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Author Topic: IOC Rio 2016 Olympics: Fri.5th~Sun.21st Aug 2016 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)  (Read 76860 times)

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Offline Socapro

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Rio 2016 organizers unveil Olympic torch
Published on Jul 3, 2015, 1:00 pm AST (T&T Express)


Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff looks at the Olympic Torch as it's presented during a
ceremony ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, July 3, 2015.
Brazil will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/Joedson Alves)


BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Rio de Janeiro organizers unveiled the Olympic torch for the 2016 Games on Friday, saying it brings together "movement, innovation and Brazilian flavor."

Organizers said the torch's design was inspired by Brazil's "nature, and the harmonious diversity and energy" of the Brazilian people.

The torch, crafted from recycled aluminum and resin with a satin finish, innovates with different segments that open up when the Olympic flame is passed from one torchbearer to another.


The 2016 Rio Olympic Games torch stands on display during it's presentation ceremony
in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, July 3, 2015. Brazil will host the 2016 Summer Olympics.
(AP Photo/Joedson Alves)


After expanding vertically, the segments will reveal "the elements that add the Brazilian flavor," with soil, sea, mountains, sky, and sun represented in the colors of the Brazilian flag — green, yellow, blue, and white.

The unveiling was made in a ceremony attended by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in the capital of Brasilia.

Organizers said the Olympic spirit is present in the torch's texture with triangles running the length of its body alluding to the three Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and in the floating effect of its different segments, referring to the efforts of the athletes.

"The design of the Rio 2016 torch was inspired by the Olympic spirit, our country's nature, and the harmonious diversity and energy of our people," said Beth Lula, the brand director for the local organizing committee. "We used the specific stroke of the Rio 2016 brand to design the torch's contours."

About 12,000 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame across some 300 cities and towns in the 26 Brazilian states and the federal district. The relay is expected to kick off in May in Brasilia and will continue for about 100 days. The torch will travel nearly 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) of Brazilian roads and fly some 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) over the north and mid-west parts of the country.

"We want to show the world the chemistry that we believe will be born when the Olympic flame meets the warmth of the Brazilian people," local organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman said.

The design was created by Sao Paulo-based design studio Chelles & Hayashi, which won a tender over more than 70 agencies.

Each torch weighs between 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) and 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) and measures 63.5 centimeters (25 inches) when contracted and 69 centimeters (27 inches) when expanded. Organizers said lightweight materials were used to improve the experience of the torchbearers, as well as a design that induces a grip closer to the torch's center of gravity.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2016, 08:19:31 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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CWC to beam Olympics to 15 million in region
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2015, 03:33:54 PM »
CWC to beam Olympics to 15 million in region
Tuesday, 21 April 2015 03:46 (TTOC.org)


Brian Collins, left, managing director of Flow and Columbus Communications for the Southern Caribbean; Steve Stoute, chairman CBI, Sports Minister Brent Sancho, John Reid, president, CWC consumer group, and Brian Lewis, T&T Olympic Committee president pose for a photo at yesterday’s media conference to announce CWC Communications as the official broadcast sponsor and media partner with CANOC Broadcasting Inc for next year’s Rio Olympics. PHOTO: SEAN NERO

More than 15 million people across the Caribbean will benefit from a strategic broadcast rights deal agreed and signed between Cable and Wireless Communications and CANOC Broadcasting Inc to televise performances of regional athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics from the opening to closing ceremonies.
 
The announcement was made by CANOC CEO Larry Romany at a media conference at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
 
It means that viewers in this part of the world will no longer be saddled with the North American perspective of the games since this is where Caribbean broadcasters usually access their feeds.
 
CANOC, a subsidiary of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, has secured the exclusive Olympic content rights across all platforms to 20 English-speaking countries, as well as non-exclusive rights in ten non-English speaking countries throughout the region.
 
In an effort to ensure that material packaged met international standards, CANOC enlisted the services of global sports broadcaster ESPN to achieve this. ESPN will also recruit the best sporting minds in the Caribbean to deliver commentary before and after athletes compete.
 
Romany said the production deal with ESPN will cost US$5 million but he declined comment on the value of CWC’s investment as the exclusive telecoms partner.
 
Like Romany, John Reid, president of CWC Consumer Group, did not disclose the value of the deal but was clear it was arguably the biggest of its kind in the region.
 
“This is a coming out event for us. This is a way to prove to the people that we are going to put our money where our mouth is. I think this is absolutely critical for us,” Reid said.
 
Under the agreement, CWC customers will view the games across 12 of its channels, including its video on the demand service.
 
Romany said bars and restaurants would also not be blocked from carrying the broadcasts.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Re: Thread for Rio 2016 Olympics: 5th ~ 21st August 2016
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2015, 03:35:28 PM »
Link to official website: http://www.rio2016.com/en
« Last Edit: July 03, 2015, 03:39:43 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline gawd on pitch

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Re: Thread for Rio 2016 Olympics: 5th~21st August 2016
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2015, 08:40:46 PM »
Link to official website: http://www.rio2016.com/en

Easy dey Soca.. We still a good year from this. Thanks for keeping us up to date  :beermug:

Offline Socapro

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Rio 2016 Summer Olympics


Date (Open): Friday 5 August 2016 (Athletics starts from Friday 12 August 2016)
Date (Close): Sunday 21 August 2016 

Time: 09:30 to 23:00 (Day 1);
          09:30 to 23:30 (Day 2);
          09:30 to 22:30 (Day 3);
          09:30 to 23:00 (Day 4);
          09:30 to 23:00 (Day 5);
          09:30 to 23:15 (Day 6);
          09:30 to 22:45 (Day 7);
          08:00 to 23:00 (Day 8);
          20:10 to 23:00 (Day 9);
          09:30 to Closing Ceremony (Day 10);
 
Venue: João Havelange Olympic Stadium, Rio de Janeiro




The Estádio Olímpico João Havelange (English: João Havelange Olympic Stadium) is a multi-use stadium located in the neighbourhood of Engenho de Dentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is used mostly for football matches and athletics and is the home field of the football club Botafogo. The stadium will be an athletics venue for the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Paralympics.
The stadium's capacity is intended to be increased to 60,000 for the Games.

Organiser: IOC

News/Videos/Schedules/Startlists/Results:
http://www.rio2016.com/en
http://www.rio2016.com/en/the-games/olympic/sports/athletics
http://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-summer-olympics
http://www.iaaf.org/news/press-release/athletics-timetable-rio-2016-olympics
https://www.facebook.com/rio2016

Live Streams for Rio 2016 Olympics: Will post here once confirmed
____________________________________________________________________________________

Rio 2016 Summer Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympics (Portuguese: Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de 2016), officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are the thirty-first Summer Olympic Games, the world's largest international multi-sport event that is held every four years. The 2016 Summer Olympics are commonly known as Rio 2016, as this competition will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
 
The host city of Rio de Janeiro was announced at the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. The other finalists were Madrid, Spain; Chicago, United States; and Tokyo, Japan. Rio will become the first South American city to ever host the Summer Olympics, the second city in Latin America to host the event after Mexico City in 1968, and the first since 2000 to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
The games will take place from 5 August to 21 August 2016 and more than 10,500 athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will take part in this sporting event.  The games will feature 28 sports — including rugby sevens and golf, which were added by the International Olympic Committee in 2009.
 
