Neon) - 58.56
3. Kernisha Spann (Neon) - 1:00.67

Men’s 800m
1. Jamaal James (Rebirth) - 1:49.22
2. Mark London (Zenith) - 1:50.98
3. George Smith (Defence Force) - 1:53:.38

Women’s 800m
1. Aleena Brooks (Memphis) - 2:05.25
2. Dominique Williams (Neon) - 2:09.71
3. Jessica James (Neon) - 2:11.22

Men’s 5000m
 1. Denzil Ramirez (Unattached) - 15:23.41
2. Richard Jones (Unattached) - 15:34.68
3. Matthew Hagley (T&T Defence Force) - 15:34.70

Men’s Javellin
1. Shakiel Waithe (Zenith) - 65.63
2. Leslain Baird (Guyana) - 65.32
3. Precious George (Warriors) - 49.90

Men’s High Jump
1. Omari Benoit (Tobago Falcon) - 2.01m
2. Mikhail MNatthews (Zenith) - 1.98m
3. Rodney Liverpool (T&T Defence Force) - 1.98m

Women’s Long Jump
1. Dorane McNee (UTT Fast Track) - 5.45m
2. Aiesha Colthrust (Neon) - 5.34m
3. Alisha St Louis (D’Abadie) - 5.11m

Men’s Discus Throw
1. Quincy Wilson (Rebirth) - 57.15m
2. Keon Francis (UWI) - 45.89m
3. Micah McNish (Striders) - 42.59m

Women’s Shot Put
1. Portious Warren (Toco) - 12.87m
2. Dominique McGruder (AIA) - 12.78m
3. Chelsea James (Tobago Falcon) - 12.71m

Men’s Triple Jump
1. Chris Hercules (Memphis) - 16.21m
2. Seon Mic Stafford (Toco) - 15.44m
3. Kyron Blaise (Rebirth) - 14.98m

Men’s Decathalon
1. Gayell Engeso 
2. Quincy Sempai

Men’s 4x100m
1. Alpha Athletics (Sterling/Sandy/Nelson/Ballantyne) - 41.09
2. Concorde (Holder/Ralph/Francis/Williams) - 42.01

Women’s 4x100m
1. Memphis Pioneers (Howell/Fermin/Parris/Joseph) - 46.41
2. Simplex (Phillip/Durant/Charles/Murray) - 46.62

Source

...T&T suffers heartbreak defeat in final

Heartbreak descended over the local rugby fraternity last evening after an improved Calypso Warriors fell to a harsh 26-18 defeat by USA South in the final of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (Nacra) Rugby Championship, at Fatima College Ground, Mucurapo Road. The win granted the resolute Americans the tier three title for the first time since their inauguration, while T&T was made to wait at least another year for regional success. T&T last won the Nacra Championship in 2008.  

The weather and ground conditions could not have been better for a final, with the exception of the odd gust of wind which made it tricky for both teams’ designated kickers. And, very little separated either side. Both teams had their share of advantages, with the 18-18 deadlock in the last 20 minutes illustrating the strength and determination of both outfits. In the end, it was a successful penalty from the pin-point outside half Lucas Baistrocchi, a constant thorn in T&T’s side, and a try from Chance Doyle with two minutes remaining in the fixture which gave victory to USA South.

The opening two tries from the home team were scored by Joseph Quashie in similar circumstances, as the centre was played the ball onto the left side on both occasions, before he outpaced a stretched and napping USA defence. Unfortunately for T&T, both of his two tries and the 46th minute try from Wayne Kelly went unconverted, in addition to a couple missed penalties from the designated kickers Kelson Figaro and Jonathan O'Connor. The match had the potential to swing strongly in favour of the host team which twice held the advantage. Leading toward the end of the first period, T&T led 13-11, but an awkward bounce wrong-footed the T&T full back Keishon Walker near to his try line, allowing USA centre Amir Khan to sprint onto for an easy try. The deadly Baistrocchi then converted as USA went into the break with a 18-13 lead. Kelly’s 46th minute equalizing try gave T&T a realistic hope of finding yet another advantage, but it again went unconverted, and no further tries or penalties were scored by the Calypso Warriors. USA South, even as it remained grounded on its back foot for almost all of the remaining 35 minutes, remained vigilant and capitalized on its rare opportunities.

Chants of “T&T, T&T” from the 200-plus supporters could not spur the team on, as its luck fell just short. Clearly deflated, T&T coach Larry Mendez rued the loss and felt his team was on the wrong end of the result, even as both teams performed to a high standard. “Coming out and losing in that final is obviously going to be a hard pill for us to swallow, particularly with the kind of preparation we put into it, with the (limited) resources that we have...” He continued, “Congratulations to USA. They played very well. (However) by no means should we have ended up in this losing position.” “The match was lost, I would think, in the (lack of implementation of the) game plan. We fell short there, and because of (a lack of) discipline. But, I think coming out of this, the players will see what it truly means to become champions. It will take a lot of commitment. Definitely what is needed is more games. It is almost impossible for a national team to have three games in a year and be successful. We need more, at least 10 games a year to almost assure success.” Several members of the 15s team will be back in training next month to begin preparation for the Nacra regional sevens tournament, which takes place in November.

