media_artricles :: 2016

RESPECT THE MASTERS

Mark-Baird guides T&T to 34th on medal table

Led by triple gold medallist Marsha Mark-Baird, Trinidad and Tobago finished 34th on the medal table at the 2016 World Masters Track and Field Championships, in Perth, Australia.

The T&T haul included Mark-Baird's gold medals in the women's 40-44 long jump, javelin and heptathlon. There were also four silvers—Mark Baird in the 80 metres hurdles, Geraldine George in the women's 40-44 shot put and javelin, and Dwayne Caines in the men's 35-39 100m. And T&T's solitary bronze medal was earned by George, in the discus.

"Everyone who came did their best," Mark-Baird declared, in an Express interview. "They all worked hard at their events to advance or get on the podium."

Australia topped the table with 167 gold medals, 162 silver and 140 bronze. Second spot went to United States (70 gold, 47 silver, 51 bronze), with Great Britain (44 gold, 50 silver, 44 bronze) finishing third.

Mark-Baird also captured three gold medals at the 2015 World Masters in Lyon, France. She triumphed in the long jump and heptathlon, and teamed up with Donelle Stafford, Sasha Springer and Ayanna Hutchinson for victory in the 35 and over 4x100m relay in a world masters record time of 47.65 seconds.

"Lyon was wonderful," said Mark-Baird. "Three golds plus a world record with really fast girls. Ayanna, Donelle and Sasha were really fast and made me look good. I was their weakest link."

Both Mark-Baird and Stafford were at the Perth meet, but neither Springer nor Hutchinson made the trip Down Under, and T&T did not field a relay team.

"No one from that previous team," Mark-Baird lamented, "was funded to come to Perth."

The two-time Olympian said there is little respect for older athletes in T&T.

"I have come to notice Masters athletes are treated like nobodies. I would like to challenge anyone 35 and older to compete in the World Masters Championships. They will see it's not vacation. And they better train, or they'll get embarrassed.

"Also, the extremely poor communication of the athletic associations is ridiculous. Twenty-two athletes registered and qualified for Perth. However, only three were funded. I don't know how the other five funded their trip. That left 13 athletes who registered and qualified who were not able to attend."

In two World Masters outings, Mark-Baird has six gold medals and a silver, an incredible haul for a devoted wife and mother of three young boys.

"I put my family first, and everything else works itself out. I do the gym before my kids go to school; go to work; then train again; pick up kids from school; do the mom thing; and it starts over again. Monday to Saturday. Sundays are my only days off. I also get two weeks off in between 14-week training cycles. So it's simple. I have a formula that works for me and everyone else around me."

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