Brown described as ‘great ambassador’

Trinidad and Tobago’s new sprint hero Darrel Brown who earned the silver medal at the just concluded IAAF World Outdoor Championships held at the Stade de France in Paris, France has come in for high praise. This was showered by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes and TTIC vice-president Larry Romany, just back from Athens where the 2004 Olympics will be staged. Boynes received Brown and hosted a welcome reception at the Piarco Millennium Airport VIP Lounge on Monday evening. The overjoyed minister, who kept in touch with Brown’s parents (Winston Brown and Marlyn Jack Brown) and Darrel via telephone in Paris offering his support, described Darrel as “great ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago and a inspiration to the youths of the country.” He offered special congratulations and promised to help him and other members of both the male and female relay teams to get the desired exposure and to be ready for next year’s Olympics. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Trinidad and Tobago, we extend our sincerest congratulations. The entire country is thrilled with your performance in the 100 metres at the World Championships. We know that you are 18 years old and that you are the silver medallist. The entire country is proud of you,” said Boynes. “We also know by speaking to you, that halfway during that race, you felt a twinge on your muscle. And it is a credit to your ability that you were able to complete the race and actually come second. We know that had you been at your best, you would have brought home gold from the World Championships. You have signalled to the world that you are the man to beat,” he said.

“And Darrel Brown, you have put Trinidad and Tobago firmly on the map, just as Hasely Crawford and Ato Boldon have done. We anticipate that all the assistance that corporate Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago can give to you and members of the men and women relay teams, that come next year, Trinidad and Tobago will be serious contenders for medals at the Olympic Games in Athens,” he added. Boynes has been greeting TT’s outstanding sports persons from the Pan-American Games (George Bovell III, two gold and two silver; and heavyweight boxer Kerston Manswell, silver medal), the TCL West Youth Cricket Challenge in Guyana (new double WICB title holders) and now the World Outdoor Athletics Championships. Romany also offered congratulations on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee. He was returning from Athens where he himself was swamped with congratulations by all visiting delegations and the Athens LOC members who were also thrilled with Brown’s magnificent performance in getting the coveted silver medal. The knowledgeable TTOC official noted Brown’s performance as “indescribable to say how it feels for a Trinidadian to cross the line with the likes of the guys who were in that race. “The people in Athens are going to look forward to your presence at the Olympics next year. It is going to be a great opportunity for you and Trinidad and Tobago to do well at the Games,” Romany said.