media_artricles :: 2013

Outpouring of support online for local sprinter

There was an outpouring of local support on Facebook for Kelly-Ann Baptiste after she tested positive for a banned substance and withdrew from the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, yesterday

Many supporters of the athlete said they could not believe what had happened to Baptiste.

Her mother, Hazel Jacobs-Taylor, sent this message to her daughter on Facebook yesterday:

“With God all things are possible. Wait on the Lord. Be of good cou­rage and he shall strengthen you. Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining.”

Jacobs-Taylor could not be reached at her home in Tobago for further comments yesterday.

Other comments from suppor­ters included: “Stay strong,” and, “Hey Hon you are still a star no matter what, so keep your head up and keep the faith. All will be well.”

Fellow athlete Curtis Cox also sent a Facebook message to Baptiste:

“God is in control of your destiny, not man. Keep the faith, everything will be okay.”

Former national coach Bertille St Clair said he was shocked, hurt and saddened to hear Baptiste tested positive for a banned substance at the Moscow games.

St Clair, speaking to the Sunday Express from his home at Signal Hill, wished Baptiste all the best.

“I was very shocked at hearing the news. It’s unfortunate for the young lady. I do hope that things change for the better,” St Clair said, adding that athletes put their trust in coaches and were sometimes let down.

“Now it could be the athlete, but remember they are being trained by the coaches, physiotherapy, and so on.

“Then a doctor will come to you and say ‘this is good for your system, we need you to do better’ and you innocently take it. The coach could only give instructions and you have to listen.”

His advice to Baptiste and other athletes?

“No bad breeze blow! It’s unfortunate this has to happen, but you have to stay strong, work towards the good and if you have the time continue to work hard, and give it your best shot.

“I always say the man above does the rest.”

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