media_artricles :: 2017

Jehue encourages Commonwealth Youth team to stay focused

JEHUE GORDON, the 2013 World 400-metre hurdles champion, has encouraged the national team, who will participate at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas, to stay focused on the job at hand during the July 18-23 event.

Gordon was speaking at a sending-off function, at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, for the 50-member national contingent on Tuesday. 

"My advice to the young athletes is don't get caught up with the hype," said Gordon to the athletes present at the ceremony. "Bahamas is a lovely country but don't jump out yourself.....we're using local parlance here." He added, "It's one thing to enjoy yourself because it's a national team but, at the end of the day, it's business (you're there) for and to get the job." The 25-year-old have struggled to return to his lofty heights over the past couple seasons, but he informed the athletes, "at the end of the day, everyone is going out there to do their best, win lose or draw. 

"But you can't fear your competition," he continued. "They're all youths and all there with the same privilege. Go out there and give it your best shot." A member of the team who will be heading to the Bahamas is 2017 CARIFTA Games shot put gold medallist Ianna Roach. 

"I'm very excited," she said. "I feel like I can give off my best to represent TT." This will be her final taste of competitive action for the 2017 season. She noted, "I'm nervous (but) that will help me with my adrenaline rush to be able to go out there and perform." President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), Brian Lewis, is also expecting the TT contingent to give off their best during the six-day event. 

"We have invested in sending the largest Youth Commonwealth Games team in the history of the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association," said Lewis. "It's all part of a long-term athlete development perspective (and) my expectation is that they'll do their utmost best, and that they will give effort and that they will focus on what they have gone to the Bahamas to do - to represent the red, white and black to the best of their abilities." He continued, "I don't want to put the pressure of medals and how much medals we expect on this age group. What I expect is they'll do their best. I'm confident that once they do their best, the rewards will come."

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