media_artricles :: 2013

Gordon’s success could not have come at a better time says Serrette

Jehue Gordon’s emphatic success in the mens 400 metres hurdles at the World Championships has emphasised the good work being done by the NAAA whose president, Ephraim Serrette believes that Gordon’s success could not come at a better time.

“The timing is perfect. Just last week, we had a meeting with the NACTA president, Victor Lopez, where he was enquiring whether or not we in T^&T would be willing to establish a High Performance Training Centre for the region in our country. Presently, there are two in existence, one in Jamaica and the other in Cuba. This success, added to what we have done in the past, can only be good for our sport,” Serrette told the T&T Guardian.

Serrette noted that there will the opportunity for athletes from around the region to come to T&T. “And therefore we can also learn from them and give our own athletes more exposure. We are not certain if it will be an additional one or one of the other two will be closed. At the moment, we are in discussion stage but this gold medal is timely,” added Serrette.

Serrette believes Gordon’s success is a signal to others that homegrown talent can succeed. “We have done this in this country since 2003 with Darryl Brown and Keshorn Walcott last year. Now with Jehue, it is just a continuation of the forward planning as our local coaches continue to demonstrate that they can attain the standards of international competition with their athletes.”

“And we have also explained to several of the athletes that their funding would last longer if they utilize the local coaches and just do the competition side of the work outside of T&T. Hopefully the success of the local coaches involved Dr Ian Hypolite and Edwin Skinner will inspire others to follow Jehue,” advised Serrette.

Serrette said it was a plus for track and field in the country. “ Jehue is one of the exemplars in terms of athletes and he can and should be an inspiration to many in the sport, and even youngsters wanting to join the sport for the first time,” said Serrette.

Serrette believes there was always a sense that Gordon could deliver on the big stage. ” I remember Jehue at the Diamond League. He has matured. He understand his sport more now and while the finish was too close for comfort, Jehue deserves this win given the way he trained. He and his team have made us all proud to be involved and assisted.” (AB)

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