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Well, if we are being honest, Marisa Dick’s Rio 2016 Olympic berth looked pretty slippery, even before she got up on the uneven bars today.
Dick’s Olympic tryst, which was history in the making for Trinidad and Tobago gymnastics, was short and bittersweet.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
She executed the “Dick mount” en route to 13.066 points on the beam while there was a solid showing on the vault, as she got flipping 13.900—bear in mind that 13 to 16 are considered good scores.
But Dick managed just 12.533 on the floor and slipped off the bars before producing a sloppy finish for 11.333.
Her total score of 50.832 was less than Jamaica debutante Toni-Ann Williams’ 50.966. And Dick and her compatriot, Thema Williams, beat Toni convincingly at the Glasgow 2015 World Gymnastics event.
Of course, Trinidad and Tobago sport fans were generally unhappy that Dick was in Rio in the first place, after the Canada-born teenager and her mother Hannifer classlessly petitioned the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) to send her to the Olympics at the expense of the properly qualified Thema, who they claimed was injured.
As if a dodgy tendering process is not quintessentially Trini!
Still, Mr Live Wire must admit to having mixed emotions today. It was sort of like seeing that annoying work colleague tumble and fall comically in the office… Only to realise that the numbnuts knocked over your lunch while they were at it!
There was one oddity from Dick’s scores today that stood out for not quite standing out though.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
A peruse of Dick’s major international appearances showed that she managed 49.232 points at the 2013 World Championships, 51.499 at the 2016 World Championships—supposedly with a bruised rib—51.365 at the April 2016 Rio Test Event (with jet lag) and then 50.966 at the August 2016 Olympic finals when there was no excuse left.
So exactly when has Dick demonstrated the tremendous form that TTGF president David Marquez felt justified getting her to the Olympics at any cost?
Isn’t it ironic that Dick’s best score at a major competition so far apparently came when she was carrying an injury? Or that Jamaica’s Toni-Ann beat her with a sore knee that was heavily bandaged?
Fellow Trinidad and Tobago athlete and former Olympic bronze medalist, George Bovell III, went, as the kids say, “balls in” on Twitter:
“Robbing others of the fruits if their honest work makes you a cheater, not just failing a drug test. You will have to live with yourself!”
“It’s laughable when cheaters who escape detection by covering up their dirty deeds actually think that they are good athletes.”
Bovell the Third subsequently suggested that his tweet was in reference to a dodgy swimmer but it almost certainly fell in more than one athlete’s garden in Rio yesterday evening.
Thema also made a rare show of emotion as she tweeted “Poetic Justice” soon after Dick’s performance but quickly deleted the post from her social media account.
In truth, Thema only had to post her score of 52.466 at Glasgow. Because her rival has never gotten close to that performance at a major tournament.
But, exhale, that’s out of the way and Trinidad and Tobago can put juvenile puns aside and really drape itself in the Olympic spirit now. And by that Live Wire does not mean you should catch Zika.
Felice Chow’s Single Sculls Repechage event was postponed today, so she rows from 8.40 am tomorrow while Andrew Lewis competes in the Laser Men’s sailing contest at just after 1 pm.
Chow-down and Laser Lewis! Let’s go T&T!
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
So they took the girl who ms Williams defeated at the championship to represent us in Rio, here’s the results of that… Thema is the better and stronger athlete I’ve seen her performed! I believe everything has its time and its season this wasn’t Thema’s time God has a bigger better plan for her…. They stole ms williams spotlight and ms dick will always be remembered as a cheat….. Ps:Canada didn’t even pick her to represent them, she born there… Why the heck we had to? #thema_williams_teamTTO
Rem God doh like ugly eh…Didn’t do nun to earn dat spot…n what she was expecting…look girl…put yuh tail btwn yuh leg n go back Canada….n look how Karma dem n all didn’t want u n u were forced on us …look i real love Karma we…
Quickie….?
I have never seen Ms. Williams perform but if this is who the Federation selected to represent TTO then Ms. Williams must be no better. But what I saw was not good for Olympic medal standard, even her signature move [Dick 2] was wobbly….sigh when would nepotism end in TTO?
