London Left Out of Motorcade for Olympians In Tobago

Chief Secretary of
Tobago House of Assembly
Orville London

AS at 4 p.m. yesterday, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Orville London, had not yet received an invitation to join in today's motorcade organised by several Government ministries to celebrate the achievements of local athletes who competed in the 2012 London Olympics.

However, London does not see this as an issue.

In a telephone interview yesterday, London told the Express what he did receive was correspondence from Minister of National Security Jack Warner about a courtesy call to the Chief Secretary before the start of the motorcade which is scheduled to begin at the ANR Robinson International Airport at 10 a.m.

London said he was in discussions with Minister of Tobago Development Dr Delmon Baker and the courtesy call by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, was being finalised.

"I am willing to participate in the courtesy call," London said.

"I don't think we should do anything to sour the celebrations. However, the Tobago House of Assembly will be represented on the motorcade. We are going to ensure that. Maybe at the courtesy call that invitation will be extended (to me personally).

The athletes listed to be part of the motorcade are gold medallist Keshorn Walcott who topped the field in the javelin event, cyclist Njisane Phillip, quarter-miler Lalonde Gordon, men's 50 metres finalist Roger Daniel, quarter-miler Machel Cedenio, sprint hurdler Mikel Thomas and sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye.

London said the THA has also planned a function to honour the athletes scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. today at Coco Cafe, Crown Point, Tobago.

"Our intention is to do everything possible to ensure that there are no hitches and that we can synchronise the activities so that the motorcade can happen and at least Lalonde (Gordon) would be available at the function," he said.

Gordon, who was born in Tobago 23 years ago, secured two bronze medals having participated in the men's 400 metres race and the men's 4x400 metres relay. He left Tobago at the age of two, and resides in Queens, New York, United States where he is pursuing an athletic scholarship. Gordon arrived in Trinidad and Tobago last Saturday.

London said the THA wants to pay special honour to every Tobago-born athlete who was selected to be part of the 2012 Olympic team, not just those who participated. He said these included Gordon, Rennie Quow, Josanne Lucas, Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett.

"A lot of them are not going to be here but their parents are being invited to participate and to accept, on behalf of the athletes, whatever is being offered to them."

Reproduced verbatim from 

Trinidad Express