media_artricles :: 2013

Relay teams fail to add medal

It was a day that promised so much but in the end Trinidad and Tobago’s brave efforts in the mens and women's 4x400 metres failed to deliver any more medals to add to the lone gold medal of Jehue Gordon in the 400 metres hurdles finals at the World Championships, yesterday.

First on the track on this the last day of the World Championships in Moscow was the 4x100 metres women's team of Kamira Durant, Michele Lee Ahye, Reyare Thomas and Kai Selvon in heat three.

But despite finishing fourth in a season best time of 43.01, they were into the finals after both the Bahamas and Germany were disqualified.

Unfortunately, while T&T was on the training ground trying to get themselves mentally ready, they were told that Germany had appealed the decision and won and so were reinstated into the finals, relegating T&T to 9th position overall and out of the finals.

Manager of the team, Dexter Voisin told the T&T Guardian it was disappointing but noted the women improved their season best time and given the absence of Kelly Ann Baptiste, gave a good account of themselves.

In in the men’s 4x100 metres, T&T ran in heat one and placed third overall in a time of 38.38 , with a team of Jamol James, Keston Bledman, Rondell Sorillo and Richard Thompson. It was the seventh fastest time heading into the finals.

However, injury was to have the last sa as James was forced to withdraw from the final with an injury and had to be replaced by junior athlete Ayodele Taffe on the opening leg.

T&T did not start well and never recovered to finish in eighth with a time of 38.57. However Great Britain and Ireland who were third originally to winners Jamaica and runners up, the USA, were disqualified and placed last and Canada promoted to 3rd position.

Keston Bledman told the Trinidad Guardian that this was not what the team wanted but “we gave it our best on the day and we have to be positive and look to the future. Unfortunately Jamol had to pull out and young Taffe was given the nod as a junior and he gave it his best shot. Thankfully we are all okay after the event and we must look to the future and continue to support the team.”

Taffe described the experience as a great opportunity and said he is hoping it helps him to get better. “My handover was not what I wanted and I know I will have to improve on that.”

Rondell Sorillo was also disappointed, saying it was a tough race. “We gave it our best shot and I am glad to be in the starting line up and to be part of this team. We had our goals to get a medal but on the day it did not happen, but we have to use this to make us all stronger.”

Richard Thompson told the Trinidad Guardian,” It is not a good result for us to come eighth. We have set high standards for ourselves in the past but on this occasion, we could not deliver. It is about us learning from this and getting stronger and better. We have to always be ready for anything, injury or the unexpected, but we came out and gave our best for the people of our country and unfortunately today it was not good enough,”

“We have to look at the positives and we must continue to get more and more youths involved so that we have a strong pool of athletes,” added Thompson

T&T finished tied for 12th place on the medal table with one gold medal, with Crotia, Colombia, New Zealand, Sweden and Uganda. Russia was first overall with seven gold medals but 17 medals in total, with the USA , second with six gold medals but 25 medals in total and Jamaica third overall with six gold medals and nine overall.

203 countries took part in these Championships.

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