Hello, if ms Williams ranked 17-20 spots above dick, logically thinking, u don’t think she would b better? Steups come again yes.
….I agree but apparently logic is not a requisite for our Federation….so therefore it must be something else why Ms. Williams was not selected if she is ranked better than Ms. Dick….
It’s called bobol!!!
Politricks and money pass!
I’ve seen ms Williams perform and she is the stronger and better athlete…
Facts she defeated marisa dick last year at the world championship to qualify for the Olympics, also Canada didn’t chose ms dick, I now see why
..
Thank you….. Nobody is talking about how she wobbled out of her signature move
Trini Don, You is ah bosss!!!!!
Team thema
The dick couldn’t perform ? oh dear ?
She looked good we are not ready as yet for Olympics glory training training and more training time will tell
??????
Btw who fashioned that outfit? While other countries boldly displayed their country of origin via choice of colors and/or emblems if I had to guess, cause that flag was so small, I would I have lost a bet.
99.5% sure that George Bovell was not referencing TT gymnastics in his tweets, but rather swimmers who tested positive, but were allowed to compete… A bit of a Dick move on your part…
There was no sweet
Somehow I knew the next thing U were going to reference was race.
Which is the fall back plan for most people who have no point and no clue.
Chris Birchall is a hero to most trinis who came here and under truthful means and gave his heart for red white and black.
Do u think if his situation was like this one the public outcry would’ve been different?
I assure u it would have been exactly the same.
The point is right is right, wrong is wrong.
What she did was undercut a fellow athlete to get what she wanted and NO ONE on God’s green earth can justify that.
Just ask Nancy Kerrigan.
Lol. Ent! But ppl love using his example although it’s chalk n cheese! Hahaha
Smh. Lol.
Lasana Liburd he had a false birthpaper lol
??
Lol
Agreed. Amazing that ppl don’t get it eh?
Did Birchall and his mom scheme for him to get a squad pick ahead of someone who earned it?
From where I sit (3000 miles from home) and discussing the Marissa Dick issue with non Trinidadians, I am ashamed of all those negative comments on Facebook. Quite apart from Politics it seems that we are also divided along race and class lines. This is a time to unite and rally behind our representative… Whilst I feel for Thema, Marissa Dick didn’t choose herself. United we stand, divided we both fail and fall…But say what we like it so Wayne Sturge
That’s one perspective. The other is that Trinis – for once – have a memory longer than 9 days. For once, they will not let claims of nepotism and corruption slide. And for once, they’re seeing this through to the end.
You feel for Thema? I felt for T&T, looking on, knowing that we did not send our best athlete, and did so under shameful conditions. United we stand, indeed.
“I wanted to let you know that Marisa (Dick) is now aware that she was not chosen to go to the test event in Rio,” stated a letter from Hannifer Dick’s email account on 9 November 2015. “It was posted onto the TTOC website which Thema (Williams) has shared…
“I have tried to tell her that there is hope but at this point she does not feel like anyone is fighting for her.”
“I do not understand why this decision was made without putting into effect the two competition still to take place,” stated the email, in bold letters. “(…) I am not entirely sure what else she can do and I am not sure how to keep her positive and motivated.
“The reasoning for not telling her right away was because we wanted her to train as if there was still a chance but after reading all that has been said she does not know what to think.
“It is a hard thing to see your child cry when she knows how hard she has worked to accomplish all that she has and to have it be so unfair to her.”
^^ She may not have chosen herself, but don’t pretend she didn’t participate in the travesty.
Royce – you have got to be kidding. Unite behind someone who got to the games dishonestly. Nicole – well said.
What a load of crap!! Rally behind her my ass ….you been living under a rock or something? Fire bun dat!!
Except that George’s post had nothing to do with Marissa.
But the cap fit so she wore it.
Ardene, the whole point of Olympic corn throwing is to not call any foul! LOL
Lol. Poor George!
Poor George.
He’s winning gold in the corn throwing for sure!
My word, he was talking about fellow swimmers. I was able to verify that.