These sporting events will take place across 33 venues spread across 4 regions of the city namely - Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro, and Maracanã.
____________________________________________________________________________________

1 Year to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KQ7TCUSZYIU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KQ7TCUSZYIU</a>

1 year to go to realise the dream of staging the biggest sporting event in the world: the Olympic Games!
« Last Edit: August 05, 2015, 08:06:08 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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A year away, Olympic organizers counting on sun and samba
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2015, 03:47:30 PM »
A year away, Olympic organizers counting on sun and samba
Published on Jul 28, 2015, 2:00 pm AST (T&T Express)


The Olympic Park which will host Rio's 2016 Olympics is seen under construction in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 27, 2015. The Olympics will offer 28 sports, 300 events, 10,500
athletes and, with the exception of five football venues, it's all packed into Rio for 17 days.
The Paralympics add two more weeks, and thousands more athletes. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)



Construction continues at the Tennis Center at the Olympic Park for the 2016 Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 27, 2015. A last-minute rush seems inevitable, and late
work is sure to drive up costs. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)



Crews work on the construction of the Carioca Arenas at the Olympic Park for the 2016
Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 27, 2015. Part of the Olympic Park will serve
afterward as Brazil's Olympic training center, mostly for elite athletes. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)


RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro conjures clear images of sun, samba and soccer. Organizers of the Olympics that start a year from now hope that's what people remember after the games — not images of polluted water, inefficient transportation and incomplete venues.

The Rio Olympics that start Aug. 5, 2016, follow last year's World Cup, which ended with mixed results.

A year of protests over lavish spending on soccer stadiums dissolved once the World Cup started. Fans from around the world embraced Brazil, and the stadiums looked ready enough on television even if many were still incomplete. Several have become underused white elephants" that cost local governments millions to maintain.

Now come the Summer Games, which are more complex and put Brazil under scrutiny again.

Instead of a one-month tournament with 730 players, the 16-day Olympics feature 28 sports, 300 events and 10,500 athletes; almost all in a metropolitan area of about 12 million people.

Construction got off to a slow start. And so did ticket sales.

"If you compare our numbers with the classic London numbers, you're going to see that we got off a little late," said Mario Andrada, spokesman for the Rio Olympics. He called Brazilians "last-minute people."

"But there's no doubt in our minds that we are going to sell out the tickets."

It will take years to know if the Olympics improved life for  Cariocas, as Rio residents are known. And if so, who profited the most from spending $12 billion in public and private money.

The head of the local organizing committee Carlos Nuzman says Rio will be the Olympic city with the "greatest transformation," surpassing Tokyo in 1964 and Barcelona in 1992.

An Olympics can change a city's reputation for good or bad.

Beijing showcased a rising power, but outsiders also glimpsed the control of an authoritarian state. Athens took a beating for preparations __ similar to Rio — and some of Greece's financial problems are linked Olympic spending.

At quick look at preparations with South America's first games opening Aug. 5, 2016.

___

WATER POLLUTION

The sailing and wind-surfing venue in Guanabara Bay, and the rowing and canoeing venue at the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, feature beautiful backdrops spoiled by sewage-filled water and floating debris. Rio officials promised cleaning the bay would be an Olympic legacy. But Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes has said that won't happen. A dramatic photo in the Rio newspaper O Globo recently showed trash wrapped around the tail of a dolphin in the bay.

Rio hopes to get by with stopgaps; a fleet of rubbish collection boats and barricades built where garbage gushes in from hilltop slums.

Some sailors competing in test events in Rio have called Guanabara Bay "an open sewer," and many have tried to minimize contact with the water to avoid illnesses.

"I don't think I would go swimming in that lagoon," said Matt Smith, head of the World Rowing Federation.

___

LEGACY PROJECTS

The new Olympic golf course and the athletes' village will become luxury real estate develpments after the Olympics. The units at the golf course start at about $2 million. The projects involve public and private money, with much of the income going to the private developers.

Two largely government-funded developments are a subway extension from central Rio into Barra da Tijuca — the heart of the games — and rapid transit bus lines that reach many corners of the city. The subway line extension faces a tight deadline.

"The subway line is going to be delivered just before the games, so of course we're worried about that," said Sidney Levy, CEO of the organizing committee.

Part of the Olympic Park will serve afterward as Brazil's Olympic training center. A section of the Olympic Park will become residential space. Some of that space has yet to be vacated with residents in a slum called Vila Autodromo holding out for better compensation.

___

CRIME

Street crime in Rio has spiked as drug traffickers in the city's slums — known as favelas — fight back against police and soldiers trying to "pacify" the neighborhoods. Muggings are increasing in the upscale south and west of the city, which will host most of the Olympics. A cyclist was recently stabbed to death at the Olympic rowing venue.

City officials are confident the problems won't leak over to the Olympics.

"The World Cup was organized without any major incidents, and we expect that this will be the same for the games," said Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director.

___

INSPIRATION

President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has plunged as the country slides in recession, said recently she will be more involved in Olympic preparations. She's hoping the Olympics will improve the country's mood, and boost her poll numbers.

Levy says the games should inspire Brazilians, and they could use some.

State-run oil company Petrobras lost $2.1 billion in a kickback scheme that saw firm executives take bribes for awarding inflated contracts. In June, police arrested the CEOs of two of Brazil's largest construction companies, including the head of Odebrecht, which helped build many World Cup and Olympic venues.

Levy, the CEO, has repeated often that Rio is running clean games devoid of corruption.

___

CONSTRUCTION

A last-minute rush seems inevitable, and late work is sure to drive up costs.

Levy seems relaxed, particularly with the two biggest stadiums — both soccer facilities — already constructed.

"We're not building anything big," he said. "We're not building a cathedral."

A study by Said Business School at Oxford University of Olympic Games since 1960 showed each one had cost overruns.

"No other type of megaproject is this consistent regarding cost overrun," authors Bent Flyvberg and Allison Stewart wrote.  "Other project types are typically on budget from time to time, but not the Olympics."
« Last Edit: July 28, 2015, 03:52:11 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Triathletes shrug off water warnings, swim in Rio
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2015, 01:15:57 PM »
Triathletes shrug off water warnings, swim in Rio
Published on Jul 31, 2015, 4:15 pm AST (T&T Express)



RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Triathletes swam in waters off Copacabana Beach Friday ahead of weekend Olympic test events, despite published warnings that water in the area was "unfit" for swimming.

The website of the Rio de Janeiro environmental agency said the water, which has been declared unfit ten previous times this year, was unsafe based on the results of a Monday water test.

Officials publicly insisted athletes were safe and stuck to the competition schedule. Later in the day, Rodrigo Garcia, the sports director for the local Olympic organizing committee, said that new, unpublished water test results show that the area is suitable for the competition, but provided no details on the results. The Rio environmental agency didn't respond to requests for comment.

The situation prompted new concern about Rio's polluted waters. On Thursday, The Associated Press released the results of a five-month investigation that showed that Olympic venues are rife with disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

The AP study showed that the spot where athletes were entering the water on Copacabana Beach had a minimal reading of over 2 million human adenovirus per liter — that's 2,000 times the reading that water experts in the U.S. say would be considered highly alarming if seen on beaches in the U.S. or Europe. At the high end, Copacabana registered 49 million adenoviruses per liter in the AP study.

Human adenovirus multiply in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of people. These are viruses that are known to cause respiratory and digestive illnesses, including explosive diarrhea and vomiting, but can also lead to more serious heart, brain and other diseases.

More than 150 athletes are competing in an Olympic qualifier and Paratriathlon event beginning Saturday. Teams gathered on Copacabana Beach said the International Triathlon Union (ITU) gave them guarantees the water was safe.

"The information we have is that it's safe to swim," said Amanda Duke, team manager for the U.S. paratriathlon team.

But officials with the group may consider pushing for expanded testing of Rio's waters, said Shin Otsuka, executive board member of ITU. Currently, tests evaluate bacteria, but not viruses.

