National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette believes better systems must be put in place for local athletes to make a mark on the world stage.
He made the comment yesterday as he said he was disappointed with the result of the performances of the majority of Team T&T at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Despite having the largest contingent of Olympic athletes ever, many of whom were from the track and field discipline, only javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott got on the podium with a bronze performance.
The overall team’s effort has been much maligned by some quarters of society, with many taking to social media to vent their frustration at the other athletes’ inability to bring home more medals.
Yesterday, Serrette admitted much was expected of the team.
“Expectations were high when you compare how much medals T&T won in Beijing and back in 2012 in London,” he said.
“Track and field gets most of the pressure because it is the one sport that has been bringing medals, so it is expected that people were hoping for more success. But proper systems need to be implemented if we are to compete against world class athletes.”
After winning one gold, one silver and a bronze medal in London, there was hope of more success in Rio in athletics. This time around though the highly favoured sprinters Richard Thompson and Keston Bledman, both former Olympic medallists, and Rondel Sorrillo failed to advance out of the individual semifinal heats in the men’s 100 metres event. They were joined by Emmanuel Callender for the 4x100m relay but the team was disqualified.
“People seem to have forgotten that the 4x100m men finished fourth in London, but won a bronze because a team (Canada) was disqualified and then the American doping issue saw them upgraded to silver,” Serrette said.
The men’s 4x400m relay team of Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon, Deon Lendore and Machel Cedenio suffered a similar fate, as they were disqualified in their semifinal heat after finishing third. It was later learned that it was due to a lane violation.
Cedenio did well in making it to the final, clocking 44.01 to break the previous national record held by Ian Morris for the past 24 years, but placed fourth. Sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye took some of the spotlight by reaching both the women’s 100m and 200m finals.
“Let’s put things into context, both Ahye and Cedenio have done much better than last year in their times. Ahye made two finals, placing sixth, and Cedenio broke the national record, finishing behind season competitors who have all ran 43 seconds.”
If T&T wants success, preparation for the Tokyo Olympics must start now, he added.
“The development of T&T athletes must begin now for Tokyo 2020, not in 2019,” said Serrette.
“Japan is hosting and they are making sure that their athletes are at their best when that time comes around. A combination of things need to happen, which include the athletes and coaches for us to be at a better stage at the next Olympics.”
He said local fans must also not compare T&T to Jamaica, since that country has a far better programme which feeds its teams.
“People like to compare us to Jamaica, but Jamaica has a great programme, as well as the British system. Look at GC Foster College in Jamaica that has home-grown, home-trained Jamaican athletes that can compete with the world’s best.
“Our junior system is not transitioning well to senior level. We have basically the same group of relay runners from 2008, so clearly some of them cannot follow through and make a successful transition.”
From here on out, Serrette said, performances at the Games should be analysed and moving forward the association is calling on everyone to get involved.
“I’m speaking overall now. All sporting organisations, the Government and TTOC (T&T Olympic Committee), we need to develop a system to chart a path to 2020.
“To be podium ready, we need to form a track and field national programme.”