Source

June 22 - Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich has finally admitted that he blood doped during his career - putting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a difficult legal position.

The German won the gold and silver medals at Sydney in 2000 in the road race and time trial but under the Olympic Charter cannot be punished because there is an eight-year statute of limitations.

The IOC's ruling Executive Board, though, set a precedent in January when they removed the bronze medal Lance Armstrong won in the time trial after he confessed to doping throughout his career, even though that was outside the statute of limitations

Ullrich's confession in German magazine, Focus, however, is far less clearcut than Armstrong's was on Oprah Winfrey.

An earlier attempt by the IOC to investigate Ullrich has already had to be dropped in 2010 because of lack of evidence.

Ullrich admitted to Focus to blood doping but denied that it was cheating, claiming that as everyone else at the time was also doing it it just allowed him to compete fairly.

Ullrich, who won the Tour de France in 1997 and finished second on five other occasions, told Focus that he was part of Dr Eufemiano Fuentes' doping programme in Madrid but said he only ever used his own blood.

Ullrich, who retired in 2007, was given a two-year ban for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for his part in the Operacion Puerto scandal and had all his results from May 2005 removed, but until now had never publicly admitted his guilt.

"Yes, I availed of Fuentes' treatments," Ullrich told Focus.

"The subject is history for me.

"I want to look forward and never back.

"Almost everyone at the time was taking performance-enhancing substances.

"I have taken nothing that was not taken by the others.

"It is only cheating for me if I get an advantage which was not the case.

"I just wanted to ensure I had an equal opportunity.

"The area where it harmed me most was regarding my public image and possible health issues - which I don't have.

"The victories still came down to talent, performance, team spirit and will to win."

Ullrich also put further pressure on Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid, the past and current Presidents of the International Cycling Union (UCI), claiming that Armstrong had been protected throughout his career.

"I always knew Lance Armstrong would not get away with it, even if he was probably for years protected by one or the other institutions and the world governing body," he told Focus.

"Neither of us thought we were guilty of anything.

"I'm not better than Armstrong but no worse.

"The great heroes of the past are today people with flaws with which we must cope."

If the IOC do decide to take action against Ullrich and strip him of his medals from Sydney 2000 then the cyclist who stands to gain most from his disqualification would be Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov, who won the silver medal in the road race.

Vinokourov won the road race at London 2012 but only having served a two-year suspension having been caught blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France.

In the time trial the IOC have already decided not to reallocate the bronze medal they stripped from Armstrong.

If they decide to also take away Ullrich's then it could leave the unprecedented situation of only one medal being awarded in the event, to the winner, Russia's Viatcheslav Ekimov, a former team-mate of Armstrong's.

Contact the writer of this story at duncan.mackay@insidethegames.biz

Source

Golden Baptiste scorches track in 10.83

Kelly-Ann Baptiste bolted to a new national record at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, yesterday, the US-based sprinter stopping the clock at 10.83 seconds to retain her NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National Open Track and Field Championship women’s 100 metres title.

Baptiste separated herself from the field early on, before pulling away for a commanding victory. The Zenith Tobago athlete bettered her own Trinidad and Tobago standard—the 10.84 clocking she had produced in Florida, USA, back in 2010.

Baptiste is now at the top of the 2013 world performance list, moving past newly-crowned US champion English Gardner and her fellow-American Barbara Pierre, both sprinters having clocked 10.85 at the US Championships in Iowa, on Friday.

Michelle-Lee Ahye was the best of the rest in yesterday’s final at the Crawford Stadium, the Rebirth sprinter clocking a personal best 11.06 seconds for silver, behind Baptiste. Bronze was bagged by Kai Selvon, in 11.23, while fourth spot went to Semoy Hackett (11.30).

Keston Bledman held on to his men’s 100m title with a wind-assisted scorcher in the final. Pushed by an illegal 3.2 metres per second following wind, the Simplex speedster got to the line in 9.86 seconds. Richard “Torpedo” Thompson finished second in 9.91, and Rondel Sorrillo clocked 9.99 to secure third spot.

Bledman led all qualifiers into the final with a windy 10.05 run in the first of three semifinal heats.

On Friday, Bledman was disqualified for a false start in his preliminary round heat, but ran under protest and won the race in 10.19. He also won the protest, and was free to compete in the semis.

Deon Lendore continued his fine run of form this season with an impressive victory in the men’s 400m final.

Jarrin Solomon looked threatening in the one-lap showdown, but when the athletes turned for home, it was Lendore who had the advantage. Renny Quow was in hot pursuit. Lendore, though, was strong enough to repel Quow’s challenge.

Solomon dug deep into his reserves to produce a superb finish, but could not overhaul Lendore, the 2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) silver medallist securing gold in 45.29 seconds.

