T&T CAC Games withdrawal averted

This following ongoing and intense efforts during the course of the day after which Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee ( TTOC) Chef de Mission Mushtaque Mohammed and  assistant  Chef de Mission Wendell Labastide confirmed that positive progress has been made. Both men said they are satisfied that a satisfactory resolution to TT’s accommodation issues at the 2010 CAC Games Village in Mayaguez will be reached. 

TTOC  president Michael Romany has also accepted assurances from the CAC Games organisers that TT athletes and delegation will be fully accommodated in the Games Village.

However while a full scale withdrawal of the TT delegation has been averted, Romany said he will not hesitate to take the necessary  action to secure the safety, comfort and peace of mind of all members of the TT delegation.

At this point the TTOC is optimistic that the focus can now return on the competitive endeavours of the TT athletes.
“The role of the TTOC and its representatives is to ensure that our athletes have the environment that will allow them to perform to their full potential. I commend our athletes and coaches for their determination and focus. Adversity and problems can and will be overcome. I remain confident that we will attain the objective of 22 medals, a new CAC medal tally,” said Romany.

Away from the heat of competitive battle CAC Games organisers are struggling to cope with the requirements and demands of housing over 4,500 athletes and coaches at the Games Village.
TTOC officials both in Puerto Rico and at home worked through the night to address the situation that saw some members of the final group of athletes and coaches still waiting to be processed at 2 am in the morning this after arriving in Mayaguez on a TTOC charter at 4 pm. “I am deeply concerned with what is happening. While I appreciate that the City of Mayaguez, the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee and the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CASCO) have suffered certain reversals as a result of the global economic crisis NOCs were given assurances that the comfort and welfare of the athletes and other delegation members will not be compromised. I understand the problems but Puerto Rico will appreciate the concerns of not only the TTOC but all the NOCs,” said Romany.
Romany confirmed that the TTOC is considering sending in the charter flight earlier than originally scheduled so that athletes and coaches who have completed their competition can return home as soon as possible. “There are logistical and financial implications but the TTOC’s priority is the welfare of our delegation,” he said.