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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.
(Courtesy UWI.sta.edu)
Eminent local attorney Martin Daly SC has joined “Team Thema” and will add his expertise to Williams’ legal staff, which is headed by Keith Scotland and also included Dr Emir Crowne.
And although Williams will not go to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and must watch her alternate, Marisa Dick, participate instead, the TTGF might have to account for its actions in a court of law.
Worse, for the gymnastics body, Williams’ attorneys are believed to be targeting not just the federation but individual officials as well. If successful, it could be a landmark case for athletes and sport administrators—the latter party having generally been shielded from personal liability.
Daly, like the rest of Williams’ legal team, is working pro bono.
“The answer (as to why I have joined this case) is the conduct of the federation and its officials,” Daly told Wired868, “greatly disturbed my sense of justice.”
At present, the TTGF is represented by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC.
(Courtesy Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs)
Gymnastics officials have complained about being harassed ever since their controversial replacement of Williams with Dick, on the eve of the April 17 Olympic Test Event in Rio de Janeiro.
Dick attended one press conference with five police officers while TTGF assistant treasurer Donna Lue Shue is believed to have filed police reports and had reports filed against her by blogger Abeo Jackson and Eamon Young, related to the gymnastics scandal.
Williams’ legal team is expected to provide further information on the evolving matter later this week.
Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis has also vowed to bring the TTGF before an independent disciplinary committee under clause 13 of its constitution, which is titled “Measures and Sanctions.”
Clause 13 states that: “When a member has failed to fulfil his/her or its duties. has infringed the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and/or this Constitution or has not respected or implemented the decisions or resolutions of the organs of the IOC, he/she or it may be subject to the following graduated measures and sanctions (depending on the gravity of the facts and the level of damage or infringement): (a) Warning, (b) Suspension, (c) Expulsion.”
(Courtesy Wired868)
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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.
All the legal after thoughts will not put back ‘humphy dumpy” together again.
,,,
I hope they all pay #JusticeNeeded
Rock on TnT…what a great island!!
Raven Wilkinson was too dark and was asked to paint her face white for ballet. Surya Bonaly was discriminated against because of her body type and skin colour in figure scating. But i digress……..Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas, against all odds, won gold in the 2012 Olympics and was the first black gymnast to win an individual goal award. Karma has a way of claiming its pound of flesh only time will tell.
Bravo!
Go Thema go Thema *happy dance* TTGF gon learn today!
Lol. Alright alright alright…
It’s so unfair and sad ,for Thema she will represent us i sense it , it’s never to late lets keep the Hope alive
impossible.
Ent he on team Duprey as well?
Dear Sc Martin Daly. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts. Deal with them now for us please. Don’t hold back. Fire!
Stop that Canadian representing us. She and her mother maybe laughing at us Trinidadians. Lets take a stand…..if not Thema no one else.
Shows good judgement
And Brian Lewis need to shut his face the one he is now trying to save. Too little too late Mr Lewis take your TTOC and ride off into the sunset. Hayo Pancho.
Go for the juggler Martin.
noooo…leave the clowns alone Martin!
Team Thema all the way.
I just hope that these individuals are PRIVATELY paying Mr. Maharaj for his services.
It’s bad enough that my tax money funded the TTGF’s bobol and dream-stealing. To fund their coverage of their own asses would just be adding insult to the injury.
And YES – Injury. I feel it too because “Thema Williams” could just as easily have been anyone else’s daughter. >:-(
Very good let them know what they did was not right, and the world is looking on.
They robbed that girl. Bastards !
Make each and every single one accountable for the refusal to follow their own rules and in so doing, irreparably damage this national athlete’s opportunity to compete in Rio!! Nobody is supposed to be above the law. Nobody.
O give it a rest now. More important things to focus on in this country presently. Like job creation, out of control crime,murder rate n high cost of living.
hmmm it may not be important to you FK but it is important to the child involved. The sports fraternity has nothing to do with the list you made…. nothing at all… THAT is the Government’s job…
thank God u have no say in d matter!
Steups… Stupid
We understand the current situation in Trinidad and Tobago sir…and maybe God knows best, because he is in control. However this young lady because of this emotional trauma could have easily gone down the wrong road. Gone into depression, loose her sanity or even worst. I pray that God gives her the strength and courage through this ordeal.
Mr Khan This may not be
Important to you but to myself and many many others THIS issue is vital. Had it happen to your child what would think then?
Don’t bother dat’s just one of Marisa’s supporters! U r a dumb ass bitch and I in mad at ya!
You’re so right Lovie Reds . It’ so damn difficult to deal with fools .
could do without the negative comments
Martin may be a senior counsel but that’s not a synonym of miracle worker. We all know he’ll do his best and add value to the team but LET’S NOT GO COUNTING ANY CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED. Keith Look Loy is right to urge caution; the law, remember, is an ass.