Solomon clocked 45.34, the second fastest time of his career, to pick up silver. And Quow bagged bronze in 45.65, finishing just ahead of Lalonde Gordon, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist copping fourth spot in 45.67.

The Championships continue from 2.30 this afternoon, at the Crawford Stadium.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

Men’s 100m (wind: +3.2)

1 Keston Bledman (Simplex) 9.86

2 Richard Thompson (Rebirth) 9.91

3 Rondel Sorrillo (La Brea Athletics) 9.99


Women’s 100m (wind: +1.6)

1 Kelly-Ann Baptiste (Zenith) 10.83

NR, CR

2 Michelle-Lee Ahye (Rebirth) 11.06

3 Kai Selvon (Air Bon Sonics) 11.23


Men’s 100m “B” race (wind: +2.1)

1 Joel Dillon (Simplex) 10.45

2 Haysean Cowie-Clarke (Zenith) 10.47

3 Quinn Lee Ralph (Concorde) 10.52


Women’s 100m “B” race (wind: +3.1)

1 Nandelle Cameron (Concorde) 11.57

2 Onika Murray (Simplex) 11.72

3 Kayelle Clarke

(Petrotrin Pointe-a-Pierre) 11.73


Men’s 400m

1 Deon Lendore (Abilene) 45.29

2 Jarrin Solomon (Memphis) 45.34

3 Renny Quow (Zenith) 45.65


Women’s 400m

1 Shawna Fermin (Memphis) 53.25

2 Alena Brooks (Memphis) 54.38

3 Romona Modeste

(Neon Trackers) 54.58


Men’s 400m “B” race

1 Stephon James (Guyana) 47.06

2 Odou Hazel (Mustangs) 47.40

3 Jovon Toppin (Memphis) 47.41


Women’s 400m “B” race

1 Marissa Gale (Air Bon Sonics) 55.88

2 Jessica James (Neon Trackers) 56.58

3 Ayoka Cummings

(Neon Trackers) 57.02


Men’s 1500m

1 Matthew Hagley

(Defence Force) 3:59.02

2 George Smith (Defence Force) 4:01.10

3 Cleveland Thomas (Guyana) 4:03.28


Women’s 1500m

1 Pilar McShine (Unattached) 4:19.69

2 Dawnel Collymore (Memphis) 4:47.55

3 Jevina Straker (Guyana) 5:11.72


Women’s 100m hurdles (wind: +1.2)

1 Aleesha Barber (Rebirth) 13.20

2 Deborah John (Air Bon Sonics) 13.24


Men’s 110m hurdles (wind: +3.0)

1 Mikel Thomas (Rebirth) 13.29

2 Wayne Davis II (Texas A&M) 13.30

3 Ruebin Walters (Memphis) 14.18


Women’s high jump

1 Deandra Daniel (Dovers) 1.65m

2 Khemani Roberts (Zenith) 1.60m


Men’s long jump

1 Kyron Blaise (Rebirth) 7.87m

(wind: +2.1)

2 Dwaine Herbert (Dovers) 7.52m

(wind: +2.2)

3 Seon Michael Stafford

(Toco TAFAC) 7.29m (wind: +4.1)


Men’s shot put

1 Akeem Stewart (Falcons) 18.59m

2 Hezekiel Romeo (Rebirth) 16.55m

3 Kesean Phillips (UWI) 15.65m


Women’s discus

1 Sharisse Downey (Burnley) 42.78m

2 Shaunna Downey (Burnley) 42.11m

3 Chelsea James (Falcons) 35.45m


Women’s javelin

1 Darlene Lewis (UWI) 40.50m

2 Geraldine George

(Petrotrin Palo Seco) 40.12m

3 Cherisse Murray

(Toco TAFAC) 35.50m


NR = National Record

CR = Championship Record

Source

l  Pennsylvania

Trinidad and Tobago’s Njisane Phillip did not disappoint at the 2013 World Series of Cycling UCI Festival of Speed at the Valley Preferred Cycling Centre on Friday night.

The racing lived up to its lofty billing as speed demons Phillip and New Zealand’s Stephanie McKenzie dominated the competition.

Phillip defeated British dynamo John Paul in the UCI sprint semi-finals before taking the best-of-three sprint final in two rides Matt Baranoski, to claim the UCI Sprint Title.

Baranoski reversed that result and got a little bit of revenge in edging Phillip to win the keirin Final.

Kwesi Browne and Azikiwe Kellar also had good performances, finishing sixth and seventh respectively in the sprint competition, while Browne was fourth in the keirin final.

Varun Maharajh was also in action, and finished fifth in the Pro Men Super Sprint Elimination and fourth in the Pro Men UCI 15km Scratch.

But in the end, it was Phillip’s night to shine.

The T&T Olympic Cyclist said: “It was real close the entire [second] race. It wasn’t even a matter of me holding him off. It was really just a matter of who was going to cross the line first.”

Phillip wasn’t the only islander to find success on Friday night. Stephanie McKenzie of New Zealand came from behind to take the women’s keirin final for the second straight week.

