"With darkness there is always a ray of sunlight. And this day in sport I hope is the ray of sunlight for the country."

Marc Burns had just helped Trinidad and Tobago earn bronze in the Olympic Games men's 4x100 metres relay, here in London, England. But the veteran sprinter took time out from celebrating to commiserate with the flood victims back home.

"Disheartening news. Anyone who lost valuables…the man who passed, our condolences go out to his family."

The "ray of sunlight" referred to by Burns came in the form of men's javelin gold from Keshorn Walcott and the sprint relay bronze.

Keston Bledman, Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard "Torpedo" Thompson, running in that order, finished fourth in the 4x100 final. The Canadians, however, were disqualified and T&T were promoted to third.

The bronze always looked on the cards, but on the final handover, Thompson had to pause and then reach for the baton. Callender eventually got the stick into the anchorman's hand. Thompson battled valiantly on the home straight, throwing himself over the line in a desperate attempt to secure bronze.

But there was disappointment, T&T finishing fourth in 38.12 seconds.

Jamaica won in a world record 36.84, beating United States into second spot. The Americans clocked a national record time of 37.04.

After sorrow, however, there was joy for T&T, thanks to the disqualification of third-placed Canada.

"We moved from being so sad and down," Thompson told the Sunday Express, "to being on the next end of the spectrum. We give God thanks, and we give him all the glory. Without him we wouldn't be able to claim the bronze medal today."

Callender said that Walcott's golden throw was a fillip for the relay team.

"Everyone was motivated by Keshorn."

Though he was battling with hip and groin injuries, Bledman decided to run in yesterday's final. He gave his heart and soul, his leadoff leg setting the stage for Olympic bronze.

Afterwards, Bledman paid an emotional tribute to his late grandmother.

"I dedicate this race to God, my fans and my grandmother that passed away. I wanted to give up at a point in time, and she told me to do it for her, so I dedicate this race to her."

The sprint relay bronze was T&T's fourth medal at London 2012. Walcott was the star of the show as the country earned one gold medal and three bronzes in its best-ever Olympic performance.

T&T's biggest haul before London 2012 came at the 1964 Games, in Tokyo, Japan—one silver medal and two bronzes.

Yesterday, at the Olympic Stadium, Walcott and the sprint relay men added to Lalonde Gordon's men's 400m bronze and the bronze earned by Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Ade Alleyne-Forte and Deon Lendore in the 4x400m.

"Big, big day in sport for Trinidad and Tobago," said Burns. "Bronze from the 4x1 team, gold from Keshorn, anthem being played. Words can't describe that feeling."

By Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com