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“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.”
The preceding email—excerpts of which were used by TV6 on Monday April 25—was sent from the email address of Hannifer Dick, the mother of Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Marisa Dick, on 9 November 2015, which was three weeks after Thema Williams qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Test event at the Glasgow 2015 World Championship.
Dick and Williams and their respective parents both signed pre-World Championship contracts, which stated that the gymnast who performed best in Glasgow would take Trinidad and Tobago’s sole berth in Rio.
Williams went on to place 59th while Dick finished 77th.
However, Dick’s email suggested that she—in tandem with second vice president Ricardo Lue Shue and Canadian choreographer Anita Pelletier—discussed setting a new qualification criteria after Williams had already earned the spot.
Pelletier noted that the trio’s machinations were meant to be private but had been leaked by “Team Thema.”
The TTGF delayed naming Williams as its appointed gymnast for three weeks, while it apparently considered setting a new yardstick. But Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis advised the gymnastics body that it was bound to give the spot to Williams.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Hannifer appeared upset by the decision.
“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.”
Hannifer also claimed that her daughter met the criteria for the Rio Olympic Test event while performing with an injury—believed to be a dislocated rib—in Glasgow.
Ironically, Williams was ruled out of Rio Test event due to a sore ankle, although TTGF president David Marquez made the decision without a medical report and, according to Williams’ coach John Geddert, a Brazilian doctor subsequently ruled that she was able to compete.
(Courtesy Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs)
(Letter from email address of Hannifer Dick, which appeared to be sent to TTGF second vice president Ricardo Lue Shue)
At 11 pm, on 9 November 2015: I wanted to let you know that Marisa is now aware that she was not chosen to go to the test event in Rio. It was posted onto the TTOC website which Thema has shared.
Marisa is heart broken because nowhere there does it mention that she has represented Trinidad and Tobago for the last four years and has done so with the utmost respect for everyone involved.
I have tried to tell her that there is hope but at this point she does not feel like anyone is fighting for her.
Thema’s mother Helen is mentioned several times and this has all played out in the media. We have not spoken to anyone in the media nor has anyone from the media there tried to contact us.
I do not understand why this decision was made without putting into effect the two competition still to take place.
Dick was born in Canada to a Trinidadian mother, Hannifer.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Both Thema and Marisa competed in three competitions and the first being in Puerto Rico wherein Marisa did the job that was required of her. The second being Pan Am qualifications. Marisa showed that she was a true competitor and qualified a spot for Trinidad and Tobago to send a gymnast to the Pan Am Games.
Marisa tore her Achilles tendon which required surgery. She then spent the next year working hard and fighting to get back to the top of her game while still being respectful to everyone and being a good role model to everyone she has come into contact with.
Marisa has accomplished so much for Trinidad and Tobago by bringing home their first ever international medals, qualifying to the all around at the Pan Am Games and improving on her position by 6 positions.
She did this after a horrible injury and much hard work. That is dedication and a love of the sports. In the four years who has done more.
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.
Dick placed 14th with a total of 51.25.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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. Her words to me was “how come no one sees how much I have done?”
I have always told Marisa to believe in her self and just do what she has trained. She did just that at Worlds. We all know how injured she was and still went out and competed as the true champion she is.
We went into Worlds with two goals and those being: (1) to be able to qualify a position to the Test Event in Rio (which she did); and (2) to debut a new skill which she has spent hours upon hours learning. This is another first.
At this point, I am not sure how to help her believe. We knew that if Marisa had placed higher that we would have to prove that she deserved the position.
I never expected to have fairness taken away, I just assumed that what was right would be just that.
(Courtesy Hannifer Dick)
(Letter from email address of Anita Pelletier to Hannifer Dick, which is copied to Marisa Dick’s coach, Ovidiu Serban, and TTGF second vice-president Ricardo Lue Shue)
At 11.49 pm on 9 November 2015: I would like to hear back from the federation tomorrow telling us the plan for addressing this situation publicly. This is no longer private due to team Thema.
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True words
Isn’t she the girl who said although she has Trini in her, she’s Canadian to her heart?
Marisa u know u didn’t go to Rio on ur own merit so do d right thing and step down n gv Thema back her rightful place that she earned to represent her country
Gerard you’re entitled to your opinions but don’t presume to know that we’ll change our tune if the girl medals ….it’s the principle of the thing or did you miss the train? Marissa has manipulated her way into the spot with biased help ….that is unacceptable and makes anything she achieves in that status flawed! How is it bandwagonists for standing for what is right? Absolute bollocks!!
