media_artricles :: 2016

Perfect races

... as Thompson, Lee Ahye sprint to glory

Richard Thompson and Michelle-Lee Ahye put together perfect races to emerge sprint champions to lead a list of seven sprinters to achieve Rio Olympics qualification standards in the 100 metres dash on the second day of action at the National Association for Athletic Administrations (NAAA) National Gas Company (NGC)/Sagicor Senior Championships.

On Saturday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the duo along with Rondell Sorrillo, Keston Bledman, Semoy Hackett, Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Khalifa St Fort, left many buzzing about the prospects of T&T bringing home the biggest medal haul in athletics in the history of this country's participation at the Olympic Games.

This quality list of sprinters tantalised all gathered at the stadium, just giving a hint of what to expect in Brazil during the track and field portion of the Games, which runs from August 12-21.

Thompson always seems to shine at this meet and he did not disappoint this time around.

"Last year, I couldn't run because I was injured. To win and the bonus of running a sub ten, makes it just perfect," said Thompson after the race. "It just goes to show you can overcome anything once you put your mind to it."

It was no easy task though as Sorillo made him have to work for the title. They were neck and neck heading to the line but it was Thompson getting across first in 9.97 seconds. Sorillo was close behind in 9.99 followed by Bledman in 10.10. Most importantly though the trio surpassed the qualifying mark of 10.16.

This will be Thompson's third appearance at the Olympics winning three silver medals previously, two in Beijing 2008 and the other at the 2012 London Games. So his aim now is to duplicate if not better those results.

"That would be wonderful obviously," said the 31-year-old. "That is my goal going into the Olympics. Doing what I can do for T&T and if that means winning a medal for T&T then it's something I would celebrate and the entire country. I'm up to the task, I'm up for the challenge."

Emmanuel Callender, a two-time Olympic medalist himself, just missed the mark by .03 seconds, finishing fourth in 10.19 but these four gentlemen will make up one of T&T's strongest 4x100m relay team to tackle the best in the world in Brazil.

The same can be said of the women's 400m relay squad as the quartet all surpassed the Olympic standard of 11.32.

Ahye threw her hands in the air as she crossed first in a time of 11.00, to lead the group of runners to the line. Hackett and Baptiste sped across together in 11.07 and St Fort was next in 11.16. It was a new personal best for St Fort improving on her 11.19 in winning silver at the IAAF World Youth Championships last year and is a new national record bettering the previous mark of 11.17 held by Baptiste.

Ahye said, "I'm really happy for the win right now. I wasn't performing as good leading up so it feels very good."

On the possibility of T&T copping its first ever medal among women's athlete she said, "Anything is possible. My confidence going into Rio is really high and expect anything."

She shared the moment with Baptiste, who also agreed that the probability of a women athlete getting on the podium is within reach.

"From the beginning I have always said that everything is coming together at the right time for our team. I am just excited that everybody is getting into shape," said Baptiste. "Our 4x100 chances are really great so I'm excited about that."

Top