nov.16.2006
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) support for qualified national athletes continues as the National Olympic Committee prepares for the 2008 Beijing and the 2012 London Olympic Games. The TTOC has facilitated the admission of Candice SCOTT and Roger Daniel to elite training centers in their respective disciplines.
Scott is currently in Cuba ,where she will be based until next year.While Daniel is headed for Finland.
Talented cyclist Christopher Sellier is now at the UCI Elite training centre in Switzerland where he has performed at such a high standard that his stay has been extended to march 2007.Originally Sellier was scheduled to spend a month but at the request of the coaches at the centre the TTOC and IOC have agreed to extend his scholarship until March next year.
TTOC PRESIDENT Larry Romany said that the fact that the various centres have admitted the three T&T athletes bodes well for the future."Sellier has impressed so far with his attitude and work ethic,Candice and Roger are medal prospects for next years Pan Am Games and Beijing so this is a crucial period in their training programme"
The TTOC in the last decade have shifted it's focus away from selecting teams for the various games under its auspices to athlete and coach development.
"We are putting in place a Long term athlete development framework.this approach in my view is the way to go,it is holistic,sustainable and systemic" said Romany.
The TTOC is working closely with the Ministry of Sport and Youth affairs ,Sport Company of T&T and Corporate T&T and the International Olympic Committee(IOC)in an effort to source the required funding .
"The challenge locally is to get people to appreciate that producing elite level athletes is not a quick fix.It is a ten year,long term horizon"
Romany re affirmed the TTOC's commitment to athlete development."Proper preparation is vital and we are resolute in seeking opportunities to ensure that our athletes are properly prepared".