As are you but If it is that the TTOC allowed themselves to be manipulated like that then it is their head on the block. As I have said I have no ill feelings against either young lady, love to them both and I wish them both the best!
how yuh gonna put Anya in that same boat with this doh?
nah mannnnn..that realllll far off the bandwagon lol
At the end of the day I choose not to judge, but keep an open mind and trust in the individual. I loved Anya and was really upset with the cards that were dealt to her and felt proud of her achievements. I have nothing against Marisa nor Thema. I am not fighting either, love for them both.
Gerard…i understand you probably dont know the fine details about this case..but i know you’re not saying that if an injustice was done to Thema and Marisa was put in her place simply bcus the TTGF and others felt she was the better gymnast that all of T&T should turn a blind eye and just go with the flow and be thankful we have somebody at the Olympics even if an injustice was done…I know that’s not what you’re saying at all, Gerard.
I am one Trinbagonian who doesn’t share the views of most. If one thing is clear to me is that we are emotional in our thinking and bandwagonist. I have seen it with Anya and others. When Anya photos were leaked most were applaud and had a lot to say. Look what happened after winning a top designer competition. Whether your decision is to go with either young woman, I am sure they would do their best to make us proud. I am not going to speculate or jump to conclusions. If Marisa were to return from the Olympics with a medal they all will be singing a different song. At the end of the day I would HOPE the TTOC will put their best foot forward.
Snap, snap,snap,snap, snap,snap,snap!
As I read Ms Dick’s emails about the Rio TTGF representation fiasco I realised that Ms Dick has a profound understanding of how the cultures of post colonial states work.
You see in these cultures the most valuable tears are the tears of either a white woman or one who looks more white than not with good hair!!!!
In those cultures all must be done to prevent the shedding of white or brown tears. Everyone understands and pretends that White or Indian women are the personification of delicacy and powerlessness and must at all times be protected, shielded and prevented from the grittier side of life.
I’ve seen white and Indian women leverage the delicate flower card many many times to great benefit. For jobs, for help, for favours.
Black women and especially dark skinned black women cannot play that card. Because we all “know” the descendants of field niggers are inherently strong, have broad backs and “could take it” right!!! So a black woman and especially a dark black woman has to PROVE she deserves a place she earned while the other delicate flowers only need shed a tear and will be magically gifted whatever they want at the expense of those less able to play the delicate flower card.
And since niggers were so well trained during religion and slavery we are expected to forgive the who steal or places through foul underhanded means and turn around and also protect these delicate flowers.
God forbid a black person especially a woman and a dark skinned one at that play “uppity” and demand her rights!!! The collective, the TTGF now have to show her her place!!!
No one should go to Rio!!!!!
Let’s break out of these racist stereotypes.
NO ONE SHOULD GO!!!!!!!
she came last almost in canadian tryouts… steups fight for you…oh please..
De TTGF and she mudda aka Georgette Heinz well fight fuh she. Wah more she want? Steups
don’t care what nobody said they find thema too black……..stay strong Thema.
he know that since last year and still sent out that report?
fyah fuh that
When Thema was cleared to compete after the photo fiasco the TTGF made a point to state that her Rio spot was conditional upon her being healthy and there were reports that she was nursing an ankle injury. This would have clued some that there was more to come. Coach was however clueless and provided the opening. He gave a report via email as though there was a word limit…Twitter perhaps?…Observers who got their info from TV media as opposed to Wired believe that TTGF genuinely cared about Thema when they pulled her. But the devil is in the details as they say.
Sorry to say Dick I’m 2000 percent Thema
Marisa is right. We are not rooting for her at all and it is unfortunate that her mother her coach and the members of the TTGF placed her in this difficult position. She therefore needs to direct her frustrations to those responsible and it’s not Thema or trini citizens.
Who the f cares about you
It doesn’t really matter that she is Canadian/Trini. If she was full Trini and got the spot by the same way, it is still wrong. Would you all still support someone who cheated to get a reward that is underserving?
I feel really bad for this Miss Dick!
