sep.01.2001

by Andre E. Baptiste

Despite Ato Boldon's third place medal as part of the Trinidad and Tobago 4 x 100 metres relay team in the recent World Championships, there are still a lot of questions to be answered.

Trinidad and Tobago's premier athlete Ato Boldon's fourth place in the recent World Championships 100 metres final and his decision not to run in the 200 metres has caused a major stir among many of his loyal Trinidad and Tobago faithful.

There are many who believe that he needs to leave the stable of teammate and World and Olympic 100 metres Champion Maurice Greene, and also some who believe that he has become soft since his marriage to the beautiful Cassandra two years ago.

Cassandra Boldon speaking to this reporter quietly refutes that claim," Ato is still in my opinion a great athlete and one race does not make an athlete ...just because Ato did not get a medal will in anyway make his achievements now and in the future any less,"

"It is a fact that Ato and I have been together since 1995 and we have got closer over the years and when Ato was doing well, no one ever mentioned that marriage was a problem, but in a way, this shows just how much Ato means to Trinidad and Tobago. But I know he will back and win and make everyone happy," she added.

"I think marriage in fact has made Ato a better all-round athlete, he can refocus all his attention on matters on the field and no that a loved one will take care of all his other needs, what has been good has been the support he has received from the West Indians in Canada,"he noted.

Cassandra admits though," I felt for him, I really did, I could see my husband sitting there, just doing a lot of thinking about what is happening with him. I wanted him to win as well,"

"I think he has to reassess this stage of his career and where he wants to go from here, he is young enough to do that and also if you know Ato, you know he is competitive. He is going to have to make some adjustments,"

"But he knows he has a lot of people supporting him and talking to him," she stated. Cassandra also reveal that there were long discussions on Ato's participation in the 100 metres," There were those of us, that felt that he should run the 200 metres not the 100 metres because of the virus he had, plus his back problems, but he felt he had already won the 200 metres gold and was trying for 100 metres success,"

Cassandra, relaxed but obviously concerned about her husband says,"Ato is a fighter, I see that all the time (she laughs), in a good way, he is intelligent and his thought processes are always working. He will find a way back very easily,"

"I believe that he has a 100 metres championship in him, even before the Olympics in 2004, he has the Goodwill Games, World Championships and other events.

" On the pressing topic of Ato's relationship with Maurice Greene, Cassandra calmly stated," That has to be answered both ways, as we also have to ask what does knowing Ato bring to the table for Maurice, in the end though I believe everyone has benefited and still benefit in one way or the other,"

"They are different persons, but yet still they are close friends and there is a lot of respect and understanding, but saying that I want my husband to beat Maurice when they compete and I want him to win the 100 metres,"she remarked.

"One thing Ato knows is that he has a lot of love on his side, and that will not stop, because I am very committed to him and he knows , that I know he felt he has disappointed a lot of people in Trinidad and Tobago, and he will be out to correct this," "But people need to understand that Ato gave of his best on the day and actually ran a time of 9.98,"

"Whatever he decides, I am with him and will be there, he knows that, I hope he can more support in Trinidad and Tobago as well,"she concluded.