Phillip qualified for the keirin final with a third-place finish in the first men’s heat. And though he had the aid of fellow Trinidadian Browne in the final, Phillip came up just short.

“[Matt] is really strong. He’s a great racer and he’s great at keirin,” said Phillip, a bronze medallist in the sprint race at the 2011 Pan American Games.

–CMC

Source

CHANCE DOYLE  scored a match-winning try on the stroke of full-time to lead USA South Rugby team to a 26-18 victory over the Trinidad and Tobago national rugby team in the 2013 North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Rugby XV’s Championship final yesterday on Fatima College ground.

“It’s an achievement we haven’t reached ever,” trainer Sean Bowman said, as the three-year-old American South Rugby team celebrated after the final.

An evenly-fought final saw the teams balanced at 18-18 with a quarter hour to go. USA South went ahead 21-18 when Lucas Baistrocci converted a penalty, but were under heavy pressure in the final few minutes as T&T looked to pull level. But after withstanding the late pressure, the Americans struck a decisive blow in the final minute when Doyle powered his way to a try near the corner. That left  T&T with no chance of recovery.

USA South brought a power game to the final, having several huge men among their players, while T&T’s chance came from speed of movement. Technical deficiencies ultimately cost Trinidad and Tobago valuable points and the match, since they failed to convert each of three tries scored. The Americans also dominated the scrums and line-outs.

T&T had good start, taking a 5-0 lead when centre Joseph Quashie scored a try and late converted a penalty as well. But American South rallied to lead 11-8 from two penalty conversions from Baistrocci and a try from Jeff Reutheu.

Trinidad and Tobago were ahead again in the 34th minute when Quashie scored in the corner for a 13-11 lead, but outside-half Nelson Figaro failed to convert.

A long kick into the T&T half and a favourable bounce saw Amir Khan getting USA South a second try, which was successfully converted to see the visitors leading 18-13 at the half. A powerful surge from the half-line saw Wayne Kelly scoring to pull T&T level, but once again they failed to get the extra two points by missing the conversion.  And with the teams looking very well-matched, the Americans finished strongest and won the final.

Source

OLYMPIC javelin  gold medallist Keshorn Walcott was spared serious injury yesterday when he was in a minor accident involving several vehicles along the westbound lane of Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

Walcott’s manager, Sean Roach, said around 9 a.m., Walcott was heading to the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain when near the vicinity of the National Flour Mills (NFM), a car collided with his Kia Sportage.

As a result, Walcott’s SUV also collided with another car, a police investigator from the Central Police Station told the Sunday Express.

Roach said Walcott did not sustain any injuries but out of an abundance of caution, he was examined by his phy­siotherapist when he made it to the stadium to begin his practice session.

Roach said since the “minor accident”, early yesterday, he had received a number of calls from concerned members of the public who were worried about Walcott because they had heard rumors that he was involved in a serious accident.

“I was right there with him when people were calling me and telling me how they heard how ‘bad’ the accident was,” Roach laughed.

“But I am really grateful for all the concern he received.”

“It shows that we are still a very caring society,” he added.

Walcott resumed training yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

Enquiries are being continued by officers of the Central Police Station, Port of Spain.

Walcott won the Olympic gold medal in the men’s javelin final in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, on August 11.

The only other Trinidad and Tobago athlete to achieve such a feat was Hasely Crawford, who won a gold medal in the Olympic 100 metre final in 1976 in Montreal, Canada.

Source

CENTRAL FC managing director, Brent Sancho yesterday announced that “The Sharks” have invited English League One club Walsall FC to tour Trinidad and Tobago as part of their pre-season preparation.

“We are delighted to be hosting Walsall, who ended their season with only one loss in their last 19 games,” said Sancho. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to bring an English club to the Central region and give our youngsters the opportunity to test themselves.”

Central FC will play Walsall on July 9 at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, after the English club spends four days in the sister isle Tobago to play two games, including one against a Pro League XI.

“The visit of Walsall has been magnificently supported by TT Pro League CEO, Dexter Skeene,” said Sancho. “As soon as we mentioned the possibility of a visit by a British club, Dexter was really supportive.

“I believe he joins us in seeing this as a great opportunity to test the current level of Pro League football and to give some of our youngsters a chance to put themselves in the market place overseas.”

“The Sharks” are yet to release a complete itinerary as they are still negotiating with sponsors. However, Sancho did confirm that Central FC have been liaising with TTFA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association) technical director Anton Corneal for Walsall’s coach, Dean Smith and his staff to host a coaches seminar, as well as a coaching clinic for youths.

“It’s important that we gain as much as possible from the visit of Walsall,” said Sancho. “We hope that players and coaches will benefit from an exchange of ideas with the Walsall staff in all areas including physiotherapy, nutrition and pre-match preparation.”

Sancho said that the Central FC staff will have full access to the Walsall camp. “Dean Smith is a good friend of our operations director Kevin Harrison,” said the ex-Trinidad and Tobago defender. “As such, Dean has agreed to allow our staff to attend all training sessions and we will be loaning five of our young players to Walsall for the whole week.

