“I was born ready.” These were the words of T&T hurdler Jehue Gordon ahead of the start of today’s track and field at the Olympic Games, here in London, England. The 20-year-old oozed confidence yesterday, not intimidated by the thought of facing some 53 other hurdlers who will be battling for a spot in the semifinals of the men’s 400 metres hurdles. Gordon, along with triple-jumper Ayanna Alexander, and sprinters Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Michelle Lee Ahye, Semoy Hackett and Kai Selvon will be in action today at the Olympic Stadium. Alexander will be first in action in group B of the women’s triple-jump starting at 10.25 am (5.25 am). She will have to be at her best to be among the top 12 from some 35 jumpers who will be looking for a place in the final round on Sunday.
Some 50 minutes later, Gordon, who has a personal best time of 48.26 seconds, will line-up, looking to get into the semi,final round on Sunday at 7 pm (2 pm T&T time). He will run in heat five. Gordon had only good things to say about his experience so far at his first Olympic Games. “Everybody here is supporting each other 100 per cent. We are feeling as one; feeling as a team. Everybody is here just to give their best,” said Gordon. Gordon feels that he and his teammates are sometimes underestimated and that will be a plus in their efforts to get precious metal for T&T. “Nobody really takes T&T seriously. That is what is giving us the edge right now. They are expecting the US and Great Britain, the more powerful countries, to dominate but we are not going down without a fight,” declared Gordon. In the evening session, the quickest women of T&T will be on show when they meet the rest of the world in the 100m heats, starting at 7.05 pm (2.05 pm). National champion, Baptiste will lead the quartet aiming for nothing less than semifinal spots which are scheduled for 7.35 pm (2.35 pm) tomorrow. This is Hackett’s second Olympic Games and she’s banking on reaching further than the last edition.
“The first time I competed at Olympics, I was 17-years-old, and now I am 23. I am more matured and understanding of the sport. I think I will do much better than I did a few years go,” stated Hackett. Manager of the track and field team Dexter Voisin is comfortable with his athletes and says they are ready. “We’re ready to go. We have been here about three weeks. We started off with a two-week camp in Wales. That camp was very successful,” said Voisin. He said the athletes bonded and fine-tuned. “We were able to practice baton passing—something that was never done before because most of the athletes concentrated on their individual events. So it was useful.”  Over in Weymouth and Portland, sailor Andrew Lewis will feel revived after his day off yesterday and ready to battle the wind and water in races seven and eight in the men’s laser event. Lewis is currently in 42nd place and will be aiming to complete a perfect race to move up the standing, to get on course to make it to the medal round on Monday.
By Rachael Thompson-king
Source: www.guardian.co.tt