What dollar value would you place on the trauma of being robbed the chance to compete at the Olympic Games? For 20 year old gymnast Thema Williams, it is worth TT$10 million. And Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) president David Marquez, first vice president Akil Wattley, second vice president …
Read More »Martin Daly SC joins “Team Thema”: Attorneys set for fresh assault on TTGF
The war between 20 year old Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Thema Williams and the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) might only be just getting started. Eminent local attorney Martin Daly SC has joined “Team Thema” and will add his expertise to Williams’ legal staff, which is headed by Keith …
Read More »Letter to the Editor: Marisa Dick’s selection is the ‘fruit of a poisonous tree’
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 »Thema’s options narrow; T&T gymnast may not qualify for IOC Tripartite help
Thema Williams’ hopes of circumventing her controversial deselection from the Rio 2016 Olympic Test event, at the hands of the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastic Federation (TTGF), were a sliver to begin with. They look even thinner now, as it appears that the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) is not …
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 »Ricardo’s greatest work is likely to be in the future: When FIG official batted for Lue Shue
“Ricardo’s greatest work is likely to be in the future,” stated Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) vice-president and International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) men’s technical committee president, Steve Butcher, in a letter on 19 August 2012. “(…) Ricardo (Lue Shue) has surrounded himself with an excellent team.” The following letter, excerpts …
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 …
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