Tobago-born Lalonde Gordon was rewarded with $300,000 from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for his bronze medal performances at the recently concluded Olympic Games in London, England. He placed third in the men's 400 metres final and also helped the national team to third in the men’s 4x400m final. Gordon became the first athlete from the island to secure an Olympic medal when he clocked a personal best of 44.52 seconds in the men's one lap event. The New York-based athlete will collect $200,000 in Unit Trust shares and $100,000 in cash and will also receive a house in Courland. THA chief secretary Orville London made the announcement at the cocktail reception for the Tobago Olympians in Crown Point Monday night where Gordon was billed to be the guest of honour. However, Gordon was unable to attend as he was part of the Olympic team’s motorcade in Tobago earlier in the day. His grandmother Yvonne Gordon collected on his behalf.London also announced that Gordon’s parents will receive $50,000 as a refund for expenses they incurred to travel to London to witness their son’s historic performance. Gordon arrived in Tobago on Saturday and left the country yesterday morning heading out to Lausanne, Switzerland to compete in the Athletissima Diamond League tomorrow. The THA also presented Olympic finallists Kelly Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett with $150,000 each. Baptiste was sixth in the women's 100m final while Hackett was eighth in the 200m. The duo will get $75,000 in Unit Trust share and $75,000 in cash. Both were absent and were represented by parents Hazel Taylor (Kelly-Ann’s mother) and Beverly Davidson and Dennis Hackett (parents of Semoy). Former World Championships bronze medallists Josanne Lucas and Renny Quow will received $50,000. Both were unable to compete in the Olympics due to injury and the THA will assist in there rehabilitation.
By Clayton Clarke
Source: www.guardian.co.tt