"The ITU has contracted with the local organizing committee to conduct the water-quality tests, and we trust the results," Shin Otsuka, executive board member of the International Triathlon Union, said through an interpreter. "The outcome of the testing has met the standards."

But "we are aware that at other bays and lakes (in Rio) that the virus situation is terrible," Otsuka said.

Athletes said that the conditions of the water appeared better than they were expecting. But water experts and the government's own pollution monitoring officials all note that sewage pollution typically isn't something that can be seen by the naked eye.

Because conditions of ocean waters tend to be volatile, it is difficult to determine just how much of a risk athletes faced swimming in the water on Friday, said David Zee, an oceanography professor at Rio's state university.

"The fluctuation depends on the tide. Every 12 hours we have a high tide and a low tide. For sure during high tide the water quality is much better than in the low tide," he said. Other factors such as winds, temperature and whether or not it rained recently can also affect water quality.

But "if the test was done and the water was considered unfit, without a doubt there's a certain risk."

The Rio de Janeiro state government and the state environmental agency in press releases blasted the AP report as being alarmist and said it was unfair to judge Rio's waters based on viral counts, limits of which are not designated in Brazilian legislation. They are also not set limits in the U.S. or the EU. The agency also questioned the qualifications of the laboratory where the AP samples were analyzed.

Zee, the oceanography professor, rejected the government's response, saying that in Brazil "it's natural that the authorities react saying that 'everything is fine,' but everything is not fine."

Zee, who has long researched pollution in Guanabara Bay, added that the AP testing "was done in a trustworthy lab."

The area that was ruled unfit by the Rio environmental agency for swimming earlier this week was based levels of fecal coliforms, which are single-celled organisms that live in the intestines of humans and animals. Fecal coliforms can suggest the presence of cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.

Costa Rican triathlete Leonardo Chacon said he doesn't do anything differently to protect his body before going into the water in Rio, but plans to take anti-parasitic pills after he leaves to make sure he doesn't get sick. Those pills would not protect him against viruses.

With the Olympics a year away, he felt the risk was worth it.

"We know we are exposed to viruses, maybe to health problems later, but in my case, I have invested so much to prepare myself for this and I want this to happen because I can't recuperate this investment any other way other than competing and winning the points that I need to win."
« Last Edit: August 01, 2015, 04:57:43 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Toyota invests $$ in Rio medal quest
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2015, 04:31:37 PM »
Toyota invests $$ in Rio medal quest
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Guardian)
Published: Thursday, July 30, 2015



Following T&T’s best ever medal haul in the history of the Pan Amercian Games, the national track and field athletes received an added boost as Toyota has agreed to contribute $750,000 towards the T&T Olympic Committee’s Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund.

The announcement was made yesterday at the T&T Olympic House on Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain.

Toyota T&T Limited will contribute $150,000 per year for the next five years leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

President of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis said Toyota’s involvement is timely after T&T won eight medals (three gold, three silver and two bronze) at the recently concluded Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada. Speaking about Toyota’s sponsorship, Lewis said, “In March this year Toyota Motor Corporation signed a historic agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to become a top partner. Toyota Motor Corporation is now a top partner of the IOC in the vehicle and mobility category.

“In T&T, Toyota has made a specific contribution to the ten or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 for the Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund during the course of the five-year partnership. In addition Toyota will become the official vehicle and mobility partner of the TTOC, supporting our transport needs where needed and within certain constraints.”

Sean Shaffie, marketing manager at Toyota, said the president and CEO of Toyota signed on as an official Olympic sponsor for the 2020 Games, a deal reportedly valued at $835,000,000 US dollars. Shaffie stated this was one of the reasons Toyota T&T Limited decided to get involved.

Shaffie said: “Toyota T&T Limited is proud to announce this morning that for the next five years, starting today, we will be supporting our Olympic contingent via the T&T Olympic Committee to help them prepare for the 2020 Olympics. Not only because our parent company is an official Olympic sponsor, but because it is part of our burning desire to coordinate and contribute to Olympic success for our athletes.”

Toyota’s marketing manager said: “Achieving success has become a symbolic part of Toyota in T&T and in the rest of the world. We have been the number one selling branch for many years across the region and connecting our success with our Olympic athletes came naturally.”

Shaffie said Toyota has always been a supporter of local athletes and culture. “Toyota T&T Limited has always been an advocate for sport and local culture. We have been supporting sporting initiatives and the arts since inception and continue to do so without hesitation.

“Our athletes are our pride and joy and we (corporate T&T) need to show our love and support to these young men and women. Give them the encouragement to make us all proud. Their committment gives us great pleasure.”
« Last Edit: August 01, 2015, 04:58:51 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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TTOC head says no room for error in Rio
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2015, 02:41:37 AM »
TTOC head says no room for error in Rio
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)
Published: Friday, July 31, 2015


TTOC President Brian Lewis

Even as Olympic hopefuls engage in keen international competition to register qualifying times for Rio 2016, Sports Minister Brent Sancho and T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis are confirming that new and enhanced arrangements for the preparation of athletes ahead of the games are in place.

But neither official was willing to disclose, at this time, the level of investment required to boost T&T’s chances at the games. In a joint interview with the T&T Guardian, they assured the national community and most importantly the athletes and their representing bodies that this country’s medal push for Rio, would be unlike any before.

Lewis said plans for Rio 2016 were “going excellent,” and explained that a pre-qualification figure could not be disclosed because the approach by his executive, the minister and his staff, as well as national sporting organisations was integrated.

“Plans are going extremely well. The Olympic Committee continues to work very closely with the minister of sport and the ministry of sport, the Sport Company (of T&T) and all the stakeholders. We continue to put things in place. The fact is we are approaching a very crucial milestone in the context of Rio 2016, which is one year to go, from the 5th of August. It is very crucial that we continue to work together because with one year to go, there is no room and margin for error where our athletes are concerned,” Lewis said.

Sancho said his ministry staff met with officials of sporting organisation under the Olympic charter for a programme called the Podium Push.

The minister said, “We have asked the different disciplines to go out and come back to us with what they believe their athletes need to be podium ready for 2016. We are just waiting to put the final touches on that. We will now invest further to make sure that the athletes get everything for the next year to make sure that we achieve the lofty, but very attainable goals set by the TTOC president.”

The success at the Pan American Games said Lewis provided greater clarity in terms of who have qualified, while helping his executive to understand what athletes needed to do to qualify. In his view the Podium Push was an ideal complement to the 10 or more Olympic Gold Medals by 2024 programme.

Lewis said, “The Olympic Committee is very happy that everything is being done and we are having the positive, necessary and on-going discussions. I am confident once nothing comes in the way of that our athletes will have no reason to say they weren’t as prepared as they could for Rio 2016. We are on the same page with the minister and I feel confident that I can say that because he has been there before and he understands what is required and that it is about action and not talk.”

Sancho praised the TTOC’s 10 or More Olympic Gold Medal initiative, which in his view epitomized the kind of healthy relationship national sporting organisations needed to establish with the corporate sector.

“It’s a wonderful idea. It’s a true testament to the innovative idea that is set out by the TTOC. At the end of the day, I think any financial rewards at the end of it, is something that could be part and parcel of a drive for an athlete to compete and do well, as well as the national pride that comes with doing well for your country. It’s a truly ingenious idea,” he said.

Lewis said a number of joint projects were in the pipeline between the TTOC and the ministry of sport which includes the Elite Athlete Housing Programme and the setting up of the Good Governance Commission.

