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NATIONAL junior athletes, who were recognized for their achievement in 2022 on Tuesday, were urged to remain patient as success is not always immediate.
TT athletes who earned medals at the 2022 Junior Pan American Swimming Championships, the 2022 Carifta Track and Field Games and at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games were all given plaques for their accomplishments.
The function, held at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, was called - A Celebration of Excellence.
[caption id="attachment_963546" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT’s Junior Pan Am swimmers display their awards at the National Raquet Centre, Tacarigua on Tuesday. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
Immediate past chairman of the Sport Company of TT Douglas Camacho said, “Do not look for the short path that you think brings success…the temptation, do not be fooled, will be there along the way. Your journey is not easy. Training in all the disciplines whether track and field, swimming (or) Special Olympics is arduous. It requires discipline, commitment, focus, family support, the wider circle of support among your friends.”
Camacho encouraged the junior athletes to emulate the TT men’s 4x100m team that earned a gold medal, on Tuesday.
Emmanuel Callender, Richard Thompson, Marc Burns, Keston Bledman and Aaron Armstrong received gold medals in a short Olympic medal reallocation ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
At the 2008 Olympics, Jamaica won the men’s 4x100m event, led by legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. However, in 2017, the International Olympic Committee revealed that Jamaica team member Nesta Carter had violated the anti-doping code by testing positive for methylhexaneamine. Jamaica were disqualified and TT, who had earned silver, were announced as the new winners.
[caption id="attachment_963547" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CARIFTA athletes display their awards during the Celebration of Excellence ceremony, at the National Raquet Centre, Tacarigua on Tuesday. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
Camacho told the junior athletes to compete fairly.
“Resist those temptations,” Camacho said.
Acting permanent secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Community Development Beverly Reid-Samuel commended the young athletes.
“This is indeed worth celebrating. Not only have you attained several medals, but you have set the bar extremely high,” Reid-Samuel said.
Reid-Samuel, who also highlighted the TT 2008 Beijing Olympic men’s 4x100m team, encouraged the junior athletes to continue striving for the best.
“As you go to the next chapters of your journey I encourage you to stay focused, continue to perform with excellence."
Reid-Samuel congratulated the athletes for demonstrating perseverance during the covid19 pandemic as training was interrupted and there was no opportunity to play.
 
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