George beaten on Olympic debut

George, a former national water polo player, became the first person to represent this country in judo. Unfortunately, George lost his opening encounter in his round of 32 match against Yan Naing Soe of Myanmar and will not take any further part at the Olympics.

National swimmer George Bovell finished the men’s 50-metre freestyle heats in 27th position overall, missing a top 16 spot which would have ensured him a spot in the semi-finals. Bovell finished third in heat eight in 22.30 seconds, behind Yu Hexin of China (22.30) and Filip Wypych of Poland (22.23). Less than a second separated Bovell and top qualifier Andriy Hovorov, who won heat 11 in 21.49.

It will be an action packed day for the TT athletes today, as track and field will begin with numerous events. In the women’s shot put, Cleopatra Borel will compete from 9.05 am TT time in Group A for a chance to advance to the final of the event at nine o’clock tonight.

Also competing in Group A will be Borel’s close friend Valerie Adams of New Zealand, who is the twotime defending Olympic champion.

TT will have three athletes in round one of the men’s 400m event from 8.05 pm. National champion Machel Cedenio will line up in heat one, followed by Lalonde Gordon in heat four and Deon Lendore in heat five.

The national quartet of Kelly- Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett, Khalifa St Fort and Michelle-Lee Ahye will compete in round one of the women’s 100m event between 9.40 pm and 10.29 pm. It is uncertain what round one heats the TT athletes will compete in as three preliminary heats will take place from 10.55 am today. The TT quartet has been given a preliminary bye. Tomorrow, the semi-finals will take place between 8 pm and 8.14 pm, before the final runs off at 9.37 pm.

In rowing, Aisha Chow will compete in semi-final C/D two of the women’s single sculls event at 12.10 pm for overall rankings.

Njisane Phillip will represent TT in cycling when he competes in the men’s sprint qualification event from 3.14 pm, while national sailor Andrew Lewis will continue his participation in the men’s laser.

Lewis will compete in race seven from 12.15 pm, followed by race eight from 1.40 pm. Lewis currently lies in 42nd position out of 46 athletes.