My question is :-
1. She did not make the Canadian team.
2. She did not argue with them.
3. She was very quiet about it.
4. She thinks that people in Trinidad are fools, so she can make her own decision, and DEMAND THAT SHE REPRESENT T&T, and people must just shut up and accept her, because she was born in Canada and that makes her better than Thema…….
5. Why did she not jump up and argue with the Canadian team when they told her “MARISA SIT DOWN, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO THE OLYMPICS, BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY SLOPPY, SHITTY, AND JUST NOT READY”…….
6. Marisa know this:-
If you are not good enough to represent one country (Canada) for the olympics, HOW THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT TO REPRESENT ANOTHER COUNTRY(Trinidad &Tobago) ??????? It’s the SAME OLYMPICS they both are speaking about which you are still trying your best to represent…..WHY R U SO DARN HARD HEADED ???????…… YOU ARE NOT READY FOR OLYMPICS or ANY WHERE NEAR OLYMPICS MATERIAL……that is why you were KICKED OFF THE CANADIAN TEAM…….NO GOOD…NO GOOD….TRASHY…SLOOPY…PUSHY…..GREEDY….BOLD FACE……and the list goes on
Oh boo hoo
Wow, some athletes lack the concept of integrity, team Dick could’ve taken the higher path ,not to involve themselves in any unfair scheme against a fellow teammate, even with the public outcry these scumbags still believe they doing the right thing .
Why should we fight for a cheat??
..Not apathetic. Self-centred. Self-obssessed. Selfish. Entitled…
And judging from Hannifer’s public statements of late, quite possibly disingenuous too.
I agree with all of those words. The mother for sure looks like a lying, cheating conniving “…” but the child seems to be growing up with a sense of entitlement like she really believes she deserves the spot. These people really do feel they better than us.
When I read about the machinations of Dick’s mother I starting to feel sorry for the child. What kind of values this woman imparted to her? They actually seem to feel entitled and aggrieved. They are not clueless as I first thought but seem totally oblivious to the wrong that was done to Thema. It’s not that Dick’s team lacks the intellectual capacity to understand why the whole country is against them. It’s that they’re too apathetic to put themselves in Thema’s shoes.
Nothing wrong with supporting your daughter but manipulating the system to get it #marissaout #Hanniferout
The mother seems to think it impossible that Thema is better than her daughter, I could understand that, it’s natural I guess . But to use your influence with the VP and other on the board to deny a young woman who worked just as hard and gave up a lot more for this once in a lifetime opportunity is just devious and wicked. Thema is more or less old in gymnastics terms and may never have a shot at the Olympics again whereas Marisa may have another chance. . Thema been representing TnT from day one, born and bred, Marisa only the last 4yrs after failing to make the Canadian team, so it’s quite easy to see where people’s loyalties lie.
Ok she born in Canada… Mother Trinidadian. Let’s pretend and take that out of the equation. The criteria; standard stipulated by the board was… who ever places higher at the trial (World’s )will represent us at the Olympics. Thema made the mark !! Marisa did not. That is the bottom line. Now they want to change the rules. .. the “horse” they wanted and was expecting to win came up short and Thema is being made the casualty in all of this. It is unethical, immoral, and plain evil. Thema or any athlete should expect that if they work hard and compete what ever they accomplish should be theirs to claim. On the day that counted, at the competition that mattered Marisa came up wanting while Thema Williams made the mark.
That is it… that is the bottom line.
If Thema has that taken away from her (and that is exactly what they are attempting to do) . Then no one should represent because they have not earned it.!!!!!!!
Marisa has found herself under the care of some very unscrupulous adults. … I feel sorry for her!
If they were both born and home bred would it be clearer as to exactly what is transpiring.
That Trinidad and Tobago is at a loss as to what is right, moral and just and we have gotten so accustomed to doing things with the end justifying the means that we are no longer able to see clearly anymore. How many shades of gray.. is the number on this TTGF
But if you look you will see it is as plain as black and white
I love this!!!!
Word!
Well said…
I wish I could like this 1000 times! Well said!
based on what is being revealed……………NO ONE SHOULD !!!!!!!!!!!
Nobody eh fighting fuh Dick?
Yuh beat meh to it ??
???
If first past the post was AGREED UPON………….what is the problem now ?……………..Marissa needs to do a ” Larry Gomes ” return to the nets and await an opening………….not mischievously create one !
Shaun Lynch Mel Lissa she still innocent ??
