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

Breaking News: Tomorrow 13th of August Declared a National Holiday

Kamla Persard Bissessar, Prime Minister
Of Trinidad and Tobago

Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in a National address, have declared Monday 13th of August 2012 a National Holiday. This was done in honor of all Olympic athletes, who would have tuned in their best at the Olympic games in London 2012. Tomorrow would see a massive welcome for all athletes, with a planned motorcade prepared for our Gold medalist Keshorn Walcott. 

In her address, she invited the entire t&t to come out at the airport to a planned reception for Keshorn and all athletes. Walcott stunned the world and the entire Trinidad and Tobago with a record breaking and history making throw of 18.54 m in the Men's Javelin Finals, writing his name into t&t's history book as the second person to win a Gold medal at the Olympics. 

Prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar told the nation that following the reception, the young man would be driven in a motorcade from the airport through the eastern Main Road, passing through Arima, Valencia and Sangre Grande and then on to his hometown of Toco where there would be a warm reception at the Toco Composite school. Persad-Bissessar indicated that the event has been organised by the village in collaboration of the government of Trinidad & Tobago.

Persad-Bissessar also indicated that she would say on Monday what special honor would be given to Walcott for his outstanding and inspiring performance in London. She thanked him along with the other members of the Olympic team for showing courage and determination. saying that the athletes have renewed the country's sense of patriotism in this year of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Independence.

Olympic Monitor: Thompson 7th , Usian Bolt Runs New Olympic Record

In one of the most electrifying race of all time, the 100 meter Finals at the London Olympics did not fail to feature the 'Top Guns'. Lineing up were Usian Bolt, Tyson Gay, Asapa Powell, Justing Gatling, Yohan Blake, Ryan Bailey, Churandy Martina and our very own Richard Thompson. However, Bolt outraced his opponents, winning in an Olympic-record 9.63 seconds crushing his own 9.68 set back in 2008 Beijing Games. Yohan Blake’s cupped silver in  9.75, while the United States sprinter Justin Gatlin grabbed bronze in  9.79.

Trinidad and Tobago's silver medalist 2008 Richard Thompson could only place 7th with a 9.98 in front of an "injured" Asafa Powell of Jamaica clocking 11.99.

There could be no stopping the King of track, Bolt emphatically confirmed his status, ans set his name above all as the greatest sprinter in history as he retained his Olympic 100m title in peerless fashion.

Making history again he now holds the three fastest times in the 100 meters. Bolt in an interview stated "I was happy when I went out in the first round, I felt I could do this. I was slightly worried about my start. I didn't want to false start again so I sat in the blocks a little bit.
"It wasn't the best reaction in the world but I executed it and that was the key. My coach said 'stop worrying about the start because the best part of your race is the end'. It worked.
"I said it on the track, people can talk, but when it comes to championships it is all about business for me and I brought it. It was wonderful. I knew [the crowd] would be like this, I can feel that energy and I am extremely happy."

Its seems that there is no stopping this superman. For Trinidad and Tobago its back to the drawing board. We salute our athletes for their enormous efforts and we join in the celebration of our Caribbean brothers.

All Hail the King of Track, Usian Lightening Bolt.