Its an Olympic year. Ensuring T&T athletes are the best prepared they have ever been is the focus of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC).

Academics, economists and public policy technocrats and theorists need to be more open-minded and less dismissive regarding sport in T&T and the social and economic benefits and opportunities that can be derived. Ignorance, either deliberate or unintentional, can no longer be an excuse as it is suffocating the possibilities that abound within sport.

Belt tightening, budget cuts, and a call by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley for national sacrifice as the twin Island Republic's oil and gas based economy deals with dismal fiscal projections as a result of falling oil and gas revenue.

The year 2015 is about to say bye bye. What a tumultuous 12 months it has been. For most sport fans, their memorable moments would surround the FIFA scandal and the IAAF revelations regarding Russia. Both stories stole the thunder from the many outstanding achievements on the field.

How serious do we take the achievements of our Olympic athletes? Do the people of Trinidad and Tobago appreciate the effort that is required of our Olympians and those who aspire to be a champion?

The harsh reality is not all sport organisations are positioned to survive the difficult times.