“So there is a lot taking place. We all recognise that we can’t continue to do the same things over and over and expect different results. The demands now being placed on our athletes and sports and sport administrators means we all need collectively to rise above the challenge,” said the TTOC official.
« Last Edit: August 05, 2015, 09:53:16 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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News Release: TTOC celebrates ‘One year to Rio Olympics 2016’
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2015, 07:54:00 PM »
News Release: TTOC celebrates ‘One year to Rio Olympics 2016’
Wednesday, 05 August 2015 13:14 (TTOC.org)


TTOC President Brian Lewis (left) presents 2015 Pan American Games medal bonus winners (2nd left to right) Emmanuel Callender, Keshorn Walcott and Dan-Neil Telesford at Olympic House.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) hosted a ‘One year to Rio 2016’ acknowledgement at Olympic House in unison with the rest of the world in marking the one-year countdown to Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 5th.

The TTOC used this landmark day to celebrate the road to Rio and commemorate the athletes that have achieved excellence at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

The proceedings opened with a short video presentation highlighting team TTO’s performance at the recently concluded 2015 Pan American Games. TTOC’s President, Brian Lewis, reinforced the vision of achieving the 10 or more gold medals by the year 2024. “Toronto 2015 and the performances of our athletes started to make some people believe that it (#10Golds24) may have been possible; that it wasn’t far fetched and unrealistic,” he stated.

“Rio 2016 therefore, in the context of 10 or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 is going to be very important because thereafter comes Tokyo 2020 and then 2024,” he continued.
 
Toronto 2015 Chef de Mission, Diane Henderson led the Trinidad and Tobago Pan American Games contingent of 180 athletes and officials in fourteen different sporting disciplines. The T&T contingent left Toronto with 8 medals, surpassing the medal haul of the Guadalajara Games in 2011.

In celebration of the one-year mark to the Rio Olympics 2016, the TTOC presented Trinidad and Tobago’s medalists from the 2015 Pan American Games with their medal bonuses. Of the 13 athletes were Keshorn Walcott, Dan-Neil Telesford and Emmanuel Callender.
 
The complete list of medal winners include: Cleopatra Borel, Keshorn Walcott, George Bovell III, Njisane Phillip, Mikel Thomas (Individual medalist), Rondel Sorrillo, Emmanuel Callender, Keston Bledman Dan-Neil Telesford (4 x 100m Relay team), Renny Quow, Jarrin Solomon, Machel Cedenio and Emmanuel Mayers (4 x 400m Relay team).
 
With the conclusion of the Pan American Games, the TTOC moves forward with full force in preparation for the Olympics in 2016. The games will take place from 5th – 21st August 2016 in four regions throughout the city.
 
Thank you to other distinguished guests Olympic gold medalist Hasley Crawford, President of the National Association of Athletics Administration Ephraim Serette and Senator Elton Prescott SC for attending.
 
The TTOC would also like to thank our official partners Guardian Group Limited, National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), Toyota, Lisa Communications, ScotiaBank, Adidas, BPTT, Columbus Communications for their continued support.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 01:43:24 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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1 Year to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KQ7TCUSZYIU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KQ7TCUSZYIU</a>

1 year to go to realise the dream of staging the biggest sporting event in the world: the Olympic Games!


TTOC celebrates One year to Rio 2016
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/6s5NB51_LJM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/6s5NB51_LJM</a>

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) hosted a ‘One year to Rio 2016’ acknowledgement at Olympic House in unison with the rest of the world in marking the one-year countdown to Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 5th.

The TTOC used this landmark day to celebrate the road to Rio and commemorate the athletes that have achieved excellence at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.


ONE YEAR TO RIO 2016

Today marks one year to go for the opening ceremony to the 2016 Olympic Games which will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee held a small ceremony at their head office marking the countdown to Brazil.
 
Caston Cupid was there for the occasion and tells us more.

Click link to view: https://www.facebook.com/CNC3Television/videos/vb.126206357995/10153525339252996/?type=2&theater


T&T OLYMPIANS ON COUNTDOWN TO OLYMPICS

With 365 days to go to the one of grandest events in sport, the Olympic Games, some of T&T's Olympians have been in touch with CNC3.

Click link to view: https://www.facebook.com/CNC3Television/videos/vb.126206357995/10153525329807996/?type=2&theater


ATO ON OLYMPIC PROSPECTS
 
Four-time Olympic Medalist Ato Boldon speaks with CNC3 on Day 1 of the countdown to Rio 2016.

Click link to view: https://www.facebook.com/CNC3Television/videos/vb.126206357995/10153525357247996/?type=2&theater
« Last Edit: August 06, 2015, 05:10:54 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Lewis: No margin for error
« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2015, 01:32:56 PM »
Lewis: No margin for error
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Guardian)
Published: Thursday, August 6, 2015


GOLD MEDALLIST TO GOLD MEDALLIST: Former olympic gold medalist Hasely Crawford right presents javelin sensation and current gold medalist Keshorn Walcott with a cheque during a press conference hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic committee, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, yesterday. PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ

President of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis said there is no margin for error and all obstacles must be removed, as the T&T athletes begin their final preparations towards the 2016 Olympic Games.

The 2016 Olympic Games begin on August 5 next year in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Lewis, speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Olympic House, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, said: “Today around the world the Olympic movement is being celebrated - one year to go to the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Games. A journey for some that started when they were five years old and will culminate in Rio.”

He added: “There is no margin for error, as our athletes, coaches and administrators will tell you we are at a particular point where everything that can be done, must be done. Whatever obstacles there are, they must be removed. Whatever door is closed, must be opened. Whatever channels are blocked must be freed.”

The TTOC president said that next year’s Olympics is the beginning of the goal for ten or more gold medals by 2024.

“A couple years ago I had a vision for ten or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024. Initially the majority of the people I spoke to were negative. But there are a couple I would like to mention because they were an inspiration at that point in time. One of the first people I had that discussion with was Keshorn Walcott. I then spoke to Hasely Crawford and he was supportive.”

Lewis also stated that National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette, Senator Elton Prescott Secretary General Annette Knott and the TTOC executive also showed their support.

Lewis said the performance of the national athletes at the Pan American Games made more people believe that ten or more gold medals by 2024 is possible. “The performances of our athletes at the Pan Am Games in Toronto started to make some people believe that it may be possible and after all it was not far fetched and unrealistic.”

T&T won eight medals at the recently concluded Pan American Games, the most in the country’s history.

Lewis has also spoken to mayor of Port-of-Spain Raymond Tim Kee about making Lord Harris Square into an Olympic Village and calling the surrounding area Olympic Neighbourhood.

Pan American medal winners Keshorn Walcott, Emmanuel Callender and Dan-neil Telesford were all in attendance to receive their medal incentives. Walcott won gold in the javelin, while Callender and Telesford were part of the 4X100m men’s team that won bronze.


Keshorn Walcott, Ephraim Serrette President NAAA & Hasley Crawford at Olympic House.

National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette, said the relationship between the TTOC and the NAAA is excellent. “I always believe in team and as the president indicated we have an excellent working relationship, we understand what it takes to get to a high level. I am very fortunate to be at the helm of the Association at this time and have the support of people like Hasely Crawford who understands what it takes to get to the top.”
« Last Edit: August 07, 2015, 12:04:07 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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I noticed that Ato mentioned that some established Trini athletes are headed his way to train so I wonder who they are. I'm pretty excited but as much as I want MLA to be in his camp I don't think she will be but I still hope so.

Hoping for all of our sprinters to benefit from his knowledge and expertise.

