Callender speaks for the ‘voiceless’

Callender, along with Richard Thompson, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman are expected to receive gold medals after placing second at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Last week Jamaican Nesta Carter was found guilty of using a banned substance in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2008 Olympics.

Carter, along with the victorious Jamaican team, were stripped of their medals.

As a result, TT are expected to be upgraded to gold.

Since hearing the news, members of the TT relay team said it was a “bittersweet” feeling to learn that they may receive a gold medal almost a decade later.

Over the past week, Thompson vented his frustrations with funding issues national athletes face, and said the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith is not addressing the concerns of the nation’s athletes.

Callender, giving his two cents, said the devotion of athletes, coaches and parents must be rewarded.

“We enjoy different degrees of economic and social status. But we are at the end of the day one team, one family and we truly believe in our national words: together we aspire, together we achieve.

“I will however use this opportunity to speak on behalf of the voiceless. The development coaches, parents and young athletes all sacrifice their time for track and field and get nothing in return. They should be adequately compensated at some point.

“At least water or nutritious juices could once again be provided to the kids after training. Transportation from school to practice and from practice to home is a major issue.

Athletes who get to National Champs semis and final should at least get passage to go back home, if anything, for supporting the meets.” Callender spoke about the likelihood of earning his first Olympic gold medal and the funding concerns of TT ’s athletes.

“It was a privilege to run against the likes of Usain Bolt and Nesta Carter and now there is a chance of receiving Olympic gold from the same race.

This is however in no comparison to receiving an accolade in a year that I am achieving personal bests.

“Achieving top 10 ranking in seven billion people in the world gives you access to $250,000 TT (in elite funding from the Ministry of Sport).

Outside of medalling allows only access to $60,000 TT annually from the Ministry alone.

“This is $5,000 per month that I must provide bills for. My chances of accessing $250,000 in one year is slim but $240,000 accumulatively in four years is a bit more realistic.

“Elite funding does not exist for teams that perform in the Olympics, such as the teams I was fortunate to be a part of over the years.

T&T senior relays are usually ranked top 10 in the world. I am nonetheless grateful for the funding.” “At this time, if anything is offered by the people of Trinidad and Tobago I will accept it with grace. If nothing is offered by the persons in authority, I will accept it with the same grace.”