As far as I see..yup
They may have been lobbying hard for the spot, that is their job, were they trying to change the rules? yes. BUT>>>THE BOARD didn their shit
And the lobbying was unsuccessful as Thema was selected.
Until her coach gave them the opening they were looking for though
Anyone could send any email begging for anything..the final decision isn’t theirs to make
If coach had written that report after the first day… Whole different story.
Chabeth Haynes that is true, but if the board did their job properly whole different story too
Meaning followed the proper procedure with less than 24 hours to go before the competition? When they say they tried to reach Geddert and couldn’t?
Not absolving the board in any way and they are doing what they have to in order to cover themselves even more hence the therapist lady was the head of delegation and then she wasn’t.
Everybody needs to produce phone records so we could see who called who how many times and how much of an effort the board made to reach Geddert.
Chandani Boodoo yes but i think the coach said it was a daily report, specific to that particular day. Not meant to be a blanket statement on her performance as he has since confirmed and said he’s disgusted with how they used what was a daily evaluation for their own sinister purpose
Thema’s team need to bring the law suit ..let the truth be known!
Everything the coach said was after the fact
The decision was already made
Mel Lissa Thema’s lawyers supposed to have a press conference tomorrow
ok Elise..
hope we could get coverage
They saying a sore ankle not good but a fractured rib ok>?
I’m saying that’s what ttoc has to decide. Everything else is irrelevant.
(But Marisa’s coach didn’t ask her to withdraw eh…)
Thats true, the coach is a real kaka hole]
or say there was no chance of podium
Or use the word “disaster”
or send a report anyway that mentions anything like he did when he said he KNEW they were looking to rid themselves of her!!
They were bounbd to take Thema, but wanted Dick and he gave them the opening they wanted. I maintain he assisted Dick in getting to Rio
He did
It would seem a setup but then he turned on the TTGF kinda defeats the purpose ….. so I’m wondering if it was just a frustrated report on her form at the time.
Malik Johnson might be just that, but if you say you know they wanted to replace her why share your frustration with the Board???
He’s an experienced, well known coach..he didn’t think that his “frustrated rant’ would harm her?
That’s not very smart
yeah he in damage control now dais all
Agreed …he’s an idiot
all ah dem screw the poor girl out of her rightful place, it was a perfect storm.
I dont think Geddert was ever in cahoots with the TTGF to oust Thema.
I think he was playing games too. Which is why he didn’t mention anything about injury and withdrawal until the final email. He thought it was too late to replace Thema plus he covered his own ass by giving an honest assessment. That’s my view of his ridiculous email.
Chabeth Haynes that is a valid assessment
Malik Johnson i think the coach said it was a daily report, specific to that particular day. Not meant to be a blanket statement on her performance as he has since confirmed and said he’s disgusted with how they used what was a daily evaluation for their own sinister purpose
Onika Nkrumah-Lakhan how can it be a daily report when he said he asked her to withdtaw the week before due to injury and falls??? Why did he not send that report the week prior? Makes no sense had to be a weekly report
Daily reports had to be done once they were in Brazil. But why didn’t he say it after the first day? And in a positive way too. As in “last week she had me so worried that I asked her about withdrawing but she’s shown so much progress since then that I’m confident she’ll earn this spot at the Olympics.”
Had he said it after the first day he would have given the TTGF more than enough time to address the situation in accordance with the contract. And they would have had no excuse not to do so.
I like Chabeth’s account that makes more sense to me.
Chandini, in reading all the coach’s reports, I cannot remember him telling Thema to withdraw, I remember him asking if she feels she can compete and she said yes.
Allowing an athlete to compete with fractured ribs is a criminal act. A sore ankle can be tightly strapped and pain killers taken….no comparison whatsoever. Sore ankles are common ailments in gymnastics, especially in the floor routine, they are not fooling anybody.
They violated their own mandate and laws, they had no right to remover her with further info, even with the time constarints
I hope Brian Lewis shows his strength as a highly reputable sport administrator and does the right thing in this situation. Ball’s in his court now.
Was that another Dick pun? ???
Agree Kirwin… I like & admire Mr.B Lewis but this case needs strong leadership in it’s decision [whether liked or not] No sitting on the fence here!
Looks so Lasana Liburd…nonchalantly though, lol
Seems he’s our only hope Nicholas don’t know if anyone else has the whit to do such
Is any of this email relevant to where we are now though?
