A fantastic group of people."
That is how Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Michael "Larry" Romany has described the nominees for tonight's "50 Greatest Legends in Sport 1962-2012" celebration, which will honour the top 50 sportsmen of T&T since this country gained independence.
A gala dinner will be held at Trinidad Hilton tonight from 7.30 p.m. to honour the sportsmen, sportswomen and administrators, some currently active, and others who have passed on.
They include new Olympic javelin champion Keshorn Walcott; double bronze medallist from the London 2012 Games Lalonde Gordon; Hasely Crawford, T&T's first Olympic gold medallist at Montreal 1976; former West Indies batting star Brian Lara; former T&T football captain Sedley Joseph and late boxer Giselle Salandy.
Sports administrators were also in the top 50, including cricket's Ann Browne-John and the late Lystra Lewis of netball fame. A few teams have also made the nominations, including the 1979 joint World netball champions and the 2006 World Cup "Soca Warriors".
Romany yesterday told the Express yesterday that although some illustrious names in the history of T&T sport had failed to grace the list, he found it hard to argue with those who had been selected.
"I think the list is a fairly complete list of those who have been prominent, especially in the media," Romany stated. "We would be hard-pressed to fit 50 people when you have to pick from so many performances over the years. [Coming up with such a list] is tough."
Among some of the sportsmen Romany felt may have had a case to be on the final list of 50 are former power boats stalwart Brian Bowen, sprinter Marc Burns and T&T's 4x100 relay team, which won Olympic silver and bronze in Beijing 2008 and London earlier this month.
"I looked at the list [yesterday] morning and I pretty much agree with all that was there," said Romany. "That is a fantastic group of people… All in all I think the list was very comprehensive; (unfortunately) you can't pick anybody else because there are only 50."
Romany applauded the Sport Legends Committee's efforts and was "happy" to see the sportsmen and women being honoured, and described them as "deserving".
Himself a former cycling coach, Romany was happy to see the sport well represented among the nominees.
"When you talk about Roger Gibbon, Gene Samuel and (the late) Leslie King they are household names; they earned the right to be there," Romany pointed out. "They certainly would stand out as national cyclists. Outside of them you would have Leslie Rawlins and (former San Fernando mayor) Ian Atherly."
The timing of the event is also perfect in the wake of celebrations for T&T's Olympic athletes, who put up their best showing ever with one gold and three bronze medals, and athletes competing in a T&T record 12 finals.
"It is very fortuitous that we are now in the throes of celebration of someone who has won gold at the Olympic Games," Romany said. "What this will do is just add to the appreciation."
By Kern De Freitas
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com