TTOC defends Dr Hypolite’s dual role at Rio Games

Hypolite, who is also an executive member of the TTOC, received widespread public condemnation for the extensive hours he spent on set at the ESPN commentary booth.

In a media release issued yesterday, the TTOC acknowledged that they have “noted the sentiments and statements surrounding the role of the chef de mission at the recently concluded Rio Games (as well as) specific questions concerning (his) role as chef de mission and his role as an analyst.” According to the media release, “the TTOC confirms that at no time during the four weeks of Team TTO’s participation in the Rio Games (including the pre-Games camp) did the chef de mission either abdicate his role or delegate any of his duties. The TTOC therefore affirms that Dr Hypolite discharged all of the responsibilities assigned to him as chef de mission.” Debate on the roles undertaken by Dr Hypolite intensified on August 19 when the national men’s 4x100 and 4x400-metre relay teams were both disqualified from their final and semi-final races respectively.

“The TTOC also wishes to clarify that in the matters related to the disqualification of the TTO men’s relay teams, the duty to lodge a protest with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) officials, rested with a specific team official, who discharged this duty according to protocol and that such a duty did not rest primarily with the chef de mission,” the media release continued. “We are also satisfied that Dr Hypolite maintained ongoing communication with team officials during and after the disqualification, ensuring that all aspects of the procedures related to lodging a protest against a disqualification were in fact followed.” The TTOC noted that they intend to be more transparent in their dealings, in light of the criticisms they have received following the national contingent’s struggles at Rio.

“The TTOC is prepared to bring more information to the public’s attention, as it relates to team officials, as part of the TTOC’s ongoing marketing and brand transformation agenda,” noted the media release. “The TTOC thanks the national community for their ongoing support and constructive involvement in the progress of achieving ten or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024.”