That’s why his corn throwing is so impressive, he attracted foul for which he wasn’t even throwing corn!
Vernal Damion Cadogan George timing of his tweet wording says it all he was probably listening to Bob Marley on his beats head phones who d cap fits let them wear!!! Lol
A suggestion is sometimes (or often) more potent than something explicitly stated. That said, I appreciate the clarification, Lasana.
That point could easily be directed to Bovell too eh Ardene. If Trump says build a wall and, right after, Hillary says that idiot knows nothing about walls…
And then explains later that she was talking about her contractor. ??
Lol. It is what it is.
Sorry, Lasana but there is no parallel in my mind. I don’t know George personally, but I don’t see him launching a passive-aggressive attack on a teammate. Also, he is competing in a field riddled with its own discrepancies, allegations and suspicions.
So everyone is nuts for thinking it then Ardene? You see no reason why anyone thought he might be referring to Marisa?
Who is “everyone”? I didn’t get the impression everyone thought (read: assumed) that at all. I think it was way too convenient for folks to make that assumption.
Everyone is everyone who thought it, Ardene. Not everyone in the country. See how easy misperceptions are created?
You think that it is a matter of shame on them then?
Oh boy, look where we gone.
She falls into the category easily so though he might not have referenced her directly, her conscience and everybody else saved a spot for her right there … #poeticjustice lol
Jewel Headley look look!!!
#themaornothing so, #nothing!
From where I sit (3000 miles from home) and discussing the Marissa Dick issue with non Trinidadians, I am ashamed of all those negative comments on Facebook. Quite apart from Politics it seems that we are also divided along race and class lines. This is a time to unite and rally behind our representative… Whilst I feel for Thema, Marissa Dick didn’t choose herself. United we stand, divided we both fail and fall…But say what we like it so. Wayne Sturge
She didn’t choose herself…but she just went along with her mother n the TTGF choosing her over the person who Earned the spot…but yh..We like it so!
I surprise she didn’t fall flat on her face given the weight of the nation’s collective bad mind and ill wishes. I wonder if she’s learned anything. I for one am glad she’s gone so we can focus on our true team. Would have liked to see her fall on her face as well but oh well, I can satisfy with her being gone
” to see her fall on her face as well …” ouch! lol I suppose she deserves that!
Olympus has fallen..London has fallen and Dick has fallen.
Brian Brown smh. Share this with Robbie.
Well I for 1 am so glad that train wreck that was Dick’s debut is now over. The TTOC don’t have to put up no cringeworthy posts about tuning in to watch her. We can safely get into the true Olympic spirit and throw our good vibes behind 31 amazing deserving athletes who bleed red white and black to represent us! Let’s go T&T. By the way I found George tweet to be epic. Obviously he had to wait until her drab performance was history to make his feelings known. I respect him for speaking out. I’m sure his opinion was not a solitary one.
Indeed it can.
Actually Bovell’s tweet had nothing to do with MD. Lol. Ppl saw his tweet n assumed and ran with it all over social media! Although I admit that his timing could have given that impression.
Yes Cherisse I heard he was talking about the Hungarian swimmer. When I saw her swim I just knew she was on drugs yes!
Yh…I was saying yst that this Olympic Games just don’t have that buzz for me..and when I think about it…it’s all the scandals and doping allegations that’s puttin a damper on the Games. Clean athletes have such a hard time now. It’s really sad.
Yes it’s like we have to wait until they test them to clap?
Yes. Exactly!
I think Bovell’s stone can fit in more than one garden then Cherisse. 🙂
As if a dodgy tendering process is not quintessentially Trini! And the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago still has been to pay .
Karma is a bitch and anything wrongfully gotten shall be taken away.
Seriously?!
Good never came from bad….
Except a good cutass ….!!
Yeah mom was there
Lasana Liburd can you answer my question?
No. I have no idea. She is resourceful.
So how did she get accreditation? Please investigate Lasana Liburd I would love to know.
LOL, I now understand the question below. I didn’t see her myself, either. I saw Fuentes and her coach for the parts I watched. I didn’t realize that post was in response to speculation.
