May.09.2010

Barbados,St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago stood their ground and voted against the proposal to give extra votes to future hosts of the Pan Am Games.

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Larry Romany and secretary general Brian Lewis represented the TTOC at the contentious Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) general assembly meeting held in Merida ,Mexico from 6-7 May.

On his return to T&T this afternoon Romany told www.ttoc.org that the rule changes were not in accord with the principles of contemporary good governance thinking and the spirit of the Olympic Charter and Olympism.
" There was the implicit inference that voting against the proposed amendment to the Paso Statute could in some way negatively impact PASO Olympic Solidarity funding grants to NOCs.In the context of sport politics the decision suggested that small NOCs were not to be treated as equals.

Nonetheless, the delegates voted in the affirmative .To say I am disappointed is an understatement. However I remain confident that in due course PASO will revert to a fair and equitable approach to governance. as the reasons put forward for the amendment cannot withstand objective scrutiny." said Romany
39 of 42 PASO National Olympic Committees including Brazil, Canada,,Mexico and the USA voted for the changes.

However, Romany believes that there is a silver lining as the PASO amendment can be a wake up call for progressive Caribbean Olympic leaders.
" Caribbean NOCs must remain resolute and indomitable.You always have to look for the opportunities and lessons in any setback or disappointment. Building sustainable sport development pathways and putting the best interest of athletes first are the values and objectives that should drive us.Given that PASO is making decisions on the basis of money and television rights. It is time for the Caribbean to become more assertive and self confident in our approach to the issue of broadcast and image rights. It is important that the tremendous progress we [ Caribbean Olympic Committees] have made in terms of arriving at consensus and unity of purpose not be cast asunder." added Romany.