media_artricles :: 2015

Relay gold gives T&T best Pan Am show

A gold medal run in the Men’s 4x400m final rallied T&T to its most successful showing ever at the Pan American Games at the CIBC Athletics Stadium in Toronto on Saturday night. The quartet of Jarrin Solomon, Renny Quow, Machel Cedenio and Lalonde Gordon recorded a season’s best of 2:59.60 to narrowly edge the Cuban contingent of Raidel Acea, Adrian Chacon, Williams Collazo and Jose Luis Gaspar (2:59.84) for the title. The USA, represented by Jeshua Anderson, Marcus Chambers, Kerron Clement, Kyle Clemons and James Harris, nabbed third in 3:00.21.

It marked T&T’s third gold at the games and eighth medal overall, bettering the performances of the 1967 (Winnipeg), 1971 (Cali) and 2003 (Santo Domingo) national teams, which each managed seven.

The foursome joined Cleopatra Borel (shot put) and Keshorn Walcott (javelin) as T&T’s other gold medallists.

The haul ranked T&T 15th of 29 countries in the standings while its six athletics medals (3-2-1) placed it fifth in the sport behind USA (13-14-14), Canada (11-7-8), Cuba (5-3-1) and Jamaica (3-3-2).

In other events, T&T’s men’s 4x100m team was awarded the bronze two hours after the final under controversial circumstances. Having originally placed fourth in 38.69, Rondel Sorrillo, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Dan-Neil Telesford were bumped up one spot when officials stripped the Canadian team of its gold, having adjudged that Gavin Smellie stepped on the line during the leaf leg.

The infraction was allegedly brought to the attention of the officials by former T&T sprinter Nic-Conner Alexander, who was watching from the stands. He tweeted shortly afterwards: The officials said they didn't see any evidence of the lane infringement until yours truly pointed it out. #TeamTTO.

A joint protest by USA, T&T and Brazil led to a two-hour deliberation between the officials, who ultimately disqualified the heartbroken Canadians. The decision also denied local hero Andre De Grasse a coveted triple crown following his golden runs in the 100m and 200m finals.

Canadian head coach Peter Eriksson was frustrated with the turn of events.

There is no margin of error when you step on the line, he said You step on the line you should be disqualified...however it happens many times that people can get away with it.

Meanwhile, T&T’s Women’s 4x400m team, comprising of Janeil Bellille, Ramona Modeste, Alena Brooks and Sparkle Mc Knight, placed seventh in its final in 3:33.31. That event was won by the USA in 3:25.68 followed by Jamaica (3:27.27) and Canada (3:27.74).

The games formally ended last night with a Closing Ceremony featuring performances by rappers Kanye West and Pitbull.

List of T&T medal winners

List of T&T Medal Winners at 2015 Pan Am Games:

Gold

Cleopatra Borel (Women’s Shot Put)

Keshorn Walcott (Men’s Javellin)

Jarrin Solomon, Renny Quow, Machel Cedenio and Lalonde Gordon (Men’s 4x400m Relay)

Silver

Njisane Phillip (Men’s Match Sprint)

Machel Cedenio (Men’s 400m)

Mikel Thomas (Men’s 110m Hurdles)

Bronze

George Bovell (Men’s 50m Freestyle)

Rondel Sorrillo, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Dan-Neil Telesford (Men’s 4x100m Relay)

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