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Bumpy road to Rio Games 2016
« Reply #13 on: August 08, 2015, 11:14:25 AM »
Bumpy road to Rio Games 2016
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Saturday, August 8 2015 (T&T Newsday)



Twelve national senior Olympic cycling hopefuls have pedalled onto a bumpy road to Rio de Janeiro 2016 having been told by Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) officials that they will be unable to finance the riders’ trip to Santiago, Chile, for next month’s Pan American Cycling Championships.

The dreaded news was relayed to all riders and/or their representatives at an emergency meeting held by the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation earlier this week. Ultimately, the 12 cyclists will now have to pay their own way to the Championships.

As it stands, the Pan Am tourney serves as the final qualification meet for the three upcoming UCI World Cup events.

These World Cups will be held in Cali, Colombia (October 30), Cambridge, New Zealand (December 5) and Hong Kong, China (January 16, 2016). Ironically, they also serve as qualifiers for next year’s World Cycling Championships in London, which is the final stage for riders to affirm Olympic qualification.

The affected cyclists are London Olympic Men’s Sprint fourthplaced Njisane Phillip, Quincy Alexander, Kwesi Browne, Jude Codrington, Justin Roberts, Varun Maharajh, Akil Campbell, Gavyn Nero, Jovian Gomez and females Jodi Goodridge, Aziza Browne and Teneil Campbell.

These 12 riders have now been given no other option but to source their own funding to represent Trinidad and Tobago on their quest for an Olympic spot.

Altogether, the national cycling contingent is in need of approximately $300,000 to fund the entire trip and they have all now been forced to find these monies by whatever means in just under three weeks.

However, individual funds will vary for each competing cyclist due to their event participation and equipment.

Upon receiving the news from TT CF last week, the cyclists/ managers were obviously disgruntled.

But, in speaking with Minister of Sport Brent Sancho yesterday, he revealed that a meeting with TT CF president Robert Farrier on this pressing matter would be held over this weekend to hopefully find a solution.

“I was supposed to meet with the cycling president today (yesterday) to talk about it more but we both had engagements in separate parts of the country but we’ll try to link up once more this weekend,” said the former 2006 World Cup player.

“We cannot leave out our Olympic cycling hopefuls at all.

The Ministry of Sport, just like SporTT , is strapped for cash though. We definitely have to help them source these funds, I have to try.” However, Sancho directed his guns at the local football fraternity, claiming that his government has already overstretched their financial promises to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TT FA), and now, other sports are suffering.

“SporTT is really cash-strapped because they were engaged in a lot this year,” added the Minister of Sport. “You see we had to continuously extend ourselves as it relates to football, and this is my point about this whole football situation, they are suppressing the other sports nationwide. It is only one pie we have and everybody has to share it. People are not realising that. Football is getting funds from Concacaf and FIFA and they are not being fair to the other sports. This is the reality of the situation. We are working on it.” Phillip, Alexander, Roberts, Codrington and Browne are hopeful to fly the red, white and black in the Pan Am Cycling Sprint and Team Sprint events.

And for the first time in national sporting history, TT fielded its first ever elite Team Pursuit and Women’s Team Sprint squads.

The former comprises of Maharajh, Gomez, Nero and young speedster Campbell while the latter features Goodridge, Browne and the younger Campbell.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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TTOC to spearhead Olympic Park
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2015, 09:22:26 PM »
TTOC to spearhead Olympic Park
Published on Aug 9, 2015, 12:01 am AST (T&T Express)


TTOC Olympic House

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has announced its desire to convert the Lord Harris Square in Port of Spain into an Olympic Village. The local Olympic governing body detailed its plans in a recent media release which followed its "One Year to Rio" acknowledgement at its Abercromby Street head office on Wednesday.

According to TTOC president Brian Lewis, the park will be focused on creating an Olympic experience for the supporters of the T&T Olympic team. The park will also include a number of different features to attract the public, with the intention of building greater awareness and support for sport in T&T.

The TTOC also intends to attract the attention of the numerous primary and secondary schools in the Port of Spain area. The park will create a space for learning, as the TTOC continues to educate people about the Olympic movement, T&T's Olympic history, healthy lifestyles and culture.

The village will form a part of not only the TTOC’s "Road to Rio" campaign, but also its recent mandate to bring home ten Olympic gold medals by 2024.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Podium Push
« Reply #15 on: August 13, 2015, 07:27:03 PM »
Podium Push
By Mark Pouchet (T&T Express)
Published on Aug 12, 2015, 10:23 pm AST


HAVING FUN: Captain of the Women Soca Warriors Maylee Attin Johnson, left, and Dwayne Bravo, skipper of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel team play with each other during the Sports Ministry Achievers Luncheon at Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Port of Spain, yesterday. --Photo: ANISTO ALVES

The Ministry of Sport (MoS) announced a major new sports programme called ‘Podium Push’, which officials say is designed to supplement the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s (TTOC) drive to 10 golds by the 2024 Olympics goal. But officials failed to disclose the amount budgeted for the initiative.

At an Achievers’ Luncheon hosted by the MoS at the grand ballroom of the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, yesterday, MoS director of sport Gabre Mc Tair, speaking on behalf of the absent Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, said the Ministry had created this initiative called ‘Podium Push’ to further enhance top local athletes’ chances of securing podium performances at the Rio 2016 Olympics next year.

“Our Elite Athlete Assistant Programme needed some refocusing to ensure that our sporting elite received proper funding, I recognised that even more was needed to help Brian Lewis and his team at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee achieve their aim of ten gold medals by the year 2024. Providing funding to take our top athletes to the Olympics is not enough. I realise that getting there is not the challenge but finishing in the top three requires additional commitment and effort from the athletes, coaches support teams and the Ministry of Sport,” Mc Tair said, without disclosing any budgeted figures for the initiative.

Mc Tair said the various national sporting bodies will have to recommend to the Ministry of Sport the athletes who they feel are podium ready, not athletes who would just compete but those who are in the top 20 in the world in their discipline.

“These are the athletes who we feel have a real chance of finishing in the gold, silver or bronze positions,” Mc Tair added. Mc Tair said that medals are separated by fractions of a second, metre or kilogramme.

Mc Tair vowed that T&T Olympic athletes will receive the best possible preparation for the Rio Olympics so that Lewis and TTOC can have a realistic chance of achieving the 10 golds by 2024 objective. Mc Tair added the expenses to be covered include travel to competitions, overseas training camps, sessions with a nutritionist, sports psychologist or specialist trainer.

Earlier, members of the Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago team received plaques for their 48-medal haul (15 gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze) at the Special Olympics World Games that concluded in Los Angeles, California, USA, earlier this month.

Also receiving plaques were medallists of the Pan Am Junior Championship athletics team and medallist at the Pan American Games in Toronto that concluded on July 27. None of the Pan AM Games medallists was present because they were either outside the country or on their way to the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Beijing that commences from August 22. Other members of the Pan Am Games team including swimmer Dylan Carter, T&T men’s hockey captain Darren Cowie, and shooter Roger Daniel, were also present.

Also recognised were members of the Red Steel team who won the Caribbean Premier League championship title last month and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Blind and Visually Impaired cricket team, which clinched the T-20 and 40-overs Caribbean titles in St Lucia over the weekend.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Sports Ministry launches — Rio’s Podium Push
« Reply #16 on: August 13, 2015, 07:42:37 PM »
Sports Ministry launches —
Rio’s Podium Push

By Nicholas Clarke (T&T Guardian)
Published: Thursday, August 13, 2015


The Ministry of Sport has launched a new programme, entitled the Podium Push, aimed at providing elite athletes with the best preparation possible for next year’s Rio Olympics. This was revealed during a function held in recognition of the country’s athletes at the Hilton Ballroom in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Sport Brent Sancho, who was unable to attend, director of physical education Gabre-Jesu McTair said the programme was designed to ensure the T&T Olympic Committee’s aim of winning 10 gold medals by 2024 could be realised.