“This type of experience is unimaginable for our young players and we are certain that it will only increase their level of professionalism as well as their desire to play overseas.”

Walsall will be bringing a party of 28, including 20 players.

“Walsall were unfortunate to miss out on the play offs last season, but I’m convinced they will be in or around the promotion spots at the end of this season,” said Sancho. “Dean Smith is an up-and-coming manager who was awarded League One Manager of the Month in January. I know Terry Fenwick is licking his lips in anticipation of taking an English League One scalp, so it will be a great contest!”

Sancho said that “the Sharks” are still looking for sponsors for some aspects of the tour. “We’ve covered most of the costs of bringing over Walsall, but we now want to make sure their visit is unforgettable. We intend to invite teams from Europe every year to play for a Central FC trophy.

“The name of the trophy will be chosen by the sponsor,” continued Sancho. “We feel this can only raise the awareness overseas of the TT Pro League and give a boost to our sports tourism industry.”

Final details of the Walsall itinerary will be released later this month.

Source

Demonstrations in Istanbul; a protest over high ticket prices by football fans in London; demonstrations in Brazil.

Decidedly, the world has changed, but the question is, "Have the grandees who run Big Sport taken notice?"

Yes, it is simplistic to bracket these three manifestations of frustration and rage together.

The Istanbul protesters seemed indifferent to, or even mildly positive about, their city's prospects of hosting the 2020 Olympics – although they have thrown a spanner in that particular works.

The London march was an internal sporting affair devoid of broader political ramifications.

The demonstrators in Brazil certainly are questioning the money lavished on new stadia, although even here, the Confederations Cup seems to some extent to be a convenient focal point, rather than a fundamental grievance.

The point though, I think, is this: After four or five years of widespread financial and economic turbulence, people are finding it tough to make ends meet, even in comparatively fast-growing economies, and this is making them grumpy.

But while the people's wallets have been getting thinner and their mood darkening, Big Sport has been floating along, largely unaffected, in its bubble economy, buoyed by copious quantities of television and sponsorship dollars.

Protected – but also cut off – inside this comforting cocoon, I have seen precious few signs to date that the men in charge of the world's biggest sports events have taken these changed attitudes to heart.

FIFA President – and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member – Joseph Blatter's comment that people should not use football to make their demands heard suggests strongly that he has yet to join up the dots.

So let me state it clearly for them: lavish sporting projects are no longer – for now – in keeping with the mood of the times.

What is needed is restraint. Allied with explanation.

There were signs in the June 10 conference call given by Aldo Rebelo, the Brazilian Sports Minister, that the political classes – with more of a vested interest in staying attuned to the public mood – are taking the warning signs on board.

Questioned about the cost of stadiums, high ticket prices and the "elitization" of football, Rebelo acknowledged that the price of World Cup tickets is "way beyond the means of many of our poorer citizens" and that "we do worry that the elitization of soccer in Brazil may happen".

Something else: there have been suggestions that the scale of the protests in both Istanbul and Brazil was in reaction, partly, to strong police measures against initial demonstrators.

One of the most important things prospective hosts of sporting mega-events need to demonstrate, of course, is cast-iron security protection.

It would be only natural if the new wave of prospective mega-event hosts, including both Brazil and Turkey, felt the pressure to prove their capabilities in this regard particularly keenly.

In the present mood, however, there is a high risk that enhanced security may antagonise the very people on whose support Big Sport is dependent to validate its rather decadent corner of the human cultural edifice when times, for many, are tough.

It is a delicate balance to strike, but, once again, restraint and explanation would go a long way to easing inevitable tensions.

Those of us who chronicle Big Sport know in our bones that staging an event can do a host city or country and most of its inhabitants a power of good.

In many ways, the most glaring failure of explanation has been that the case has rarely been really convincingly articulated by sports authorities.

This is, in part, because some of the benefits are difficult to measure.

But it is also the case that over the past couple of decades, while the great cities of the world have been queuing up to boost their prestige by getting their hands on high-profile events, the panjandrums of sport have barely had to worry about such niceties as self justification.

The events of recent weeks – and the forthcoming referenda on possible 2022 Winter Olympic bids in the highly prosperous European cities of Oslo and Munich – should jolt them into turning their attention urgently to composing a compelling answer to the question: What's in it for us, the inhabitants of the hosting entity?

Otherwise, they may find themselves a lot less spoilt for choice than in recent times when selecting the amphitheatres for their precious events.

What would have been a most desirable bid for the 2022 Winter Games by St Moritz/Davos has already been scrapped after Swiss voters declined to approve funding in a referendum.

The mirror image of the sort of message I have in mind is on YouTube, loud and proud, where it has been viewed more than 2 million times.

It is a passionate, but reasoned anti-World Cup/Olympics polemic featuring a young woman called Carla Dauden.

