The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by author “Nelson Luther Gandhi” and argues why Trinidad and Tobago should reject the decision—made initially by the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) and ratified by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)—to have gymnast Marisa Dick represent the nation at …
Read More »The Great Training Robbery: TTOC sent wrong message to young athletes
Columnist Earl Best says Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) boss Brian Lewis made a ‘white-collar’ decision in selecting Marisa Dick for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Dear Brian, I don’t know what your experience has been but I know from my own experience that there are times when you have to cut off …
Read More »Ex-TTGF official takes responsibility for removing Lue Shue’s name from Dick’s FIG profile
A former Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) official, who asked to remain anonymous, has taken responsibility for changes to Marisa Dick’s profile on the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) website. More specifically, the official claimed that it was she—rather than the FIG—who deleted TTGF second vice president Ricardo Lue Shue’s …
Read More »TTGF: We are very grateful; Geddert: What a shameful moment in sports
“This circumstance and situation is a dark cloud over the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic movement,” said Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis. “It was one of the most gruelling and difficult situations that the TTOC has ever found itself in. We could have made decisions on the …
Read More »We had no choice! TTOC’s full statement on selection of T&T gymnast Marisa Dick
“The TTOC games management committee has therefore ruled that the TTOC has no choice but to include Marisa Dick in the Team TTO Rio 2016 declaration,” said Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis. “I repeat the decision was significantly influenced by the FIG letter of April 29, …
Read More »TTOC vote for Dick! Marisa will create history for T&T gymnastics at Rio Olympics
The Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) will achieve a personal milestone at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as—for the first time in its history—the local board will send a gymnast to the world’s most illustrious sporting event. But, according to how you review the circumstances, it will not be …
Read More »FIG responds: Only Dick can go to Rio; refuses to verify accreditation timeline
FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler responded today on the controversial deselection of gymnast Thema Williams and accreditation of her alternate, Marisa Dick, for the Rio 2016 Olympic Test event on 17 April 2016. And FIG’s response was identical, despite the specificity of the questions, to Wired868, Williams’ attorney Dr Emir …
Read More »Cut throat gymnast? Marisa always believed she could get Thema’s spot
On 9 November 2015, a letter was sent from the email address of Hannifer Dick, the mother of Trinidad and Tobago international gymnast Marisa Dick, to Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) second vice-president Ricardo Lue Shue. Marisa, according to the email, was “heartbroken” after discovering that was not selected …
Read More »Sliver of hope: Thema hopeful of Olympic spot; admits to friction with Dicks
“There does exist a chance of Thema (Williams) still going to the Olympics,” said Canada-based sport attorney Dr Emir Crowne. “There is a committee called the Tripartite Commission; and in every sport they deal with exceptions to the rule… “The deadline to file that application was January 15. But they …
Read More »Did FIG break own rules for Dick? International body asked about Thema decision
The International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) can feasibly be drawn into the controversy regarding the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastic Federation’s (TTGF) decision to replace Thema Williams with her alternate, Marisa Dick, at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Test event on April 17. Williams’ de-selection, which was ostensibly done on the grounds …
Read More »Marisa does not feel anyone is fighting for her! The full email to the TTGF last November
“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 …
Read More »Thema moves on TTGF; gymnast seeks damages and relief for wrongdoings
Trinidad and Tobago international gymnast Thema Williams will seek “damages, declarations and relief for all of the wrongdoings” from the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF), as attorneys for the 20-year-old athlete served legal notice of her intention today. Williams is represented by local attorney Keith Scotland and Canada-based Dr Emir …
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