If it was her. I didn’t see her to be honest
this question needs answering…
How did the mother end up in the coach’s section? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m sure I heard them say her mother was sitting there when she finished her routine.
to all aspiring young ladies out there there is a moral to this story ……”don’t be a Dick”.
Umm so I feel the need to chime in here.
Firstly what has been said was correct, this was someone u considered a friend/training partner and u didn’t even speak with her before u boarded a jet to take her spot.
Reeks of under handedness and deceitfulness, had she earned her spot do you really believe there would be all this backlash??
Oh well?
Dick cometh and Dick goeth….so it go ?
“Poetic justice”… That’s as nasty as Thema can get? Lol.
She has personified grace, poise, and class throughout this whole harrowing ordeal.
Wishing her the best in her legal battle and beyond…
somehow I feel dick her mother and the TTGF get set up by TTOC because of their insistence going to the games lol
At Thema’s expense…
By the way, lovely photos Sean-miguel Morrison. 😉
Thanks bro
Aisha Morrison
Andre Bunting talk about CORRUPTIONS….
??
What does the procurement bill have to do with Marisa Dick? I’m more than willing to hear your arguments but keep to the topic
the man done make he point that we should all support dick after the level bs that when on….
I am not supporting Marisa….I am commenting on all you HATE & DISRESPECT….
??disrepect ???? seriously.. someone is butt hurt… where did i insult you or disrepect you ?
NOT ME…Disrespect Marisa for representing TT…
she not representing us.. dont be fooled.. the girl say she might be on the floor for Trinidad but in her heart shes Canadian.. what utter foolish you supporting ?
??? again i thought we talking about sports.. with madam dick ?? we gone to politics… again.. you supporting and endorsing thieving… and want to tell people put country first… you got no integrity with that level bs
Andre Bunting…if you care about CORRUPTIONS…Lobby the PNM Govt. to implement the “Procurement Bill” to curb CORRUPTION….and tell Stuart Young to introduce the “Campaign Finance Bill” all you JOKERS….
thats where the man gone… again.. some trinis small minded beyond… the man endorsing thieving and then telling people to put country first.. lol
nothing odd in her scores she has a long way to go in her profession to be close to perfect…just like so many otehrs
The odd thing is that the TTGF keeps saying she is brilliant but this tournament was just a bad one for her. But I go searching through her records and her scores are fairly consistent. Seems like it was a myth to begin with.
A myth among many myths.
what I saw is someone who needs a lot more training to compete- the TTGF are a bunch of frauds they have no place in rating talent. All the best to her …the real issue if the TTGF
The TTGF are the adults in the room who made the tainted decision. But the emails that show her and her mom canvassing for something that they knew didn’t belong to her.
That shows that Marisa was a willing accomplice and not blameless here.
She encouraged the TTGF to commit a crime against Thema and then merrily benefitted from it.
they complied they are worse-The should fire every member of TTGF
I agree. The TTGF is worse. Marisa and Hannifer Dick revealed something unpleasant about their own characters.
But the TTGF are the real villains here.
Well two down now the real fight begins no amount of money can compensate Thema for her loss but I want them to burn so they never ever have the right to make that kinda decision again and burn another child’s dream.
Loralee Jack Exactly! We need to ensure this never ever happens again! What I love is seeing Thema in the T&T Olympics montage on TV6…is that other person there? Not that I am missing her…but I saw Thema and was glad she was in it though she is not in Rio …
Has this now descended into a pnm vs unc thing?…. really? From Marisa Dick and Olympics to Imbert?
It takes a certain breed of person to wish the worst of the worst on someone who’s representing your nation at the Olympics despite all the alleged bacchanal at administrative level, in a sport mind you, that 99.9% of you don’t even take on to begin with! A bunch of petty bandwagonists is what this breed of people are
Principles dont have size issues. If its wrong in big things, its wrong in small. If you think because its just sport that we should not call stealing/buying Thema’s spot cheating then you sir must be a stranger to sport and your opinion is baseless.
