Olympic success is a gift not a pay check. The record breaking London 2012 Olympic team has given T&T an unforgettable 50th birthday present. By happy coincidence the Olympic Games is the year we celebrate our golden jubilee as an independent nation. It’s a beautiful moment to witness T&T so happy, joyous and positive. Everyone's involved and united in celebrating the country's London 2012 conquerors. Fourteen medals went to 18, one gold medal became two, Hasely Crawford now Keshorn Walcott. That it occurred in the city where it all began must have some special meaning. However, if we are to capitalise on the legacy potential of T&T’s historic London 2012 achievements, we must not get carried away or fool one another. This is just a fling not a long term love affair. Much of what is taking place is already being perceived as shameless and insincere opportunism and bandwagonism. In this respect the University of T&T (UTT), for example, may wish to investigate how they are announcing a scholarship for Keshorn Walcott with accompanying full page advertisements while allegedly ending the scholarships of other young sportsmen and women, some a few months away from getting their coveted degree.
Developing Olympic champions is not a simple or inexpensive undertaking. It requires a deep understanding and passion for systemic sport and athlete development. Getting the structure, the right people in place, a stable platform and foundation is no easy task here in T&T. Ministers of Sport, the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC), NSOs (National Sport Organisations), sportsmen and women-young and old have endured ridicule, rejection, and negativity. Efforts to convince decision makers and those who inform policy to take long term sport development and the economic and business potential of sport seriously, have met with muted responses at best. Lip service abound.
Experts are out in abundance with solutions, plans and programmes for Rio 2016 (Brazil) demanding in the process that government provide more money for sport. But where is the money going to come from when houses, hospital beds, schools and police stations are the priority. Is more money the answer or more dedicated volunteers? Sacrifices will continue to be made- careers, financial security, family welfare and health will be put on the back burner to ensure young boys and girls and adults have what they need.

Our young sportsmen and women need people who will serve sport faithfully whether it is a big responsibility or a small unnoticed task. London 2012 must be a starting point, not an end in itself. It should not matter who gets the credit as long as what is needed to be done, gets done. If there isn't grown up discussions about systemic long term sport and athlete development, T& T's historic Olympic medal achievements will be another discarded carnival costume on Ash Wednesday- soon to be a vague memory in the passage of time. In the absence of a strategic and joined up approach rather than a disjointed one  Rio 2016 success will be compromised. It should not be an ego battle for relevance or legitimacy. The London Olympic medals are gifts provided as most gifts are from the heart and soul. They weren’t bought. They came from the love, dedication, courage and passion of the athletes, their families and coaches. The Ministry of Sport, corporate partners, NSOs, the TTOC, and well-wishers, facilitated by providing support, resources and encouragement where and when needed. That it is not an easy journey and will never be need not be said only appreciated. It is certainly an honour and a privilege to represent T&T. When the London 2012 party is over, the long and lonely journey to Rio 2016 will continue on. Will London 2012 change T&T's attitude towards sport on the whole?  The early signs aren't positive.

Brian Lewis is the honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

By Brian Lewis

Source: www.guardian.co.tt