Trinidad & Tobago’s rich legacy in track and field added another milestone in 2016 when sprinter Rondel Sorrillo cemented his place in Olympic history. At the Trinidad and Tobago Championships in Hasely Crawford Stadium, Sorrillo sprinted to a personal best of 9.99 seconds in the 100m final, securing his spot in the Rio Olympics.

The former NCAA 200m champion and Kentucky Wildcats alum had never officially dipped below the 10-second mark in wind-legal conditions before, making this a career-defining performance. With Trinidad & Tobago allocated three Olympic quota spots in the 100m, his time more than met the qualification criteria. This set him up to represent his country on the biggest stage in global athletics.

Multiple Olympic Qualifications

Sorrillo didn’t stop at the 100m. The following day, he secured his fifth national 200m title with an impressive time of 20.24 seconds, confirming his place in a second Olympic event. This achievement underscored his versatility and endurance, proving once again why he remains one of Trinidad’s top sprinters.

Joining Sorrillo in Rio was Mikel Thomas, another UK alumnus, who dominated the 110m hurdles final with a time of 13.67 seconds. This marked Thomas’ third Olympic appearance for Trinidad & Tobago, a testament to his consistency and determination in the sport.

Sorrillo and Thomas followed in the footsteps of Trinidad & Tobago’s sprinting greats, adding to the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse in track and field. Their qualification adds to a long history of Trinidadian sports excellence, which includes:

Ato Boldon – Four-time Olympic medalist.

Richard Thompson – 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the 100m.

Keshorn Walcott – 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the javelin.

Jehue Gordon – 2013 World Champion in the 400m hurdles.

Meanwhile, Luis Orta qualified to represent Venezuela in the marathon, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn secured her spot on Puerto Rico’s Olympic team in the 100m hurdles.

As the United States Olympic Trials approached, more Trinidadian athletes aimed to earn their tickets to Rio