It’s funny that Barry’s claiming that I declared he has no right to an opinion when he’s up in here dismissing people’s arguments on the basis of tone and gymnastics credentials. As if one has to be able to name ten dismounts in ten seconds in order to spot blatant wrongdoing.
Whoa whoa whoa! Group! Please explain this group to whom, and I quote, “I am speaking from outside of”, dear Calisa! And I eh dismissing nobody’s arguments, I just find them over the top here. I eh saying wrongdoing was done (and btw Google is crap, use Bing) but to wish for her to fail miserably as if she thief yuh man or murder yuh sister is some seriously misguided hate. I hope that justice will be served when the Olympics are over and done with, but for now, a lil support wouldn’t hurt.
“Such as small matter….and this is minor as corruption goes”….you all this is a lost cause. Abort mission. Lolol
Please scroll up for the explanation, Barry. If you were speaking from within the group, I imagine you wouldn’t be asking about it. And do feel free to employ your search engine of choice to do your own research. We’re busy over here.
I assume you’re directing your comment about the vehement arguments elsewhere, but re: that last part: you can’t want to fight injustice and support its fruits. That’s ridiculous.
LOL, Abeo, I know he’s lost. He’s up there quibbling about Bing (as if anyone uses Bing). Just killing time, m’dear.
For now a lil support wouldn’t hurt:
They tiefing money through contracts, but say what ppl getting wuk so a lil support or a blind eye wouldn’t hurt.
An attorney who is investigating said bobol is killed. But hey it was a small thing in the scheme of corruption. Why she had to be so over the top.
Streams to rivers. Rivers to seas.
But hey. We are over the top. Because this is not a microcosm of who we are as a ppl. I love this country. Love it.
Compartmentalization is key to maintaining the status quo. No matter WHAT you talk about, there’s always someone who will jump up and say “Why yuh studyin’ dat? Why yuh doh protest DIS?”, as if it’s not possible to address more than one issue at a time. And as if all of the issues of injustice and corruption aren’t inextricably linked to create the mess that is this society.
But never mind all that. How much yuh know about gymnastics dismounts?
????
Haha now THAT’s where the real anger and energy should be directed! Real nation-affecting issues! Well said Abeo! Sorry to say, but gymnastics is small fry compared to things that affect all Trinis like level bobol in government, industry and commerce.
LOL, Barry that’s the second time you misinterpreted something stated very clearly which makes me question your reading comprehension skills.
Lolol thank you for the perfect example of what we just outlined. And for missing the point by a galaxy. Your breed of ppl Barry, since you’re into breed identification, is hilarious. You are also the reason why we are exactly where we are in this gloriously infuriating Bananistan Republic.
Barry if we build a nation with sport cheats, its not one to be proud of.
Chris you are not speaking the language of Barry’s ppl. Lol. Again we need to abort mission.
The language of his people!!!!!
Interesting. One might argue the bandwagonist is the person willing to overlook all the scheming and corruption so as to cheer on the person who benefitted from said scheming and corruption because they happen to be standing on an international platform.
I not usually like this on social media, but really STFU and HYMC!!! B| B| B| B|
There are avenues for these things to be challenged (aka courts) and it’s a hard luck that it wasn’t sorted out in time. And this isn’t the first person to benefit from ah lil scheming; hell, EVERYDAY LIFE in sweet T&T revolves around scheming, corruption and selfishness at ALL levels. So to act up like this is the first ever case of maladministration in Trini history is a bit disingenuous
Very classy “Marlon Abner”. Good contribution to the mini debate. Have Yourself a Merry Christmas (HYMC) too.
When a man start to talk about “certain breed”, they open up themselves to all types of interpretations and responses… I responded according to how I interpret… As I said before, I not usually like that, but hey!!!
Hahaha ohhh now I know the source of the anger…..narrow-mindedness on your part. Sorry if I’ve offended you. Actually, no, I’m not.
LOL, oh, you’re one of those “Dais de way it does be”, people! Well, carry on smartly. Those who have had enough of corruption will continue to confront it where they can.
