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Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) racing secretary David Francis has voluntarily conceded his position as team manager for national cyclist Njisane Phillip for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Francis’ withdrawal follows a Wired868 article on Friday 15 July, which detailed Phillip’s bitter disappointment that his teammate and proposed soigneur, Varun Maharaj, was not accredited for the Games. Instead, the TTCF opted to send Francis alongside the cyclist’s mechanic, Elijah Greene.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Leon Neal)
After two days of discussions with the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), the two parties reached a decision that would leave Phillip and local sport fans relieved.
“Based on recent media reports received, urgent meetings held with the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) and concern for the cyclist’s welfare as an individual athlete,” stated a release by TTCF president Robert Farrier, “Mr David Francis has voluntarily withdrawn himself from the position of Team Manager. Mr Francis’ decision has been consequently relayed to the TTOC.
“It is unfortunate that this situation has escalated into the media, however, we are happy that we have an amicable resolution in the interest of the cyclist and the sport cycling on the whole.”
This morning’s meeting, which was held at the National Cycling Centre, was attended by TTOC President Brian Lewis, TTCF president Robert Farrier, TTCF racing committee chairman Joseph Roberts, TTCF racing committee secretary Gary Acosta and TTCF assistant racing committee secretary David Francis.
According to a TTOC media statement, Francis’ withdrawal: “will allow the TTOC to fill the vacant position on the Cycling Team as best as they see fit. The individual selected for this position will be chosen from the short list of officials previously submitted by the TTCF for the Rio Olympic Games.”
Maharaj was the only other name on the TTCF’s shortlist for the Games.
(Copyright Track Cycling News)
The TTCF tried to defend its initial choice.
Farrier, via press release, said the local Olympic Committee informed the TTCF on Wednesday July 13 that only only two members could accompany Phillip to Rio. And, although the 25 year old cyclist made it clear that he wanted Maharaj, the TTCF opted for Francis instead.
“The Team Manager’s role is also of key importance since he/she ensures the efficient functionality of any team,” stated Farrier, “and is an established position on all International cycling teams.”
The local cycling body did not communicate its decision to Phillip or Maharaj.
Farrier said the racing committee, which is headed by Joseph Roberts, made the ruling based on precedent.
“The Racing Committee also noted that for the past two years and the 10 qualifying events for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, technical members representing the TTCF in the capacity of Team Manager and Mechanic were always selected for each of these events. This same Management Team composition was also utilised for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“With that being said and given the limited allocation for staff members, the Racing Committee being guided by the TTCF Selection Policy and the precedence set by previous International Events, selected a Team Manager and Mechanic as the final two officials for the TTO Cycling Team to the Rio Olympic Games.”
(Copyright Trinidad Guardian)
In the end, under siege by public opinion and with an incensed star cyclist on its hand, Francis—and, by extension, the TTCF—decided to put the athlete’s wishes first.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Question: Can the soigneur function as the Team Manager or do they need another person to fill the TM position?
They will have to chip in to do his duties now. But what Njisane’s side is saying is that he usually goes to competitions without a manager anyway. So they feel confident that it won’t be a problem.
This is the Olympics!
It isn’t the athlete’s first olympics though. Barring something unexpected happening, he believes his team can handle it.
Otherwise we may have to look at the entire system for accrediting officials and wonder why we get to carry so few officials.
Don’t we carry ae manager for every group – field, track, etc? I will have to look at the team again because I thought there were lots of officials!
There is a big contingent of officials for track and field. But for individuals in other sports there is just one or two officials per athlete.
That’s why I asked the question. It seems that each sport needs a manager to deal with any issues or arrangements that are needed. Anyway, we will see how this goes.
Mr Francis had said he would step aside if asked by the TTCF.
Some sanity and respectability has returned to national sports.
I just wish the Gymnastics Federation could have been the ones leading the way
Nijsane is the man, a real talent.
MAXIMUM RESPECT Mr FRANCIS Cliff Bertrand
Njisane gets to select his boyfriend for a free trip and trinidadians must accept this right? I say to hell with Njisane, we don’t need this crap from a low class citizen
Oh… “It is unfortunate that this escalated into the media”…thank God for the media and the ensuing pressure. Still relieved that we didn’t have more TTGF behaviour to deal with.
Francis should be highly commended for this selfless, noble gesture.
He should be sponsored to witness the games as a private citizen
Never give up in what you believe in
He right!!! …give our.athletes the best….
So thrilled that at least one sports administrator saw the error of his ways and decided to step aside … wish the same could be said for TTGF