Charles surprised at Olympic award

Charles was presented with the Alexander B Chapman Award "for an outstanding contribution to sport and Olympism, particularly in the promotion of Olympic ideals."

And Alleyne-Forte copped the Sport and Education Award "for excellence in academic and sporting pursuits at the Secondary Education level."

Charles holds a record of 11 victories aboard speed boat Mr Solo (now Mr Solo Too) in the 37-year history of the annual Trinidad to Tobago Great Race to Tobago.

"It was certainly a surprise and I accept this on behalf of my team and all of my supporters over the years. I’m very happy to receive it," the successful businessman said.

"I feel totally elated and I’m happy to receive it on behalf of the powerboat association and the powerboat fraternity," he said.

Charles said he was has become increasingly less involved in the sport.

"A this stage I’m winding down a bit now. I’ve handed over (the reins) to my son Haydn. I’ll do circuit racing in the Gulf of Paria rather than the big races," he said.

Charles has been involved in power-boat racing since 1962. "I started out with an outboard and in those days they did 42-miles an hour and that was extremely fast compared to now when they do 100-plus," he said. "It’s a vast change from then to now."

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Joseph Charles Bottling Works noted that his company is involved in various sports.

"We sponsor badminton, table-tennis, powerboat racing and assist a few sports also," Charles added.

The 16-year-old Alleyne-Forte, from St John’s Village in San Fernando is a sprinter who specialises in both 200 and 400-metres.

Describing himself as a humble person, Alleyne-Forte said it was a great honour to get the award.

The Chiropractic Brooklyn Club representative said his 2005 season was successful. "I actually made it to my first World Games, at the junior level, so it was a successful year," he said. "But, like everything else, it had its ups and downs."

For 2006 he is looking forward to several big meetings.

"I set my sights on the World Junior Games, CARIFTA Games and the CAC Games. Just practically making it to all the major junior meets," Alleyne-Forte said.