Correct! That is the way it does be. But if the primary basis of this amount of hate and animosity towards the girl has to do with corruption (and I know for a fact it isn’t), where is that vibrance, that energy to decry real endemic corruption in society? People like you are part of the toothless keyboard warriors jumping on the “f__k Dick” bandwagon.
A. You don’t actually know that for a fact because you’re speaking from outside of the particular group to whom you’re referring and… you’re wrong.
B. The outcry you’re asking about is actually happening; many of the people who are actively opposing this instance of injustice are opposing others. You don’t know that because you’re not part of that group either.
C. To paraphrase a wise (fictitious) woman: You know nothing, Barry Jordan, particularly about people like me. As evidence of that, see points A and B.
Abeo: Barry’s an expert.
Barry I dont kno y u think Dick deserves better. Her actions and her mother’s left abad taste in my gut. I am glad Thema Sued TTGF and I really see no problem with saying dick was served a perfectly cooked crow. She deserved far worse but since this life has those who see no problem with corruption in sport, politics and business, I am happy to tell those who want to say we should not speak against her to stuff that bullshit up your own wind pipe.
Thanks for referring me to Jon Snow Calisa. Much appreciated. But please enlighten me on this ” group” that you speak and why I suddenly have no right to an opinion because I’m not part of that group? I’m guessing by group you mean “avid diehard gymnastics enthusiasts” and not the book cover kind.
And to Chris Mark D, that’s your opinion if you want her to burn in hell as if she drowned 1000 puppies, as sad as it is. My beef is that the hate is overwhelming for such a small matter (and this is very minor as “corruption” goes). Allyuh is the kinda people see a hashtag online and then pretend to be activist for things that should be left to the courts. Tough luck, Dick already there, hope she does OK, full stop.
Who said you don’t have a right to an opinion? You have every right to think whatever you like. It just so happens that, in this instance, you’re wrong.
As for the group, if you want a name, one incarnation was offered in the press releases issued when this matter first blew up (feel free to consult Dr. Google on that one) and the people involved with this matter have been involved in various other matters in other arenas in various different configurations and capacities.
You see, here’s the thing about actually getting things done, as opposed to sitting behind a keyboard flinging baseless accusations: You’re not in it for the fame and much of the work happens behind the scenes. The first time keyboard warriors hear anything about it is when they crack those knuckles to jump with all ten fingers into a Facebook thread.
Imbert is PM… for 9th time in 10 months *
Oh GAWD!!! He Hittin HARD DEY!!
You tell dem George.
So the Olympics can begin for me now that i don’t have to see that conniving biatch and her mother. Hope they’re on a plane back to Canada and the next time we see them will be in court. Let the games begin.
She got a chance to prove herself….
. but the man call KARMA …. SET HER RIGHT
I didn’t feel hatred towards her. I felt nothing. I’ve never felt nothing, whilst watching a Trini athlete in the Olympics.
That about sums it up for me. I watched her performance and there was no usual tension willing her in spirit to do well. No vibes flowing from watching someone performing for your country. It was like ” OK she’s on now…. let me see what she would do”. And let’s face it ..she’s such a mediocre performer you just grateful she didn’t fall flat and embarrass the country..although with that final bars routine it was very nearly like landing on her ass!
Exactly!!
you never felt nothing? But what I do not like are these people who do not live in TNt but know when to use our taxpayer’s dollar to pursue a career by say they are representing the nation- They are representing themselves
I have no issue with her Canadian background. I agree with Shaka. I’m sure most people jump up when Birchall buss de net.
And Khalifa St Fort running with my heart long time!
Andre Bunting…if you care about CORRUPTIONS…Lobby the PNM Govt. to implement the “Procurement Bill” to curb CORRUPTION….and tell Stuart Young to introduce the “Campaign Finance Bill” all you JOKERS….
sure will the yellow team support it ??? i highly doubt it ..since they opposing everything the pnm brings to the table.
“Procurement Bill” already pass….PNM Govt. have to implement it….what country you living in…
TnT… my question how many other bills that have been passed but yet not implemented ?? i want them to surely implement this
Andre Bunting you make good sense – a single point has not been made here except that he knows where the question mark button is located and knows how to use it. 🙂