jul.27.2009

LARRY ROMANY, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has confirmed that the TTOC is no longer considering a bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The TTOC is also the national Commonwealth Games Association. Last year Romany had indicated that the TTOC was giving serious consideration to submitting an official bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) .

The Caribbean Games scheduled for July 12-19 was expected to be a “litmus” test as to the readiness of TT to lodge an official Commonwealth bid. But on Friday June 19, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago withdrew as Caribbean Games hosts due to concerns surrounding the Swine Flu pandemic.

The TTOC fully supported the decision made on the basis of concerns and recommendations of the Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO.

“As valid and legitimate as the reason for withdrawing may have been. The international and regional fall out from TT’s failure to deliver the Games is negative. There is no credible way we could have progressed a bid. It simply would not get the required local, Caribbean and international support. It would have been an exercise in futility, ego and irresponsibility,” said Romany

The TT Olympic and Commonwealth Games chief believes important lessons were learned from the Caribbean Games cancellation.

“There were a number of issues that came to the surface. Unless and until these are honestly and transparently addressed, progressing a Commonwealth bid would be foolhardy and ill advised.

“The TTOC is preparing a comprehensive, transparent and accountable report on the Caribbean Games. I remain confident that the TTOC can withstand objective scrutiny of its conduct, processes and policies as it relates to all aspects of the ill fated Caribbean Games,” Romany said.

He pointed out that the TTOC will have to ensure that it can provide answers when asked to do so at upcoming Olympic and Commonwealth Movement meetings.

“There is a view within the regional and international Olympic Movement that TT overreached and overestimated its commitment, capacity, infrastructure, resources and capability to deliver a small multi-sport event. That is not the image or conclusion that TT should accept,” Romany said