It is simple, it is effective and it gives a voice to those perplexed that their Government should be spending heavily on sports competitions when peoples' day-to-day needs frequently go unmet.

"We do not need stadiums, we need education," she says.

"We do not need Brazil to look better for the world, we need our people to have food and health."

You get the idea.

You can find it here.

I heartily recommend that decision-makers in the sports events world devote six minutes of their time to watching it.

And that they then turn their minds to producing an equally simple, equally compelling response, explaining – with due humility – how their cherished sporting properties can and will in future increase the supplies of food, education, health and happiness to ordinary people.

The nightmare scenario for Big Sport is that it becomes a focal point for broad-based, international protest in the way that global Governmental/business gatherings such as the G8 and Davos became, and to a degree still are.

We are a long way from that.

But it is high time that the stewards of the world's great sporting festivals shook off the air of complacency that the good times have engendered and set about justifying their existence to the ordinary, hard-pressed, men and women who have to live outside the bubble.

Source

June 21 - FIFA have moved to deny claims that the Confederations Cup, which got underway last weekend, could be cancelled due to ongoing protests in the South American country.

More than a million people are estimated to have been involved in protests across the nation over rising transport costs, the country's ongoing issues with corruption and the cost of hosting next year's FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Protestors were repelled with tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets in the latest wave of violence to sweep Brazil, and an 18-year-old man died in Sao Paolo state after apparently being hit by a car driven by a man attempting to break up the group of around 20,000 protesters in Riberao Preto.

Both events are estimated to cost around $30 billion (£20 billion/€23 million) to host, though this figure could be much higher in reality.

Brazilian media outlets reported this morning that the Confederations Cup, which sees the winners of each Continental Championship face each other in a group and knockout stage tournament, could be abandoned due to the ongoing protests.

"FIFA will claim compensation from Brazil if the Confederations Cup has to be suspended." claimed a headline on the website of Brazilian Central News (CBN).

A report by CBN claims that one of the teams competing in the tournament - believed to be Italy - wants to leave the country over concerns about the safety of their family and friends that have travelled to watch their matches.

The wife of Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio César - who currently plies his trade at Queen's Park Rangers in the Premier League but is widely expected to move to London rivals Arsenal when the Confederations Cup concludes - was robbed at gunpoint in Fortaleza on Wednesday (June 19), and FIFA also confirmed that six Spanish players had their rooms broken into and burgled whilst they were playing Uruguay on the opening day of the tournament.

"We know there was a report, a police report and this was being dealt with by the relevant authorities, we have been in touch also with the team," FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola told a briefing.

"We are waiting to hear from the authorities.

"[We] don't have all details.

"We know there was an incident and the police are investigating."

But FIFA nvertheless have moved to deny the claims that the tournament will be cancelled in a statement.

"To date, neither FIFA nor the Local Organising Committee have ever discussed any such possibility of cancelling the FIFA Confederations Cup," it said.

The world football governing body also released a seperate statement, condemning the ongoing violence and denying the rumours of nations wanting to leave the tournament.

"FIFA supports and acknowledges the right of free speech and to demonstrate peacefully and condemns any form of violence," they said.

"FIFA is in constant contact with local authorities and have full trust in security arrangements and we'll continue to monitor situation.

"FIFA in constant contact with all stakeholders, including teams.

"FIFA has not received any requests to leave Brazil, from any team."

The Confederations Cup is due to be back in action tomorrow when Italy are scheduled to face host nation Brazil, and Japan take on Mexico in Belo Horizonte.

Source

Health and wellness is the focus of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)  its corporate partners- the Guardian Group of companies, Bptt and  Olympic day partner Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) when the TTOC  celebrates  Olympic day on Saturday  at the Chagville beach facility  Chaguaramas. The day’s activities begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 3:00 p.m.

Since 2009, the IOC’s (International Olympic Committee) theme for Olympic day has been learn, move and  discover the joy found in sport and physical activity. The TTOC’s Olympic day event is used to encourage children, young people and not-so- young people to try out some kind of sport activity.

Children from various primary schools and homes are transported to Chagville beach where national sport organisations (NSOs) will introduce them to the various sports.

Stacey Cateau of the TTOC Education and Culture department is confident that the effort to introduce the children to sport activities with an emphasis on fun and safety is an important initiative.

“Health and wellness is a lifestyle and a mindset. If we want the population to embrace the notion of health and wellness not only must the introduction to sport and physical activity be done at the early childhood age but it must be done with an emphasis on fun and participation.”

Olympic day is a worldwide event and a key date in the Olympic movement calendar. On the 23 June 1894 the Olympic Games was re-established as proposed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Since then the 23 June is considered the birth date of the modern Olympic Movement.

###

LeBron James and the Miami Heat are on top of the world for the second straight year after the team repeated as NBA champions, beating the San Antonio Spurs in a decisive seventh game Thursday night.

James, 28, repeated as Finals MVP after he scored 37 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and took control of the game during the final minutes before ultimately prevailing over the Spurs in Miami, 95-88. James was the catalyst when it counted the most with the Heat clinging to a two-point lead with 30 seconds left.

