President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), Brian Lewis, is calling on national sporting organisations (NSOs) to rally behind their Olympic hopeful athletes in an effort to bolster their chances of securing Olympic qualification.
“With just about 75 days to go to the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, national sport organisations with athletes contesting for Olympic berths have a responsibility to support their athletes.
It is important for team sports in particular as the established Olympic sports such as athletics, swimming and cycling are timed sports and the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme Policy Guideline is clear and unambiguous.” Excluding the aforementioned sporting disciplines, the TT men and women beach volleyball teams and the women’s rugby 7s teams are still battling for Olympic berths.
According to Lewis: “To suggest at this point who may or may not have a realistic chance to make it to Rio as a basis for determining support, is not in keeping with the Letter and Spirit of the Olympic Charter, Olympic Values and the Olympic qualification process.” He indicated to NSO’s that if the International Federation and International Olympic Committee (IOC) qualification process is still alive and ongoing, that they have a duty, responsibility and obligation to provide support.