T&T bid for more honours

Trinidad and Tobago will bid for more precious metal at the May 2-3 IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.

At the inaugural edition, in Nassau last year, T&T performed with distinction, capturing three medals—one silver and two bronze—and finishing sixth on the points table.

Twenty-three athletes have been selected to represent the country at the second IAAF World Relays, including the four sprinters who teamed up for silver in the men’s 4x100 metres event in 2014—Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Rondel Sorrillo and Richard “Torpedo” Thompson. Also on the men’s sprint relay squad are Marcus Duncan, Emmanuel Callender and Kyle Greaux. The same seven athletes have been named for the men’s 4x200m event.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste returns to the T&T team following the completion of a 21-month doping ban. The Florida-based athlete is among six sprinters selected for the women’s 4x100m relay.

In 2014, Kamaria Durant, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Reyare Thomas and Kai Selvon combined for bronze—the first-ever global medal from a T&T women’s relay team. All four sprinters have been chosen for World Relays duty in 2015, together with Baptiste and Lisa Wickham.

The men’s 4x400m team also bagged bronze in 2014, Lalonde Gordon, Renny Quow, Machel Cedenio and Jarrin Solomon producing a national record run of two minutes, 58.34 seconds. The same four quartermilers have been chosen for next weekend’s global relay championship. Carifta 2015 boys’ under-18 400m silver medallist, Jacob St Clair has been selected as back-up.

And five athletes have been named for the women’s 4x400m relay—Janeil Bellille, Romona Modeste, Alena Brooks, Josanne Lucas and Magnolia Howell.

Team T&T manager, Dexter Voisin told the Express, yesterday, he expects “great things” from his athletes at the IAAF World Relays.

“I want to view World Relays as the first leg in terms of preparation for the World Championships and Olympics. Basically, I would want to say we’re in a better position this time around in terms of the performances of the athletes.

“Kelly-Ann’s return strengthens the women’s team. Richard, Marc, all the athletes have had promising starts to the season, so once they get the stick around properly, I expect to be in the top three.

“I always ask the athletes to do their best. It’s a long season, though, and I don’t want to put too much pressure on them. But I expect great things from all the teams.”

The T&T athletes are scheduled to travel to Nassau next Wednesday.

TEAM T&T

Men’s 4x100m & 4x200m: Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Rondel Sorrillo, Marc Burns, Marcus Duncan, Emmanuel Callender, Kyle Greaux

Men’s 4x400m: Machel Cedenio, Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon, Renny Quow, Jacob St Clair

Women’s 4x100m: Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Kai Selvon, Reyare Thomas, Kamaria Durant, Lisa Wickham

Women’s 4x400m: Janeil Bellille, Romona Modeste, Alena Brooks, Josanne Lucas, Magnolia Howell

Officials: Dexter Voisin (manager), Dr Ian Hypolite (coach), Charles Joseph (coach)

Medical: Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, Zephyrinus Nicholas, Verne Alleyne