For many Trinidad and Tobago and Keshorn Walcott fans, it was a joy to see the teenager in the Olympic javelin throw final, getting closer with each effort to that elusive gold.

For Hasely Crawford, who just four days ago was T&T's only gold medallist, it meant he no longer has to stand alone in the stratosphere of national sport.

After returning with members of Trinidad and Tobago's 2012 Olympic team following their record-breaking exploits in London—which saw this country line up in 12 finals for the first time since T&T first competed at the Games 64 years ago, also in London—Crawford was a happy man.

Having clinched T&T's first Olympic gold medal 36 years ago in Lane One of the 100 metres final in Montreal, Canada, Crawford was relieved to finally have elite company.

"It was long overdue. Long overdue," a beaming Crawford told the Express yesterday during celebrations to honour Walcott and the rest of the Olympic team at Piarco International Airport.

"And I'm very happy that Keshorn, a humble, hard-working young man [has achieved such success]. I can remember on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, he was out there with [coach Ismael] Lopez training. He deserves everything he has achieved right now."

Crawford had been waiting to congratulate the 19-year-old Olympic javelin champion in person as he had not seen the Toco-born thrower since his amazing feat. He smiled as he recalled watching the record-breaking moments.

"[Ministry of Sport permanent secretary Ashwin] Creed was sitting next to me and the [National Association of Athletics Administration] president Mr [Ephraim] Serrette and I told them, I said 'listen, [a throw further than 84 metres] is a medal'. Because every time he threw that thing, he improved by two metres.

"So I said '84 is a medal'. He said 'gold or silver, boy?' I said 'a medal'. And after the first round, I told Creed 'call the Minister and tell the Minister prepare for a medal.' And for the last round it was a countdown. When they reached five (throws) I said 'it's a medal'. We went down to gold, and we went waving. It was electric. Very, very electric."

Even more moving for Crawford was hearing for the first time the full Trinidad and Tobago national anthem played on an Olympic stage.

"When I won the gold medal, they played (only a piece of the anthem). So I deliberately stood there because [for] all the other winners, they played the full anthem. I said 'let me hear it this time'. And that ringing sound in my ears, boy, it was fantastic."

Crawford revealed that T&T's progress in field events has come about through NAAA efforts to develop those disciplines.

Cuban Lopez, Walcott's current coach, was instrumental in producing a programme geared towards field events and Crawford is predicting more such athletes will come to the fore in the future.

He sees hope for T&T in future Olympics with a young 2012 team that achieved unprecedented success with four medals—one gold and three bronze—and athletes reaching 12 finals in all.

Crawford is also happy with Government's promise to develop an elite throws programme for Walcott and others to train in Trinidad and Tobago.

"We need to really sit down and come with a serious programme," he said, "so that the next Olympics we'll have a lot more medals here. You won't have enough houses to give those athletes."

For now, though, Crawford is glad to bask in his new company, which represents a changing of the guard, of sorts.

"It's hard. [It was] hard to sit there [waiting to] see a young man going to join me, and he did. I can't put it into better words."

By Kern De Freitas

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com