Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Story by: Nicholas Clarke

The T&T Cycling Federation has appointed local Desmond Dickie to serve as its interim national coach with the goal of helping the country’s cyclists qualify for the London Olympic in 2012. This was announced in a statement by the Federation’s public relations officer Richard Jiminez yesterday. As part of his seven month contract, Dickie will be working alongside the TTCF’s racing committee to train and prepare the country’s senior team for the upcoming Pan American Games in Medellin, Columbia in May, which will serve as a qualifier for the Olympics. He will also work closely with the junior team before it travels to Argentina this month for the Junior Pan Ams.

Dickie’s appointment comes five months after TTCF High Performance Manager Erin Hartwell was dismissed from his post when the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Anil Roberts deemed him to be “unqualified.” Among Dickie’s certifications include a USA Cycling Expert Coaching licence, a Canadian Coaching Level Four licence and an Elite Level One USA Cycling Association.

During a career spanning over 30 years, he has enjoyed success as the national coach of Canada and the USA as well as coach of the Hong Kong team. He has trained an elite field of world renown cyclists including countryman Gene Samuel, who won the Kilo, Sprints and Points Race under his watch at the 1986 Central American Games, 2000 Olympic Sprint Gold medalist Marty Nothstein of the USA and 2008 World Championships Kerin winner Jennie Read. President of the T&T Cycling Federation Rowena Williams said she was convinced that Dickie was the right man for the job.

“We need to have our cyclists prepared for the Pan Am Games and we don’t have much time,” she said. “He has had success on the international stage over a number of years and he has the experience and qualifications we are looking for right now to meet our needs. Him being born a Trinidadian will also be a plus.” Williams added that the Federation would assess his performance in October to determine whether to extend his contract or “begin looking for someone new.”