Kai, Jonathan and Warren added to Tokyo roster, TTOC take largest ever contingent to Olympics

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has added three athletes to its initial contingent for the Tokyo Olympic Games, after ‘a late request for amendment’ by National Association of Athletic Administrators of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) acting president George Commissiong.

A release by Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis stated that: ‘despite the administrative dilemma experienced by the NAAATT, the TTOC had consulted  with their legal advisor Dave Williams and opted to not allow the athletes to pay the price for the administrative issues on the local association’s part’.

Photo: Sprinter Kai Selvon will be part of Trinidad and Tobago’s 4x100m relay team at the Tokyo Olympics.
(via Zimbio)

The three athletes who benefit are: Portious Warren (shot put), Jonathan Farinha (men’s 4x100m relay) and Kai Selvon (women’s 4x100m relay). Lewis also revealed, at an online press conference yesterday, that 200m runner Jereem Richards will be added to the men’s 4x400m relay roster.

The changes mean Trinidad and Tobago will take their largest ever team to the Olympics, as the 33 Tokyo-bound athletes are one more than the travelling party for the Rio 2016 Games.

There are 20 men and 13 women in Team Trinidad and Tobago, which means they travel with one more than the 12 women who travelled to the Beijing 2008 Games—another record.

Rower Felice Aisha Chow, sprinters Kyle Greaux, Khalifa St Fort and Richards, and swimmer Dylan Carter are competing in their second Olympics, while sprinters Michelle-Lee Ahye and Kai Selvon, sailor Andrew Lewis, one-lap specialists Machel Cedenio and Deon Lendore, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott and hurdler Sparkle McKnight are all on their third trip.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago’s Semoy Hackett competes in the Women’s 4x100m relay final during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on 19 August 2016.
(Copyright AFP 2017/Johannes Eisele)

Sprinters Richard Thompson, the 2008 Olympics men’s 100m silver medalist, and Semoy Hackett are heading to the fourth Games while Kelly-Ann Baptiste will match swimmer George Bovell III’s record as a five-time Trinidad and Tobago Olympian.

The travelling contingent heads to Tokyo with one red and black polo each, compliments of the Sagicor insurance company.

“Sagicor takes enthusiastic pleasure in recognising our sporting heroes by partnering with the TTOC for this unprecedented Tokyo Olympics,” said Sagicor manager of Employee Benefits and Business Development, Gerard Scott. “Sagicor joins with the rest of the nation with expectant hope for our heroes to medal.”

Photo: TTOC Brian Lewis (right) receives sponsored polos for the Olympic team from Gerard Scott, manager of Employee Benefits, Business Development, at Sagicor’s head office in Port of Spain.
(via Sagicor)

The full list of the TTOC’s Tokyo continent comprise:

(TTOC management)

Lovie Santana (chef de mission), Rheeza Grant (Covid liaison oficer);


(Medical staff)

Dr Rudranath Ramsawak (chief medical officer), Dr Nailah Adams (team doctor), Dr Anyl Gopiesingh (athletics doctor), Jelani Baptiste, Alban Merepeza (both physiotherapists), June Durham, Odessa Chandler, Shurlan Bonas, Brent Elder (all massage therapists);

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago’s Khalifa St Fort (right) grabs the baton from teammate Kelly Ann Baptiste in the Women’s 4x100m Relay heats at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on 18 August.
(Copyright Jewel Samad/AFP 2016)

(Athletics)

Keshorn Walcott (men’s javelin), Portious Warren (shot put), Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kelly-Ann Baptiste (both women’s 100m and 4x100m relay), Semoy Hackett, Khalifa St Fort, Ayla Stanisclaus, Kai Selvon (all women’s 4x100m relay), Kion Benjamin, Adell Colthrust, Eric Harrison, Akanni Hislop, Richard Thompson, Jonathan Farinha (all men’s 4x100m relay), Kyle Greaux (men’s 200m), Jareem Richards (men’s 200m and 4x400m relay), Machel Cedenio, Deon Lendore, Dwight St Hillaire (all men’s 400m and 4x400m relay), Asa Guevara, Che Lara (men’s 4x400m relay), Sparkle McKnight (women’s 400m hurdles), Tyra Gittens (women’s long jump), Andwelle Wright (men’s long jump), George Comissiong (team manager), NicConnor Alexander, Dr Ian Hypolite, Charles Joseph, Ismael Lopez Mastrapa, Wendell Williams (all coaches);

(Boxing)

Aaron Prince (men’s middleweight 69-75kg), Reynold Cox (team manager), Rawlson Dopwell (coach);

Photo: Portious Warren is heading to the Tokyo Olympics to represent Trinidad and Tobago at shot put.

(Cycling)

Teniel Capbell (road race), Kwesi Browne, Nicholas Paul (both sprint and keirin), Desmond Roberts (team manager), Alejandro Gonzales Tablas (coach), Elisha Greene (mechanic);

(Judo)

Gabrielle Wood (women’s +78kg), Lee Calder (coach)

(Rowing)

Felice Aisha Chow (women’s single sculls), Sarah Trowbridge (coach)

Photo: Rower Felice Chow at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
(Copyright Sean Morrison/Wired868)

(Sailing)

Andrew Lewis (laser men), Kairon Serrette (team manager)

(Swimming)

Dylan Carter (100m freestyle), Cherelle Thompson (50m freestyle), Tracy De Montrichard-Carter (team manager), Chase Bloch (coach).

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2 comments

  1. Why are we sending athletes who have no chance of getting a medal (based on their recent performances) . I understand “getting the experience” factor, but many have been there before with no results. I also understand that the IOC gives substantial monies for these athletes to appear at the Games. But it is getting ridiculous!

  2. Based on current performances, most have no chance of serving a preliminary heat much less obtaining a medal. It seems to me that the athletic association should be using its resources to invest in developing an athletic infrastructure that promotes success. Is this just another joy ride for athletes and athletic officials?

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