“Providing funding to take our athletes to the Olympics is not enough. Getting there is not the challenge, but finishing in the top three. That requires extra effort from the athletes, coaches, support teams and the Ministry of Sports,” said McTair as he read from the Sancho’s prepared statement. “I am asking various national sporting governing bodies to recommend the athletes who they feel are podium ready. In other words, those athletes who won’t just compete, but those who are in the top 20 in the world in their discipline. These are the athletes who we feel have a real chance of finishing in the gold, silver or bronze positions.”

The function was attended by dozens of local athletes, including members of the CPL-winning T&T Red Steel, the 48-medal winning Special Olympics team, the Pan American delegation, and the national blind cricket team.

President of the TTOC Brian Lewis called on the country to take sport more seriously by creating conditions under which athletes could thrive.

“I remind everyone that actions speak louder than words. There are so many things that still need to be done for our athletes and it’s not only about money. There are simple things. We still have a corporate culture where representing your country is not considered a national service and our athletes have to take no-pay leave or time from their vacation to represent their country. It is a reality that for many people involved in sport, they have to make those sacrifices 80 percent of time,” he said. “If in the wider community, sport is not seen as key development pillar in the future vision for this country similarly as it is done in country’s such a Singapore, then notwithstanding the best intentions, dedication and commitment of sport stakeholders, we will all continue to struggle. Sport can make a powerful difference to society and I urge the country and its decision makers to take sport seriously.”

Meanwhile T&T Red Steel captain said he had been personally inspired by the achievements of the Special Olympics team.

“They are the real heroes of our country. To do what they do, words cant’ explain. I think they give us more appreciation of what we have and make us realise we should never take anything for granted,” he said. “Maybe one day our management can actually get the Red Steel team to do some kind of games with those Special Olympians.”
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Cartan Global is the Rio 2016™ Authorised Ticket Reseller for T&T!
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2015, 02:34:26 PM »


Cartan Global is the Rio 2016™ Authorised Ticket Reseller for Trinidad and Tobago! Tickets will go on sale August 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT. Please visit www.cartanglobal.com/rio2016 for more information.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Cable and Wireless countdown to Rio 2016
« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2015, 08:08:00 AM »
Cable and Wireless countdown to Rio 2016
Saturday, August 15 2015 (T&T Newsday)



Rio 2016 Olympic Games is just around the corner, and C&W Communications (C&W), operators of Flow and LIME brands in the Caribbean, has pledged to bring more Caribbean Olympic content to regional fans.

With less than a year to go, C&W, the Exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), has also committed to support Caribbean athletes as they pursue their Olympic dreams.

With the hopes of millions of Caribbean nationals in the diaspora and across the region hanging onto the prospect of mining gold, the Olympic Games are eagerly anticipated and a major source of national and regional pride.

Only last week, Flow Jamaica announced a major partnership with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, (JAAA), and inked a two-year deal valued at J$28M to sponsor all its national championships and teams. In the coming weeks, other C&W markets across the region will announce their support of local athletes in preparation for Rio 2016.

Earlier in 2015, C&W revealed it had become the exclusive telecom partner to the CANOC, which had secured the Olympic content rights in 20 English-speaking countries, as well as non-exclusive rights to ten non-English-speaking countries throughout the region. The company also announced its intention to thrill Caribbean audiences by bringing multi-platform streams of exclusive, locally focussed content featuring Caribbean athletes as they pursue victory at the games.

“We are proud to bring a more enriched Olympic experience to the Caribbean,” said John Reid, president of the C&W Consumer Group. “We are readying our markets for the games through our sponsorship of athletes and programmes, and by offering multi-platform coverage featuring Olympic content to Caribbean viewers who yearn to see more home-grown talents live and in action on the prestigious world stage,” added Reid.

In addition to the JAAA partnership, C&W will unveil a full schedule of activities as it marks the countdown to RIO 2016; customers will soon notice their local Flow retail stores featuring Olympic promotions.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2015, 08:35:34 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Women Soca Warriors begin Olympic quest on Friday
« Reply #19 on: August 19, 2015, 09:08:16 AM »
Women Soca Warriors begin Olympic quest on Friday
Wednesday, August 19 2015 (T&T Newsday)


THE TRINIDAD and Tobago women football team, commonly called “the Women Soca Warriors”, will begin their quest for a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday.

The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Olympic Qualifying First Round will feature Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, St Lucia and Antigua/Barbuda in a round-robin Group Two stage - all matches will take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The Women Soca Warriors will face Cayman Islands on Friday, St Lucia on Sunday and Antigua/Barbuda next Tuesday.

Group One will feature Aruba, Grenada, Haiti and Puerto Rico; Group Three will comprise Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Suriname; while Group Four will involve Cuba, Guyana and St Kitts/Nevis.

Three teams from the CFU Qualifiers will progress to the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championships, which will be staged in the United States from February 10-21.

Hosts United States, Canada and Mexico will participate in the CONCACAF leg, as well as two nations from the Central American region.

Two teams from the CONCACAF Qualifiers will advance to the Olympic Games.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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A team of refugees will compete at this summer's Olympics in Rio
« Reply #20 on: March 02, 2016, 09:49:31 PM »
The IOC will will invite a team of refugees to participate in Rio
Wednesday, 02 March 2016 (BBC Sport, Olympics)


Rio will stage the first Games in South America

A team of refugees will compete at this summer's Olympics in Rio.

A total of 43 prospective athletes have been identified for the Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA), which will compete under the Olympic flag.

"By welcoming ROA to the Olympic Games in Rio, we want to send a message of hope to all the refugees of the world," said International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

"This team will be treated like all the other teams."

As well as sporting ability, selection criteria will include personal circumstances and United Nations-verified refugee status.

Athletes will then be supported with funds to train.

"This team may end up between five and 10 athletes maybe," said Bach. "We have no target. It depends very much on the sporting qualifications."

The ROA will be housed in the athletes' village and will enter the opening ceremony as the penultimate team, ahead of hosts Brazil.

The IOC also issued assurances over the Zika virus, slow ticket sales, water pollution and facilities.

Fewer than half of tickets sold

So far, fewer than half of the 7.5 million tickets issued for the Games, which will run from 5-21 August, have been sold.

Sales of more expensive tickets for premium events and the opening ceremony mean ticket revenues have reached 74% or $195m (£139m), but the build-up to the Games has been overshadowed by an economic downturn in Brazil, political turmoil and Zika.

The 2012 Olympics in London reached its revenue target from ticket sales months before the start because of huge demand and, overall, 96% of the 8.2 million tickets were sold.

`"I have no concerns at all there," said Bach.

"Brazilians, they do not buy tickets at such an early stage, as the British or the Germans. There is no concern at all. We had comparable figures before other Olympic Games.

"I have no doubt that when the time comes, these numbers will increase."


Athletes will be housed at the Ilha Pura complex in Rio's west zone

Zika a 'moving target'

Brazil has been at the centre of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to a rise in cases of babies born with unusually small heads.

As the British Olympic Association warned pregnant women to avoid all non-essential travel to Brazil, the IOC said it continues to follow the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has said that Brazil should be safe during its winter.

Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada said athletes will have air conditioning in their rooms and will be advised to keep the windows closed to keep any mosquitoes out.

"Zika is a moving target," he said. "It's a global tragedy, especially for women and pregnant woman. But from a broader games perspective, the WHO believes it will not be a major factor."

A waste of $25m?

