THE NATIONAL Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) is considering approaching the Ministry of Health to ascertain whether they can host a trial event for a small group of locally-based athletes within reach of achieving their respective Olympic qualification standards.
Initially, the NAAA was scheduled to host its annual junior and senior National Track and Field Championships on June 5-6 and June 25-27 respectively. Owing to the pandemic, these meets – particularly the senior Champs (which serve as a final shot for potential Olympians to secure qualification) – were cancelled.
With the recent government-implemented state of emergency (SoE) and fluctuating global travel restrictions, this means, for the handful of TT-based track and field athletes nearing qualification, their chances of securing a spot at the Tokyo Games have now been immensely reduced.
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) deadline for athletes attempting to secure Tokyo qualification is June 29.
NAAA president George Commissiong believes the health and safety of TT’s athletes remains top priority. However, he thinks there is a possibility these athletes can do individual trial events under the existing covid19 regulations, once approved by the Health Ministry.
Commissiong said, “The new situation, and I don’t know if we’re being a little premature, is one that needs some further thought. There are a few people who are close to qualification and at this stage I don’t know what consideration may be given to the hosting of something more like a trial event as opposed to nationals.
[caption id="attachment_890232" align="alignnone" width="600"] George Commissiong -[/caption]
“Whether or not consideration will be given to hosting a ‘trial’ with selected events for persons who may be close to qualification is up to the authorities. But that is still something that requires some thought and certainly collaboration with the Ministry of Health. A championship at this time makes no sense. It’s too much risk,” said the NAAA president.
The majority of TT’s Tokyo-bound track and field stars, such as two-time Olympic medallist Kehsorn Walcott, sprinter Jereem Richards and long jumper Tyra Gittens, are already abroad and continuing preparations ahead of the July 23 to August 8 Games.
Besides the few track and field athletes still hoping to secure qualification, national boxer Nigel Paul and UK-based judoka Gabriella Wood also await word from their respective international sporting governing bodies on their chances of qualifying.
On Thursday, national middleweight boxer Aaron Prince secured his Olympic berth because of his fourth place rank on the Pan American boxing ratings. His selection came after the Argentina Olympic qualifiers were cancelled and, luckily for him, three boxers exited the division, propelling him from seventh and into the top four.
For those athletes still in TT seeking qualification standards for major international competition, their training can continue at national sporting facilities.
This was co
