Politicians Steal Spotlight in Olympians Motorcade.

In what should have been a day to celebrate our Olympic heroes, tuned out to be an event marred with political trickery and subtle public relation activities. On Monday the 20th of August, a planned Motorcade for returning Olympians was organised by Government to be held in Tobago. From the onset, politicians can be seen stealing the spot light of our teenage  Heroes. Politicians swarm the caravan in which the athletes were to be transported and some even rode in it as if it were their "time".  

Ashworth Jack Stealing the Spot Light of our
Olympic Heroes

Moreover, what followed en-route was grossly distasteful and disrespectful to our Heroes. Instead of Olympians meeting with people and signing autographs, it was over shadowed with gluttonous citizens competing without fail, swarming like bees to collect handouts distributed by the Government. Investigations would reveal that these gifts distributed were Mugs and Cups with the Prime Minister's face printed on them., disguised in a white box that bore the Coat of Arms. A total disrespect for the athletes and the country which is would celebrate its 50th year of Independence. Why wasn't these cups and mugs printed with our Heroes faces or printed with some symbol more  apt or mutual? The PP Government chose to use the achievement of our young vibrant heroes and make a mockery of it transforming it into a Public Relation Circus.

A Cup distributed by the PP Government in Celebration of our Olympic Heroes in Tobago

Ashworth Jack, Minority Leader THA
giving out Gifts during Celebrations for Olympians in Tobago

This is confirmation that they do not have these athletes' interest at heart. Rather it is their hidden agenda, to steal the spotlight and mascarade themselves all in an effort to gain cheap political points. This sort of 'tom-foolishness' should not repeat itself. If the day belongs to the successful athletes, let that be the sole agenda. Let the heroes bask in their moment, let them meet and greet people, let them sign autographs and engage in their photo op.  

Why make it political? why suck the blood of these athletes and ride their wave of success in a bid to wrongfully gain that which does not belong to you?

Celebrating our athlete's success does not mean the inclusion of political figures. it does not transform into political figures becoming band-wagonist and distributing anything political. Souvenirs should not be of political faces, nor bare political symbols or should not reflect any political agenda. Rather, they should be solely about the athletes, and their long journey to success. 

  

So given that we have the opportunity to come right on the 3rd of September, I hope that the Government would get it right this time. Hope that they would be genuine in their efforts of celebrating our heroes. Hope that our Heroes would be rewarded with the respect and treatment that they justly deserve. Till such time the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago would be firmly on you. 

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