Andrada also said that that the Brazilian government would issue a presidential decree to ensure that a $25m (£17.7m) drug testing lab in Rio does not go unused.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has issued a deadline of 18 March for Brazil to comply with international doping legislation.

The decree, to be issued on 15 March, will "solve this problem", according to Andrada, because there is not enough time to push new laws through parliament.

Facilities and water

Before the outbreak of the Zika virus, there were health concerns about pollution in the water where some events will be held.

As a result, Guanabara Bay, which will host sailing and swimming, and the lagoon where rowing and canoeing events will take place are to be subject to increased testing.

Both sites will be examined every other day from April, and then on a daily basis during the Games.

In addition, Andrada claimed that almost all venues were ready for the Olympics, saying: "All venues are almost around 95% ready.

"The velodrome needs a little more but it will be ready at the end of April."
« Last Edit: March 03, 2016, 08:34:45 AM by Socapro »

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TICKET STAMPED*
« Reply #21 on: March 06, 2016, 02:23:07 PM »
TICKET STAMPED*
By By Sean Taylor, sean.taylor@trinidadexpress.com
Published on Mar 5, 2016, 12:41 am AST (T&T Express)


PEDAL TO THE METAL: Trinidad and Tobago sprint cyclist Njisane Phillip competes at the UCI World Championships in London, England. —Photo: AFP

Port of Spain
 
Rigtech Sonics cyclist Njisane Phillip qualified for the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after he blazed the track in the flying 200m qualifier, clocking 9.969 seconds at the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in London, England, yesterday morning.

Phillip was then subsequently drawn against a familiar nemesis in New Zealand’s Edward Dawkins in the match sprint 1/16 final (round of 32). Dawkins, who lost to Phillip at the same stage, at the same venue, during the 2012 London Olympics, got the better of the T&T sprint champion this time around as he held his (Phillip’s) late charge to the line.

“It didn’t go the way I wanted to go but I am happy with securing my Rio spot,” the rider told the Express hours after the race. “I’m super excited and ready to start my prep for the Olympics.”

The rider also indicated that he will take a break after the World Championships before starting the final march before the big event. “Now I have some time off,” he said. “About a week or two, then I go back in for training.”
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Njisane qualifies for Olympics
« Reply #22 on: March 06, 2016, 02:30:05 PM »
Njisane qualifies for Olympics
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Saturday, March 5 2016 (T&T Newsday)


Trinidad & Tobago sprint cyclist Njisane Phillip (left) has booked his ticket to Rio

Relief was the emotion felt the most by Trinidad and Tobago cyclist, Njisane Phillip, upon securing his second consecutive Olympic berth along the historic Lee Valley VeloPark track in London, England, early yesterday morning.

The 24-year old speedster completed his 2016 Olympic Games qualification campaign by producing a blistering 9.969 second performance in the Men’s Flying 200m preliminary round. Phillip’s overall time was 14th fastest in the opening stage, a clocking which saw him advance to the 1/16 round of competition and automatically seal his Olympic spot.

Topping the field in the Flying 200m however, was current number one ranked UCI sprinter Matthew Glaetzer (Australia) who stopped the clock in a mesmerising 9.766s, while reigning Olympic Men’s Sprint champion Jason Kenny (9.767s) was second fastest and Dutch rider, Jeffrey Hoogland (9.767s), third overall.

In the 1/16, Phillip squares off with New Zealander Edward Dawkins for a place in the quarter-final round. But, the in-form Kiwi emerged victorious in straight rides to advance, while Phillip calmly exited well aware that his hard earned Olympic place had been already affirmed.

Speaking to the ace cyclist following his performance yesterday, Phillip expressed relief and contentment on his most recent achievement.

“Today was really tough but I’m happy about my qualifying time because it was faster than my entire World Cup season,” said Phillip speaking from the London venue. “I’ve been improving every race. I’m just elated that I was able to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and that pressure is finally off now. It’s a real stress relief.” The reigning National sprint and keirin champion also admitted that the past few months of competition and intense training has taken a major toll on him. Phillip will now take a two-week break and is expected back home on March 13.

“I’m going to take a little break now and then refocus to start training again,” he added. “It’s been a pretty long season for me and this break is well needed. I just want to thank everybody for their support through it all and I’m just happy that the pressure is off. There’s one major goal now (an Olympic medal).

I’m really praying that they open the Velodrome in Trinidad so I could start doing some work down there.” The two-wheel ace is expected to take part in several upcoming international Grand Prixs which will be used to gauge his final progression ahead of the Olympics. Following his Olympic confirmation, Minister of Sport Darryl Smith, telephoned Phillip’s step-father Phillip Whiteman, to offer his congratulatory marks.

Smith celebrated the riders’ dedication and hard work by posting a photo of himself to Phillip’s Facebook Page donning the cyclist’s personal ‘JLD’ branded cap.

Minister Smith said: “After all you have been through for the last three years you believed in yourself.

You found a way to make it.

Continue to stay focus and work hard and make Trinidad and Tobago proud on the world map.” The local Rigtech Sonics representative also commended the strong support of Phillip and Marie Dimsoy Whiteman for their commitment and patience towards his development.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2016, 02:35:43 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Deeks

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Congrats to Mr. Philipps

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Taekwondo trio go after Olympic berths*
« Reply #24 on: March 10, 2016, 03:57:16 AM »
Taekwondo trio go after Olympic berths*
By Sean Taylor, sean.taylor@trinidadexpress.com
Published on Mar 9, 2016, 8:22 pm AST (T&T Express)


T&T Team: From left to right, Anthony Ferguson President of the Trinidad and Tobago Taewkondo Association (TTTA) stands with the rest of the team members and officials, including Edson Breedy (back row), Melissa Joseph (front), Cheryl Ann Sankar, Colin Mufford the national coach and Lenn Hypolite. Sankar was T&T’s first-ever representative in the sport at the Olympic Games, and fought at the Sydney Olympics. Photo courtesy TBL Sports Management

Last Friday, the day of reckoning came for Trinidad and Tobago’s elite sprint cyclist Njisane Phillip, and he answered the call. Today, roughly a week later, the same hour of truth comes for three more athletes vying for Olympic qualification with taekwondo being the discipline this time around.

The long winding road will soon be over for Edson Breedy, Lenn Hypolite and Melissa Joseph, who were all selected to represent T&T at the Pan American Olympic Qualifiers which start today on the mat in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The journey has been markedly different for all three competitors, as the challenges mounted up in the build-up to the event.

USA-born Joseph, decided to apply for dual citizenship which allowed her to be in contention for selection by the Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association (TTTA).
« Last Edit: March 10, 2016, 06:13:39 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Williams cleared for 2016 Rio qualifier
« Reply #25 on: March 17, 2016, 07:15:36 AM »
Williams cleared for 2016 Rio qualifier
By JOEL BAILEY Wednesday, March 16 2016 (T&T Newsday)


Top Trinidad & Tobago gymnast Thema Williams now confirmed for Olympic Test event. :)

NATIONAL GYMNAST Thema Williams has been confirmed as the representative for this country at the Aquece Final Gymnastics Qualifier at the Rio Olympic Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from April 16-22, according to a media release last evening from the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF).

The decision effectively ends weeks of speculation regarding whether Williams or her alternate Marissa Dick would be handed the spot after topless photos of the pair surfaced from random members of the public.

Williams, who is battling to recover from a knee injury, must prove her fitness though in time for the event or it would go Dick who would take her spot.

According to the TT GF, “Williams qualified along with Dick for the single Trinidad and Tobago country spot at the World Gymnastics Championships held in Glasgow (last) October.

