ene.06.2008

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC)Secretary General Brian Lewis speaking at the National Amateur Athletics Association(NAAA) Annual Awards function held on Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain told the audience money cannot buy Olympic medals and that in an environment where there is the perception that money "is no problem" it is imperative that the myth that money solves all problems is dispelled.

" Lack of money is not the reason [for failure] it is an excuse. The real reason maybe a lack of a big and bold vision and the willingness to do whatever it takes. This country has won 12 Olympic medals and if you ask any one of those medalist from Rodney Wilkes, Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon to George Bovell they will tell you that it takes courage, dedication and passion. Money supports, infrastructure etc but it is not the cure all"

The National Olympic Committee official cautioned that in an Olympic year Olympic movement stakeholders will be under the microscope "There will be 1.3 million Ministers of Sport, TTOC Presidents, coaches and armchair experts. We must be prepared to deal with the high expectations".

The Honourable Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt gave the feature address while CEO of the Sport Company Mrs Carol Charles-Austin also spoke at the function.

Central America and Caribbean Athletic Confederation (CACAC)President Victor Lopez inducted former Olympic quarter milers Edwin Skinner and Ian Morris into the CAC Hall of Fame.

Sixty year old Skinner won a bronze medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a member of the 4x400 relay team.

Morris forty six, a two time Olympic finalist and six time national 400m champion finished fourth in the final of the 400m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic games. He still holds the national record (44.21) 400 m record.

The NAAA Male athlete of the year is sprinter Richard Thompson,Cleopatra Borel-Brown, Rio 2007 Pan American Games bronze medalist repeated as female Athlete of the Year.

Janell Bellie is the NAAA's Junior female athlete of the year. Sprinte Keston Bledman is the Junior Male Athlete of the year.

Memphis Pioneers won both the Senior and Junior track and field club of the year honours.

Awards were handed out for all age groups from under 11 to seniors.