The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has come in for high praise from this country’s olympic athletes as the sportsmen and women share how the TTOC has impacted their professional sporting careers as the Committee celebrates 75 years of service.
Also sharing sentiments to mark this milestone is Minister of Sport and Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe, who said, “The TTOC is among the most reputable, effective and productive sport institutions in the nation. The TTOC goes above and beyond the call of duty to develop our athletes, not only in their professional development, but also on their personal development. I’m pleased that the TTOC always presents itself to assist the Ministry in resolving disputes, developing programmes and policies, and providing guidance to the sporting fraternity. TTOC takes the business of sport very seriously, and is always ready to champion innovative approaches to advancing sports and adding value to the local sport industry.” Minister Cudjoe who also congratulated TTOC President Brian Lewis for his commitment and dedication to his job. “Lewis’ remarkable leadership and vision continue to contribute to the excellent performance of the TTOC, and remain invaluable assets to sport development in this country,” she said.
According to Lewis, the goal of the TTOC has always been to inspire excellence in the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago to enable them to realise their full potential. Admitting that sustaining the non-profit organization continues to be challenging, especially in the midst of Covid-19, Lewis said the TTOC “will continue to put athletes first.” Earlier this month, the Committee rolled out its ‘75,000 steps in 75 days’ initiative in which participants pay $75 and can either run, walk, cycle or swim. The campaign is scheduled to run until Olympic Day on June 23. Lewis says the money will go towards the TTOC's #10golds24 Athletes Welfare and Preparation Fund.
Richard Thompson - Track and field
The TTOC has been a pleasure to work with over the years. If they’re in a position to help you they will, if not they’ll be upfront about it - and that’s something you can definitely respect in this industry. Larry Romany was a visionary, and put many things in place to ensure the success of many Olympians in this country. Brian Lewis took up that mantle and continued to do the groundwork to ensure our success, even though they aren’t always things that the public necessarily hears about. I’d like to wish them a Happy 75th Anniversary. Trinbagonian Olympic history has been a successful road because of their athlete-centric approach, and I encourage them to maintain that mentality as there is a high standard of expectation within our country.
Kyle Greaux - Track and field
The TTOC has impacted my sporting career as an athlete and Olympian in a number of ways. Most notably through their strategic partnership with the Michael Johnson Performance camp. There, I gained insights that later improved my performances and perhaps prevented injuries.
Financial support from the committee not only kept me in the sport but enabled me to become a competitive athlete on the world stage. Though I haven't had the pleasure of formally meeting all the board members of the TTOC, my interactions in dealing with anyone from the committee is always one of progression, guidance, upliftment and support. The committee in its efforts to help all its athletes work tirelessly, day in day out. Whether it be daily processes, campaigns and workshops throughout the year or our President, board members and staff competing in the annual marathon to raise funds for the athletes, I as well as others, appreciate all the hard work. And I'm eternally grateful. Though your work may never feel fully acknowledged and you may face criticism at times, continue striving for greatness for our nation. Continue the pursuit of changing the lives of many young people in sport for Trinidad and Tobago.
Happy 75th Anniversary. God bless.
Andrew Lewis - Sailing
My association, my relationship, my connection to the TTOC started in 2007 when I was working towards creating this dream of mine of going to the Olympic games. The TTOC has played a massive role in the support system, especially in the last three or four years. They have revolutionised the athlete support network through people like Rheeza Grant and Lovie, Annette Knott and Mr Lewis himself - they have all played a fundamental role in my Olympic career by not only making themselves reachable but by allowing themselves to be teachable - showing them how the sport of sailing works and emphasising the importance of certain aspects where I really need support. This has allowed our relationship to stay extremely strong and created a lot of growth together.
At the end of the day, they are there to help the athletes and they have really been trying their best. I will always remember that without the TTOC, Andrew Lewis would not be an Olympian. I have been around many presidents and Mr Brian Lewis has sacrificed almost everything he has for the benefit of the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago. He continues to put his foot down in support and is consistently lobbying to create more resources so that the athletes can get more support to ensure that even though we are from this lovely twin island paradise which is a speck in the world we are able to compete with some of the biggest nations out there.
I want to leave a very passionate sentence with them - my success today would not be possible without the TTOC. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart as they celebrate their 75th anniversary and I wish them another successful 75 and so much more. May God bless the TTOC.
Jereem Richards - Track and field
The TTCO has Impacted my career by providing support and more as an athlete and also educating me and other athletes about the history of sport in Trinidad and Tobago.
Happy 75th anniversary to The TTOC.
Cleopatra Borel - shot put
It has literally always been a pleasure for me to engage with the TTOC as a local athlete. I have always felt supported and welcomed by the organization. For me, Olympic House pre-pandemic had been a place where I could just drop by and receive much needed guidance and motivation or a simple cup of coffee and a smile. It is my opinion that the TTOC is the nucleus of the Olympic movement in Trinidad and Tobago, it is the ever present “force” that navigates a complex arrangement of NGB’s, GB’s and ISF’s (International Sports Federations), ultimately for the benefit of athletes. Furthermore, I have been the benefactor of many of the policies and programmes developed and implemented by the TTOC and for that, I am eternally grateful. It has been my pleasure to witness the continued growth and development of the TTOC and I look forward to the next 75 years.
Congratulations on achieving this major milestone, and may you continue to quickly innovate in this uncertain world, dare to reach for the stars and hold fast to that which is righteous….or as they say in the Olympic movement, Citius - Altius - Fortius (Faster - Higher - Stronger).
Keston Bledman - Track and field
TTOC has been a stalwart for maintaining standards and providing opportunities to the athletes. These opportunities with the standards expected of me as an Olympic athlete played a major role in my physical, mental, emotional, social and financial standing. This support allowed me to be comfortable and confident to give of my best in representing Trinidad and Tobago.
TTOC continues to be the flagship for sports and athletes in Trinidad and Tobago.
By Cherisse Moe