Trinidad and Tobago cyclist Njisane Phillip has no plans of riding for the USA.
In fact, during his short speech at a celebratory luncheon for T&T's 2012 Pan American Championships gold medallists Phillip and Quincy Alexander—hosted by the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company of T&T (SPORTT)— the sprinter sought to lay to rest fears he would no longer ride for this country.
The issue first arose in December when Phillip reportedly stated that he was offered a chance to ride in US colours and was considering the move for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
But yesterday, during the event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, the rider affirmed his commitment to Trinidad and Tobago.
"Today I just want to clear up something (from) when I was here (in December), the whole USA thing," Phillip said. "It wasn't really a switch...it was more (me) just putting it out there. It was just a conversation I was having with my coach. I will not be switching."
Phillip also wished Alexander well at next month's UCI World Track Cycling Championships in Australia. The 18-year-old rider is T&T's lone representative at the games.
Phillip recalled some advice he gave his younger compatriot at the Pan Am Championships when Alexander had to re-ride the kilometre time trial event, in which he eventually got gold.
"I talked with Quincy about (second place being the first loser). He qualfied second in the first ride. I told him 'rain is falling and you've got to go again tomorrow. So you can get the gold medal tomorrow'. And he said 'nah, I tired'," Phillip explained, to laughter from the crowd.
"So I told him 'you can still get it. I see your potential…you need to just get it mentally and go back and get it', and he did that. So I want to congratulate him. Good luck at the World Championships. I know you will do well. Just carry the fire."
Both riders paid tribute to their family, friends and respective management teams and Beacon Insurance (which sponsors both riders), as well as bpTT and DirecTV, which are both funding Phillip.
Alexander also praised his uncle and coach Robert Farrier for being with him "for my whole cycling career" and singled out his current coach for his contributions, too.
Said Alexander: "I'd like to thank Desmond Dickie, because he came on board after I finished the junior World Championships last year and I have seen great, great, great improvements in my training, because he is a very good, excellent coach. He has coached the best."
Alexander compared the former T&T coach's presence in the cycling world with that of US president Barack Obama and hoped Dickie will return to the national team.
"When I go to championships…and you walk in with Des Dickie, it's like you're walking with Barack Obama," the rider stated. "He's that good. Unfortunately, for some reason he's absent (from the national technical team). I hope he'll be back, he's my personal coach. Thanks to Beacon Insurance for keeping him on board to help me with my progress."
-Kern De Freitas
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