James nailed a jumper to make it 92-88 with 27.9 seconds left on the clock. Moments later he stole the ball and was fouled in the process.

James, often dubbed King James, hit both foul shots to put Miami up six with 23.5 seconds remaining. The sea of Miami Heat fans, all dressed in white, began celebrating as the clock ticked down to zero.

Miss Any or All of the Action? Click Here for Move Coverage on the NBA Finals From ESPN

The win capped off another stellar season in James' already storied career. He led Miami to a 66-18 regular season record and captured his fourth straight league MVP trophy. As fans and sports pundits continue to compare him with the all-time greats like Michael Jordan, James is not listening to any of it.

"Listen, I can't worry about what everybody says about me," James said, holding the NBA title and his Finals MVP award. "I'm LeBron James, from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city. I'm not even supposed to be here. That's enough.

"Every night I walk into the locker room, I see a No. 6 with James on the back, I'm blessed. So what everybody says about me off the court, don't matter. I ain't got no worries."

The Heat became the NBA's first repeat champions since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009-10, and the first team to beat the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

Dwyane Wade scored 23 points and won his third NBA title. Shane Battier had 18 on six 3-pointers.

The series clinching game followed Tuesday night's wild Game 6, where the Heat rallied late to push the game into overtime and force a seventh game.

RELATED: LeBron James Talks About Favorite TV Shows, Charity Causes

On Thursday night, the Spurs bounced back from coming so close to a championship in Game 6 and were led by star forward Tim Duncan, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Duncan, a four-time NBA champion, missed a shot and follow attempt right under the basket with about 50 seconds left and the Spurs trailing by two.

Kawhi Leonard hit a 25-foot three point jumper to bring the Spurs to within two, but that's as close they would get in the final two minutes of the game before Battier nailed a three and James took over from there.

Spurs player Tony Parker was just 3-for-12 with 10 points, four assists, while Manu Ginobili had 18 points.

"Just give credit to the Miami Heat. LeBron was unbelievable. Dwyane was great. I just think they found a way to get it done," Duncan said. "We stayed in the game. We gave ourselves opportunities to win the game, we just couldn't turn that corner."

It's was also a bit of sweet revenge for James, who lost to the Spurs in the 2007 NBA Finals while a member of the Cleveland Cavilers. Following the loss, James made the highly publicized decision to leave Cleveland and join the Heat.

"They pushed us to the limit," James said of the Spurs.

Source

Serena Williams has reached out to the family of the victim in the Steubenville, Ohio, rape case after the tennis star was quoted in a Rolling Stone article saying “she shouldn’t have put herself in that position.”

The tennis star, in England preparing for Wimbledon, spoke to the victim, her mother and a family lawyer for about 30 minutes Wednesday, the lawyer said.

“Serena was very nice, very sincere and it was a very well-received conversation among two women and a young lady,” attorney Bob Fitzsimmons said yesterday.

Williams apologised in a statement released through her agent Wednesday.

“I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article,” the statement said. “What was written—what I supposedly said—is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.”

The comment was made in one paragraph of a long story posted online Tuesday about Williams. The 16-time Grand Slam tournament winner is coming off a French Open title and is ranked No.1 entering Wimbledon, which starts next week.

The victim’s family welcomed Williams’ apology in its own statement Wednesday, saying it was “proud of her” for the updated remarks.

“We are sure Serena has and will continue to use her God given talents to advance women’s equality and send the message that rape is never acceptable under any circumstance,” according to the statement released by Fitzsimmons.

“We are fans of Serena and will continue rooting for many more championships but more importantly watching her advance the cause of rape victims who are never to blame.”

Two players from a high school football team in Steubenville were convicted in March of raping a drunken 16-year-old girl. One of the boys was ordered to serve an additional year for photographing the girl naked. The case gained widespread attention in part because of the callousness with which other students used social media to gossip about it.

“What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened,” Williams said in the statement.

“For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved — that of the rape victim and of the accused.”

According to the Rolling Stone story, Williams says the perpetrators of the crime “did something stupid,” and she asks: “Do you think it was fair, what they got?”

She adds, “I’m not blaming the girl, but if you’re a 16-year-old and you’re drunk like that, your parents should teach you: Don’t take drinks from other people.”

Williams also is quoted as saying: “... she shouldn’t have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that’s different.”

WTA CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement the tour had been in touch with Williams about the article.

“If she was accurately quoted, then Serena’s comments were both insensitive and wrong,” Allaster said. “We disagree with the statements and have made that clear to her.”

Source

Speyside, Tobago striker Kennya “Ya Ya” Cordner  became the first female footballer from Trinidad and Tobago to sign  with a professional women’s team in the United States when she was contracted by Seattle Reign FC for the rest of the  National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.

While several other T&T players such as Maylee Attin Johnson and Tasha St Louis have played at amateur and semipro level in the USA, Cordner is the first to be signed at the highest level of club competition.

