TT Olympians anticipate the future after Rio

Women’s 400-metre hurdler Bellille and superheavyweight boxer Paul were among four TT athletes returning home yesterday. The other athletes returning were women’s 200m runner Reyare Thomas and men’s 200m runner Kyle Greaux. Greeting the athletes and TT Olympic officials at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport were members of the TT Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Sports Company of TT .

In a short address, Bellille said the TT athletes are looking ahead.

She stated, “First and foremost, I really want to thank God for the opportunity we were all given. Rio wasn’t our best Olympics. We have to move forward from this point. We the athletes have the power to do what we need to do. This is a down time and I think this was an eye-opener for everybody.

What we are going to do now is go back to the drawing board and get everything together mentally. TT needs to support us.” TT won one medal at the Rio Olympics with Keshorn Walcott earning bronze in the men’s javelin event.

Bellille thanked the 32 athletes for representing the country along with the medical staff, coaches, the TTO C and the Sports Company and said it is always a pleasure wearing red, white and black.

Paul knows he did not get the result everyone was hoping for but he is looking forward to the future. He said, “I am just proud to make it to the Olympics and represent TT . Moving forward I will have to sit down and have talks with the coaching staff.

We are just looking at what is best for my career moving forward.” Paul, who is only boxing competitively for one and a half years, added that he was thrilled to compete at the highest level in sport and it was an experience he will treasure for the rest of his life.

Paul, who unfortunately lost in his opening bout at the Olympics, is hungry for success.

“Knowing the person that I am competition wise, I don’t take losing lightly. I can’t wait to start back training and work on my game and get back to the drawing board and work harder and try to perfect the art of boxing.”