Thema attained the higher of the two scores, and the opportunity to represent Trinidad at the Test Event.” The TT GF media release continued, “in accordance with the athlete agreement, both gymnasts must submit a medical report/clearance to compete, in the weeks leading up to the Test Event - to ensure their continued fitness.

“In his 2016 January to March monthly reports, (Williams’ coach John) Geddert advised the Federation that the young gymnast has not yet been able to train landings on Vault and insert a key skill at this time in her Floor routine because of a knee issue. This situation will be monitored closely to ensure that Thema will be competition ready for her Test Event.” The Federation had drawn the ire of the public who perceived them to be victimising the 20-year-old over her topless photo which was leaked to the media weeks ago.

The Federation also refused to allow Williams to compete in a Level 10 meet in the United States, which did not please her American coach.

In turn, Geddert accused the local governing body of thwarting the 20-year-old from gaining crucial preparation for the forthcoming Test Event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next month The Federation had to name its final choice for the Test Event by today or risk paying a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs (approximately TT $6,650).

The TT GF is adamant that the current saga - about the Olympic Test event - is not related to the issue of the photos but on the fitness levels of both Williams and Dick.

A passionate TT GF assistant treasurer Donna Lue Shue, with regards to not allowing Williams to take part in the US meet, said in a telephone interview yesterday, “there was a competition two weeks ago in Canada, which was earmarked by the Federation for her to compete in.

“Her coach said he would not let her compete because it was too close to the Olympic Test Event and, now, he wants her to compete at another event which is even closer to the Test Event, and is at a lower level (Level 10).” Lue Shue noted, “it’s in (a written contract) that both cannot drop a level and, if we had let her compete in it, Marissa could have sued us (the TT GF).” “Marissa came fourth and fifth in her (respective) events at the same meet in Canada,” stated the TT GF assistant treasurer. “It’s a fact that since Williams has qualified, she hasn’t been consistent leading up to the Test Event while Marissa has.” Lue Shue said the organisation was being pressured by people who were not considering the fitness levels of both athletes but thinking of the topless photos issue which has not be adjudicated on.

“People could bash us on social media but the truth will prevail,” she declared, explaining that the Disciplinary case concerning the photos has been shelved.

She also dismissed the notion that race was being considered in choosing TT ’s representative, saying she would never be a part of something like that.

Williams’ godmother, popular entertainer Nikki Crosby, during a telephone interview yesterday prior to the TT GF announcement was livid, “it’s ridiculous, from the feedback we’ve been getting on social media.” Saying that Williams is “an athlete who has been caught up in the politics”, Crosby was adamant that “the fight down has been ‘real’.

Gymnastics has always been a very high-colour, an elitist sport.” Dick was chosen by the TT GF as its Sports Personality of the Year 2015 and Crosby insisted, “What are (Dick’s) qualities to be Sportswoman of the Year? People are pissed, it’s like a joke gone too far.” In related news, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs yesterday issued a press release yesterday that seemed to indicated a hands-off approach to the entire fiasco but gave a veiled threat that they would consider withholding funds from “an NGB (National Governing Body) for Sport if it cannot resolve its internal disputes professionally and maturely, or if executive decisions are not in keeping with best sporting practice or the tenets of the National Sport Policy.” The release indicated that the Sports Ministry, “along with the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT ), having consulted with the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C), advises the public that as Government entities, the Ministry and SPORTT may monitor, but should not intervene in disputes within National Governing Bodies (NGBs) for sport.

“NGBs are independent sporting entities whose autonomy is sacrosanct under the Olympic Charter and general principles of sports law.

Intervention from Government in these processes may incur country sanctions and threats of sanctions by international sporting organisations.

“The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago will continue to support NGBs in the conduct of their affairs and in the best interest of the athletes and support staff who represent Trinidad and Tobago.

We hope for a fair and speedy resolution to all disputes and for good governance in sport to be normalised in the affairs of all NGBs.”
« Last Edit: March 17, 2016, 07:35:56 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Gymnast Williams relieved
« Reply #26 on: March 17, 2016, 07:28:39 AM »
Gymnast Williams relieved
Thursday, March 17 2016 (T&T Newsday)


:thumbsup: Thumbs-up from T&T gymnast Thema Williams relieved that ordeal is over.

AFTER ENDURING three weeks of uncertainty and mixed emotions courtesy the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF), national gymnast Thema Williams, breathed a deep sigh of relief at her Michigan, United States, base on Tuesday, following confirmation of her participation in the Aquece Final Gymnastics Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 17.

This decision by the local governing body, following a disciplinary committee meeting two days ago, has now brought to an end a cumbersome 21-day speculation regarding whether Williams or her alternate Marissa Dick would be handed the coveted spot after topless photos of the pair surfaced from random members of the public in late February.

The April qualifier (Test Event) is the final stepping stone for the 20-year old to secure a debut spot for TT at the Summer Games in the discipline of artistic gymnastics.

Speaking to the soft-spoken Williams yesterday, she expressed relief that such an exhausting period of her competitive career was finally set straight.

“Relief,” she said. “Finally this is over. The past couple weeks have been a bit tough but I remain stronger than ever. I must say though, that the support I have received from people in Trinidad and Tobago was amazing. It (support) was deeply motivating and I’m still in a bit of shock as to how many fans reached out to me during this time.” Since Williams’ photograph was brought to nationwide attention by a one called ‘Georgette Heinz’, who emailed the image to local media houses on February 24, a call was made by the sender to have the athlete replaced from competing at the Test Event with Dick.

Ironically enough, a few days later another photo surfaced, this time with Dick posing topless on her SnapChat account. These abrupt and unexpected revelations by this nation’s top two female gymnasts then sent the local fraternity into a spiral. Following these discoveries, the TT GF executive was forced to convene several emergency meetings in an effort to make a final decision as to who would represent TT at the forthcoming qualifier.

“It was a sad day for me and the sport of gymnastics,” said Williams referring to the first day her photograph was made public. “I want to be a pioneer for sport and gymnastics in Trinidad and Tobago. I work so hard out here (USA) and when I heard of the situation I felt sad. I love my sport and my country and intend to be a role model for sportswomen. I didn’t expect so many people to get behind me (support). I guess that’s why I love Trinidad and Tobago, the people are really understanding and they care about their athletes.” Williams admitted however, that while TT was up in arms about two photos, she kept training and constantly worked on her progression.

According to the gymnast, she spent a lot of time in the gym, a place which took her mind off all the controversy taking place back home.

Referring to her recovery from a knee injury, Williams remains confident ahead of her medical examination which according to her, should be done sometime next week in the US.

“My knee is fine,” she said. “I’m not worried about any medical because I know how I feel. I’m also confident that I will pass this test and move on smoothly to the Test Event. I feel good and like I said, I’ve never stopped training so I’m continuously improving ahead of these coming meets.” In conclusion, the well-cut national representative issued an open ‘thank you’ to all those who, in whatever way, threw their support in her corner of the floor.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2016, 07:31:16 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Cartan Global is the Rio 2016™ Authorised Ticket Reseller for Trinidad and Tobago! Tickets will go on sale August 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT. Please visit www.cartanglobal.com/rio2016 for more information.

Trying to get tickets to the events from these people is akin to pulling out good teeth....steups!!
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline Brownsugar

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Ah een!!!  Ah get tickets to the Women' 100M Finals and the Men's 100M Final!!! BOOM!!!

 :party: :party: :cheers: :wavetowel: :wavetowel:
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline 100% Barataria

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Congratulations Brown, what a treat! You may get to see UB make history. Hopefully MLA and/or KAB will be in the mix as well...
Education is our passport for the future for the future belongs to those who prepare for it today

 

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