Four-time Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Sportswoman of the Year Cleopatra Borel backed the ‘10 gold by 2024’ objective set out by TTOC president Brian Lewis and gave a five-step plan how to achieve it.
Borel was speaking at the 17th TTOC Annual Awards ceremony on Monday night at the national Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA). The 2014 Commonwealth silver medallist said that while things have improved over the years on team T&T, there is still a lot of room for growth.
“To meet this goal we must become the kind of country that strategically produces champions. We must ask ourselves, is it possible for Trinidad and Tobago to evolve into a sport loving, butt-kicking, hard-working, sacrifice-making, Olympic medal-winning nation? I dare to say ‘yes it’s possible’,” she told the audience, referring to Lewis’ pronouncement of the ‘10 gold by 24’ Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund last week.
Borel said we already have two gold medals from Hasely Crawford and Keshorn Walcott and would have to win at an average of 2.66 over the next three editions of the quadrennial games to achieve that goal.
“This is by no means an easy undertaking, but it is possible. Canada, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Greece and Argentina, are all established sporting nations, but each won less than two gold medals at the (2012) London Olympic Games. However, I still believe it is possible for Team T&T to meet the challenge set by Mr (Brian) Lewis,” the two-time CAC gold medallist stated.
Borel suggested that to compete against, and perform better than countries that have bigger budgets, better facilities, and larger populations than Trinidad and Tobago, the authorities have to put the athletes first.
She detailed a five-step plan, including creating a large pool of coaches, sport administrators, sport medicine personal and support staff; creating a large pool of potential Olympic athletes; selecting our target Olympic events, that is, events and disciplines in which the country has the best chance to medal; providing for the basic needs of our athletes—healthy food, clothing and shelter; and providing the necessary equipment, facilities and technological expertise.
“It is my opinion that our athletes and coaches have done well in light of the obstacles faced. However, more is needed if we are serious about winning Olympic gold medals. I ask you once again ...members of the sporting fraternity, can we meet the needs of our athletes? I believe it’s possible,” Borel concluded.

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...Cedenio is Express Youth of the Year

Machel Cedenio dominated his peers in Eugene, Oregon, USA on July 24 to strike gold in the men’s 400 metres event at the IAAF World Junior (under-20) Championships. The global achievement has earned him the Trinidad Express Youth of the Year award.
Cedenio is based in Florida, USA, and is coached by American Lance Brauman. The Presentation College, San Fernando old boy said that training alongside the likes of fellow-Trinidad and Tobago athlete Keston Bledman and American Tyson Gay made a big difference in his preparation for the World Juniors meet.
“Being in an environment where you’re around Olympic and World Championship medallists every day,” Cedenio told the Express, “you have no choice but to focus and train hard. It was a good season. Every time I ran, I cut down my time. It was not overnight magic.”
Cedenio sounded an early-season warning with a comfortable triumph at the Carifta Games in Martinique, in April. He produced a 45.95 seconds run in the championship race to retain his title, finishing more than a second ahead of his closest challenger.
The next stop on the road to World Juniors gold came in the Cayman Islands, where Cedenio smashed the national junior 400m record. He clocked 45.23 seconds to secure top spot in the Cayman Invitational men’s one-lap event.
Less than three weeks later, Cedenio secured global precious metal. The teenager teamed up with Lalonde Gordon, Renny Quow and Jarrin Solomon for bronze at the inaugural IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. Running the third leg, Cedenio held his own against more seasoned competitors to help Trinidad and Tobago claim third spot in a national record time of two minutes, 58.34 seconds.
At the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships, in Morelia, Mexico, Cedenio made light work of his rivals in the under-20 400m final, grabbing gold in 45.28 seconds.
The CAC outing was the ideal warm-up for World Juniors. Just 16 days later, Cedenio was competing at the global meet, in the opening round of the 400. The Point Fortin-born quarter-miler topped heat six in 46.60 seconds. Pacing himself well through the rounds, Cedenio cruised to victory in his semifinal heat in 45.90.
The championship race turned out to be a race against the clock. With no challenger in sight, Cedenio motored to the finish line in 45.13 seconds—a new national junior record. Cedenio, a member of the Simplex Athletic Club, was coached by Gunness Persad early in his career.
“I thank God, my parents and my coaches (for this award), including Persad who gave me the opportunity to go to Florida and train with the guys.”
When at home, Cedenio still seeks the advice of Persad.
“Right now, I’m getting ready to go practice with him.”

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Distinguished Ladies and Gentleman

In the summer of 2002 I traveled from Baltimore to Port-of-Spain to London and finally to Manchester to represent Trinidad and Tobago. This was my first National Team. The team was in Manchester for the commonwealth games, and I was excited to represent my country. After the longest journey ever, I was presented with my competition uniform. I immediately realized that key pieces were missing and I become horrified. However, I was lucky to have a friend from Secondary School on the team, and he provided a lot of support and advice. My friend warned me that it is not always easy to represent Trinidad & Tobago. His advice made me feel as if I was a member of a team of athletes, coaches, medical and administrative personal, and we were all doing our best to make our country proud.

While things have improved over the years on team T&T, there is still a lot of room for growth. A challenge has been set by TTOC president, Mr. Brian Lewis, to win ten Olympic gold medals by 2024. Today ladies and gentlemen I'll like to briefly explore what it takes to meet such as challenge. To meet this goal we must become the kind of country that strategically produces champions. We must ask ourselves, is it possible for Trinidad and Tobago to evolve into a sport loving, butt kicking, hard working, sacrifice making, Olympic medal winning nation? I dear to say “yes it's possible”.

