Medal bonus that is performance based. Life skills Coaching. Preparing  our athletes for life after Olympic level sport.

Changing the culture is never easy or simple.

Getting support for Olympic athletes  in individual and team sports in an effort to allow them to achieve sustained competitive excellence is a vital priority.

But in doing so we must communicate the interests and protect the rights of athletes.

There are a number of areas that our athletes need to be better informed about these include anti-doping,  code of conduct, their right to due process.

Also important is assisting the athletes in recognizing their right to control and protect his or her own personal name, likeness and image.

As I have said before and made it very clear when the establishment of 10 Olympic Gold medals or more by 2024 (#10golds24) Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund was announced - we have to accept that our athletes dedicate the better part of their lives to fulfilling their dreams of representing their country be it at Olympics or otherwise. They overcome obstacles and pressure despite significant odds.

The central message  is that giving matters to our athletes.

Fundraising is essential and our athletes can’t do it on their own.

They need them to focus their attention on preparing to compete against the best  in the world.

Share the dream help our athletes achieve their dream .

There is a gap between perception and reality.

The perception that our athletes are well supported and that they make large sums of money or that the government support is enough and anything more is pure greed is furthest from the truth.

What the Athlete welfare fund is attempting to do is a long standing approach in countries  with a culture of philanthropy.

There is a reality and no amount of wishful thinking will change that reality.

We are at a point in Trinidad and Tobago sport where the option of doing nothing and letting false pride stand in the way of the athlete’s best interest is not a credible option.

Multiple revenue streams are necessary if the Olympic movement is to hedge against the volatility of depending on one revenue stream.

Doing nothing or doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is a failed strategy.

The idea behind the 10 Olympic Gold medals by the year 2024 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund is simple- ESTABLISH a fund that is transparent, ethical , accountable, sustainable and dedicated to supporting athletes.

To pledge financial support email; contact@ttoc.org or call 625 1285, Facebook: @trinidadandtobagoolympiccommittee, Twitter : @ttolympic

Brian Lewis

President

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) and Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA)

Editor's Note:  President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), Brian Lewis, has launched a new initiative with the social media handle, #10golds24, designed to give more of the country’s athletes the opportunity to fulfill their potential. He has committed to compete in the Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon on January 25, 2015 to raise awareness for  the #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund and TTD$500,000 (£51,000/$79,000/€65,000).  The Fund's mission is geared towards alleviating financial hardships of  Olympic, Pan Am, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes to enable them to train, recover and compete.