Cordner, who graduated from Young Harris College in the United States,  has been added to the Reign FC roster pending medical clearance, and will make her debut with the squad as soon as her visa has been approved.

At age 26,  Cordner is already an 11-year veteran of the national women’s football team, which she joined as a 15-year-old.

Cordner played in two CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup tournaments, the Pan American Games and several World Cup and Olympic Games qualifiers. Cordner top-scored with nine goals for T&T in CONCACAF Zone qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

Known for blistering speed and a powerful shot, Cordner previously had a professional stint  in Australia with Brisbane Roar FC of Australia’s W-League.

Prior to signing with Seattle Reign, Cordner played semi-professional football in the United States with Northampton Laurels FC, and spent last season with Issaqua FC, the reserve team for Seattle Reign.  

In her first four matches with the Reign FC reserves this season, Cordner scored three goals. She was called up to play in the June 2 Reign FC friendly against the Haiti national women’s team, and scored a goal in Reign’s 6-0 victory.

“At every level she has played, Kennya has shown she knows how to find the net,” Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey said. “We are clearly a club that is in need of a player who can consistently deliver goals, so we are excited to see the impact Kennya can have in the NWSL.”

Adding USA national team veteran Megan Rapinoe and Cordner to the Reign FC roster necessitated the waiving of two current members of the Reign FC squad—forward Tiffany Cameron and midfielder Lyndsey Patterson.  

“Lyndsey and Tiffany have been with the club from our earliest training sessions in Japan, which made our decision incredibly difficult,” said Harvey. “Both Lyndsey and Tiffany are extremely hard workers, great teammates and very talented players. We are hopeful they find another opportunity to play in the NWSL.”

Reign FC will hit the east coast for two games in the coming week. First up is a match against Western New York Flash on Sunday, which will be followed by next Wednesday’s clash with the Boston Breakers. Reign FC will return home to the Moda Health Pitch at Starfire Stadium for a match against the Chicago Red Stars, next Saturday, June 29.

Source

Walcott, Burns out National Champs

Keston Bledman opens the defence of his men’s 100 metres title, on day one of the NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National Open Track and Field Championships, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, this evening.

Bledman will face the starter in the seventh of nine preliminary round heats. Heat one is scheduled for seven p.m., and will feature national junior champion Ayodele Taffe. Aaron Armstrong will do battle in the second heat.

Richard “Torpedo” Thompson, the 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist, should have things all his own way in heat four. Rondel Sorrillo is expected to dominate heat five.

In the sixth heat, former world junior champion Darrel Brown squares off against Jamol James. Emmanuel Callender is tipped to top heat eight. And in heat nine, Shermund Allsop is the man to beat.

The 24 fastest men in the preliminaries will advance to tomorrow’s semifinal round.

Reigning champion Kelly-Ann Baptiste will chase her seventh women’s 100m title. She will be on show at 6.40 this evening, in the opening first round heat. Nandelle Cameron, Reyare Thomas, Lisa Wickham and Sasha Springer will battle for the two automatic qualifying berths on offer in heat two.

Kai Selvon, Semoy Hackett and Shun-Shauna Mason face the starter in the third heat. And in the fourth and final heat, Michelle-Lee Ahye squares off against Ayanna Hutchinson.

The men’s 400m event promises to be a thriller, featuring the four men who teamed up for 4x400m bronze at the 2012 London Olympics—Lalonde Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Ade Alleyne-Forte and Deon Lendore.

The preliminary round will be contested from 7.45 this evening, and in the opening heat, Alleyne-Forte will be on show. Zwede Hewitt and Jereem Richards will clash in heat two. Lendore runs in the third heat, and Solomon in the fourth.

Carifta Games boys’ under-20 one-lap champion, Machel Cedenio has been drawn in heat five, while Gordon, the 400m bronze medallist at the London Games, will open the defence of his national title in heat six.

Five-time champion Renny Quow will run in the seventh and final heat.

There will also be qualifying heats today in the women’s 400m and men’s 800m events.

Reigning women’s 400m champ, Sparkle McKnight is not listed for that event, but is expected to face the starter in the 400m hurdles, on Sunday.

Jamaal James, Gavyn Nero and Carifta champion Mark London will be on show in the men’s 800m preliminaries.

And from 5.30 this afternoon, Richard Jones, Curtis Cox, Kelvin Johnson, Michael Horne, Cantius Thomas and Romario Rodriguez will battle for precious metal in the men’s 10,000m—the opening event on the day one programme.

While most of T&T’s top athletes will compete at the Championships, there are a couple notable absentees.

Olympic men’s javelin gold medallist Keshorn Walcott is out with an ankle injury, while three-time national 100m champion Marc Burns is reportedly injured as well and will also miss the meet.

Walcott’s manager, Sean Roach, told the Express yesterday that while the injury to Walcott’s left ankle is not serious, the athlete has been withdrawn from the meet as a precautionary measure.

“We came to the decision for Keshorn to rest now to be ready for the World Championships in Russia.”

Source