Even after all of this email back and forth, Thema was announced as the one to go to the qualifier.
I think all that needs to be determined is whether the TTGF acted reasonably in removing Thema given the reality of the time constraints with respect to when they received Geddert’s report.
That’s what I would think
Even though of the time constraint, the fact remains that ” only a medical person” was/ is authorized to make that call..and the masseur/physio, plus a Brazilian doctor approved her fitness….MARQUEZ superseded their advice.
WOW!! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! This still does not absolve Thema’s coach in my humble opinion of writing a jackass assessment of his athlete, especially after he knew they were looking to replace her with Dick!
That said the Board acted without consideration of their own rules and should all just disappear into the night.
They conspired with another athlete to replace the RIGHTFUL athlete with an alternate that does NOT deserve the place in Rio!
At this point I am not sure that we should send any athlete to represent T&T in Gymnastics if that athlete is not Thema.
And since the opportunity to earn that place is now gone for her, one can always argue that it would be better to have someone represent the nation, but that will be salt in the wound and I stand by Thema!
No gymnast should go to Rio to represent T&T.
No gymnast for Rio. We have to forfeit that spot and allow Azerbaijan to take it.
At one point, I sympathized with Marisa from an athlete’s perspective. Knowing now that both she and her mother HANNIFER conspired with LUE SHEU, MARQUEZ and the “we did what we had to do” SECRETARY, and not forgetting her Canadian coach, the governing OLYMPIC body should surrender T&T place in the Olympics since Thema cannot replace the little conspirator Marisa….CANADIAN GYMNASTIC COACHING ASSOCIATION, ” TAKE NOTE” ( don’t be lured into other federations business)
I’ve been following every report since the photographs incident and it’s just gone from bad to worse. What has happened to Thema is without a shadow of a doubt, unjust! And folks, lets be clear about the abilities of these two athletes, they are both good but if you truly are a follower of gymnastics, they are far far from the best in the world. Thema was the better of the two by all the performances against Melisa. Melisa ranks very low in the standings and any Olympic medal from her is very unlikely. So lets refocus on the unjust process that took place and right the wrong against Thema. No one goes this year for Gymnastics.
*Marisa …
Rainbow Child thank u. corrected
Exactly no Thema no Dick.
Agreed
You’re welcome
And I agree with you
If its not Thema then its no one
#themaorazerbaijan
Cry me a river
Thema or nothing!
Based on the communication between the TTGF and the athletes parents, contracts were signed to the effect that whichever athlete finishes above the other will be the one chosen to go to the test event..THEMA finished 17 places ahead of Marisa. The mother of Marisa refused to inform her daughter Marisa of the decision, claiming that her daughter worked hard etc…question…did Thema also worked hard. Here comes the DECEIT. Marisa’s mother emailed RICARDO LEU SHEU complaining..( sour grapes) about her daughter’s non selection etc….A note here to MARISA’S MOTHER…ALL athletes work hard to accomplish their life long dream, so while your daughter did what she ought to do, she failed in her efforts and this was quite clear to the scoundrels of the TTGF…This is clear as..BLACK AND WHITE.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” What this reveals is that the seeds of this fiasco were sown way back when MD was initially allowed to compete under the TT flag. Citizenship of convenience? As often happens, its the adults who mess-up and the children who pay the price. As it now stands,even if MD is given the green light, the “victory” would be phyrric.
And no one will fight for you under these conditions. You choose to trample over one of our own for self agrandisement. We do not care about you as a result. NO ONE SHOULD GO…SINCE THEMA WAS PULLED SO THAT YOU COULD QUALIFY. CRAWL BACK UNDER YOUR CANADIAN ROCK.
STEUPS.
Hmmm
So certain people tears don’t matter. That mother somehow feels less for her daughter’s pain than you do? This debacle is filled with so many nuances, I feel it will end up a case study in Social Sciences or some damn thing oui
Even Thema’s Coach Geddert is DISGUSTED by this whole shit!!! and the TTGF—#GOHOMEDICK!!!!
They too disgusting…. Thema girl get yuh $$$
Stupezzzzzz we doh even care if she go
And if she wins that medal won’t mean anything to us
Exactly
Coming with crocodile tears, sad stories and going on all the morning programs wearing the T&T sweat shirt will not help. Try again.
Who fighting for you? Well apparently the entire TTGF. Reading this piece is vexing. Thema or Nothing