Carmona: Athletes not getting sufficient support

Carmona was speaking at an installation ceremony of the executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic (TTO C) Committee at the Office of the President in St Ann’s, yesterday. The re-elected members of the TTO C were president Brian Lewis, Dr Terry Ali, Diane Henderson, Annette Knott, Dave Williams and Wendell Constantine. Former 1986 Miss World Giselle La Ronde- West, Curtis Nero, Nadine Khan, Racquel Moses, Ephraim Serrette and Reyah Richardson were among the newcomers installed. The executive will serve till 2020.

Carmona said this country’s athletes are not being given the support they deserve, saying a nation’s athletes are an important asset to any country. He used the example of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt who he believes is doing more for tourism in Jamaica than their tourism board.

“Quietly I have listened to the pains, the hurts and the afflictions of many of our elite athletes,” Carmona said.

“I can speak of one instant of a young man who has done us proud, who is suffering injury. He returns home for treatment, he has to stay in a hotel, he has no access to any kind of housing. On that particular note it appears to be a common denominator of complaint that our athletes are not given the privilege and the honour of being provided with adequate housing. So I hope in fact that the authorities do listen, because their worth could never be quantified in dollars and cents.” Carmona said the nation should not wait until victorious athletes come home with medals to give them support.

“We love to go up to the airport and wave flags, but we are not interested in the road to success. It is so important to support our athletes on that road to success - in good times and in bad times.” Earlier in the ceremony, Lewis challenged his team and himself to step up to the challenge of their roles. Lewis said, “We, each of you who have today taken an oath of office, I commend you for accepting the responsibility. But I caution you that it is not a responsibility, a duty and an obligation to take lightly.” Lewis said the young people are depending on those who have a position of leadership in TT . “Our country and our youth and our children, are crying out for a sense of hope and a feeling that those in leadership have the commitment and the dedication to put self interest and egos aside for the better good, the greater good. We have a responsibility to create a sustainable future for the Olympic movement in Trinidad and Tobago.”