Boldon arrives at Games but 100m disappointment for TT

QUADRUPLE OLYMPIC medallist Ato Boldon has joined the Trinidad and Tobago contingent at the 14th Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

According to chef-de-mission Brian Lewis, Boldon arrived in Santo Domingo yesterday without his luggage, one of the many hiccups which has plagued the Games. But Lewis said that Boldon, who will be staying at a nearby hotel instead of the Games Village, is eager to join fellow sprinters Darrel Brown, Marc Burns and Jacey Harper in the men’s 4x100m relay. In last night’s 100m finals, Niconnor Alexander and Fana Ashby both crossed the finish line in eighth spot while Sheridan Kirk faded after a promising start placing fifth in the men’s 800m. Melissa De Leon failed to qualify for the women’s half-mile final, despite a third-place finish in her semifinal race. She was not among the “fastest losers” to advance to last night’s decider. Up to press time last night, Cleavon Dillon was in the sand pit vying for the top-three position in the men’s long jump. The Stone brothers Shane and Troy got past their first round opponents Lavaro Navarro and Ricardo Chile of Cuba 6-4, 6-2 in the men’s doubles and will either face a pair from Barbados or Dominican Republic in the second round. But, in the women’s singles, Annaleise Rose who gave a valiant effort, was knocked out by Vilamarie Castellvi 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 in their second round tussle.

2002 WITCO Sportswoman of the Year Cleopatra Borel will vie for TT’s second medal in the shot put with Ashby, Keenan Gibson and Julian Raeburn facing the starter’s gun in the 200m heats this morning. Also on this morning’s schedule is the 400m heats, featuring US-based Damian Barry and Adia McKinnon. The men’s volleyball twosome of Nolan Tash and Sean Morrison will complete their round-robin group stage against the United States from 2 pm, while the women’s hockey team will go into action against Dominican Republic. Margaret Auerbatch, TT’s first equestrian competitor at the Pan Am level, will participate in the dressage at 9 am today, while in shooting, Auerbatch’s son Robert will compete in the skeet event with Takoor Sankar and Taran Deosaran firing their weapons in the men’s rifle.