Trinidad and Tobago's Andrew Lewis is one of only five sailors from the Perth 2011 ISAF (International Sailing Association and Federation) Sailing World Championships Training Programme to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
The London Olympic Games kick off this weekend with the four countries of Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Chinese Taipei and Guatemala, all of whom did not compete in sailing at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, being represented in the sport.
T&T will be represented by 22-year-old Lewis, whose selection follows his strong performances in recent international regattas, including the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
Lewis will now compete in the Laser class alongside the world's best at the London Olympics.
The Emerging Nations Programme was a sailing initiative hatched in July 2007 and was integral to Perth's winning bid to host the ISAF Sailing World Championships, which took place in December 2011.
The initiative was geared to develop the sport of sailing internationally by giving direct support to nations who are keen to nurture sailing talent but lack the necessary funding, world class coaching and equipment to do so.
An initial group of 32 athletes from 23 nations was selected to follow the Emerging Nations Programme's rigorous two-year training plan.
A series of official camps, where qualified Olympic coaches mixed on-the-water training with fitness work and lectures on sports psychology, nutrition, weather and tactics, culminated in the best 12 sailors being selected to compete in the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
After impressive performances in Perth across three classes--Laser, Laser radial and RS:X wind surfers-- five of the group will now test their abilities and represent their countries at the Olympics.
Following the success of the Emerging Nations Programme, Santander, host of the 2014 ISAF World Sailing Championships, has decided to continue the scheme.
Lewis gets his first taste of official Olympic action on Monday morning at the sailing venue off Weymouth on the south coast of England.
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