In the history of the Olympic Games Trinidad and Tobago has won two gold medals, so if we want to win 8 additional gold medals in less than 10 years we have to make drastic changes. To reach our target team Trinidad and Tobago will have to win approximately 2.66 gold medals at 2016, 2020 & 2024 Olympic Games. This is by no means an easy undertaking, but it is possible. Canada, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Greece and Argentina, are all established sporting nations, but each won less than 2 gold medals at the London Olympic Games. However, I still believe it is possible for Team T&T to meet the challenge set by Mr. Lewis.

It's possible, not easy, but possible. How can we compete against, and perform better than countries that have bigger budgets, better facilites, and larger populations than Trinidad and Tobago? The answer is quite simple, we have to put our people first! Yes honorable guest the answer is simple, but not easy. Today I'll like to purpose five steps that can take us closer to winning 10 Olympic Gold Medals by 2024.

The first step is to create a large pool of coaches, sport administrators, sport medicine personal and support staff.

The staff ranging from volunteers to full time professionals will administer training programs, keep our athletes injury free and provide other services athletes need to succeed. Our local athletes are talented, and they need the guidance of a cohesive coaching and technical staff. Can coaching and the various fields necessary for athlete development evolve into a full time career paths here in Trinidad and Tobago? I believe it's possible. Do you?

The second step is it to create a large pool of potential Olympic athletes.

Our coaches have to Recruit! Recruit! Recruit! Talent identification is key to this endeavor, and every young Trinbagonian should be considered a potential medalist. Therefore, we must develop a sporting culture in this nation, which starts at an early age, and matures into adulthood. The importance of physical education classes and after school sport clubs can not be exaggerated, they contain our next generation of champions. In addition, we must encourage young girls to participate in sport, and see it as a viable career path.

Ladies and gentlemen as a young girl growing up in Mayaro, I was not afforded the opportunity to truly participate in Track and Field. It saddens me when I speak to young people from rural areas and opportunities are still limited. Trinidad and Tobago has produced many world class athletes from our rural areas, the time has come for us to maximize our talent nation wide. I ask you today, do you believe we can introduce sport to even more of our young citizens? I believe it's possible. Do you?

The next step is to select our target Olympic Events.

This is necessary because it is quite challenging for any country to sponsor individuals in all Olympic events. This does not mean that we stop participating in a wide variety of events, but more resources must go towards targeted events. We must decide where we have the best chance to medal, and invest in those events. Exposure of athlete's to target events will be wise. More events can be added over time as the program develops. Can we expect to see greater success if we focus on the areas where we are most talented? I believe it's possible. Do you?

The 4th step is to provide the basic needs of our athletes – healthy food, clothing and shelter.

Far to many of our athletes are unable to meet these basic needs. However, many choose to work and represent Trinidad and Tobago. Is it possible for this nation to provide a home for individuals training for the Olympic Games? I say yes its possible. Can we provide a world class Olympic training center? I believe it's possible. Do you?

The final step is to provide necessary equipment, facilities and technological expertise.

To produce the kind of success we desire it is imperative that our athletes have the tools necessary to practice their sport. Once again we have made strides in this area, but it will take more if we are interested in producing multiple Olympic gold medals. It is my opinion that our athletes and coaches have done well in light of the obstacles faced. However, more is needed if we are serious about winning Olympic goal medals. I ask you once again esteem members of the sporting fraternity, can we meet the needs of our athletes? I believe it's possible. Ladies and gentlemen I leave you with the words of Paulo Coelho: There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve, (that is) the fear of failure.


Thank you

National field athletes, Keshorn Walcott (javelin) and Cleoplatra Borel (shot put) captured the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively at last night’s annual awards ceremony which got underway at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain.

Both athletes are coached by Cuban Ismael Mastrapa. Over the past 12 months, both Walcott and Borel produced several highly commendable results in their respective athletic disciplines.

Walcott, reigning Olympic gold medallist, claimed top honours after silencing critics with a mammoth and personal best distance of 85.77 metres in Zurich, Switzerland at the Diamond League. He also secured silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with the a 82.67m distance.

Borel showed consistency throughout by launching the sphere 18.99m to cop gold at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Veracruz, Mexico. Prior to this, Borel also cemented her name among the world’s best shot putters by holding on to silver (18.57m) at the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, quarter-miler Machel Cedenio and 100m specialist Aaliyah Telesford took the honours of Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. Cedenio dominated both the local and regional circuit by bagging gold at the IAAF World Junior Championships and in the Under-20 Carifta Championships.

Also receiving the coveted Alexander B Chapman Award for contribution to sport and Olympism was former national football coach, Bertille St Clair.

Sports Personality of the Year went to Olympic swimmer George Bovell III.

Delegates attending last night’s gala ceremony were Olympic committee president Brian Lewis, Minister of National Security Gary Griffith, TT’s first Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford, acting SporTT CEO Adrian Raymond and a host of this nation’s most prized sporting assets.



Awardees

Sportsman of the Year: Keshorn Walcott (javelin)

Sportswoman of the Year: Cleopatra Borel (shot put)

Alexander B Chapman Award: Bertille St Clair

Junior Sportsman of the Year: Machel Cedenio (400m)

Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Aaliyah Telesford (100m).

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Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis says the ten golds 24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund, from which he will raise awareness by participating in the 2015 Trinidad International Marathon on January 25, will also provide for athletes falling outside the conventional subventions and those who have fallen on hard times.