media_artricles :: 2017

It’s another gold for T&T quartet

The members of the victorious T&T 4x400 metres relay team at the 2017 IAAF World Championship in London, England last month- Jereem Richards, Jarrin Solomon, Machel Cedenio, Rennie Quow and Lalonde Gordon are to be awarded with the Chaconia Gold medal at today's National Awards Ceremony at President's House, St Ann's.

They are among a list of athletes and sport administrators to be recognized for service to the for their contribution in the sphere of sport to the nation. Akeem Stewart, who secured gold in the Men's F44 shot putt and javelin events at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London in July, among many other achievements will be given the Hummingbird Gold medal,while veteran sport administrators and former teachers Enid Browne and Stephanie Judith will be given the Hummingbird Medal (Silver).

The gold-medal performance of the country's 4x400 metre men, now dubbed 'The Fantastic Four' had put all activities in T&T and the world on pause, as the quartet sent a strong message to all, that you can achieve once you put your mind to it. With eyes fixed particularly on the United States and Great Britain teams in the 4x400 metres final, the TT team produced a blistering 2:58.12 seconds that caused the world to acknowledge the talent that exists in the twin-island republic.

But with mere hours to go before the distribution of the awards, most of the athletes are still unaware that they are being honoured today. Last night Guardian Media Sports broke the news to Cedenio, the runner of the third leg of the historic race, who said he was pleasantly surprised. Cedenio who produced an excellent display at the Olympic Games in Brazil last year, said also that he was proud to be receiving the award, especially coming on the heels of him being given the keys to the Point Fortin Borough last month.

Cedenio who is in T&T at the moment also added that he went to buy a roti and they recognised him, and this brought a smile to his face, and believes his country appreciates sport more and more now. In contrast, NAAA's President Ephraim Serrette said yesterday "It's a disrespect" upon hearing the news of the awards. Serrette said "The NAAA's was not informed of the awards, there's a governing body and the athletes are representative of this body. I was told that many of the athletes were not told about the awards. Well if we were told, then maybe we would have been able to help the organizers get in contact with the athletes because most of them are not in T&T" he concluded.

Guardian Media Sports also spoke with Akeem Stewart who was aware of this latest accolade and said "it's another medal, a special award and I'm happy". When asked for his thoughts on questions that have arisen that he continues to not to be treated equally, the world record holder simply said. " I don't really have a response, I do not compare myself to anyone, I always perform highly, and do my best to represent my country".

Awardees

THE CHACONIA MEDAL (Gold):

n Jarrin Solomon

n Jereem Richards

n Machel Cedenio

n Renny Quow

n Lalonde Gordon

THE HUMMINGBIRD MEDAL (Gold):

n Akeem Stewart

THE HUMMINGBIRD MEDAL (Silver):

n Enid Browne

n Stephanie Judith

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