What an amazing weekend of Olympic action! The track and field competition began on Friday and the events came thick and fast on Saturday and Sunday. We also saw the start of the men’s cycling sprint or ‘Flying 200′ as it is popularly known. Trinidad and Tobago athletes excelled in these two sporting disciplines and three of them are in contention for medals tomorrow. Jehue Gordon and Lalonde Gordon have both qualified for the final of the 400 metre hurdles and 400 metre races respectively. Young cyclist Njisane Phillip has made it to the semi-finals of the Flying 200 in impressive fashion. Lets take a look at our heroes’ performances.
Kelly-Ann Baptiste
Kelly-Ann made it to the women’s 100 metre final and placed sixth in a time of 10.94. Her personal best is 10.84 and her season best is 10.86. Kelly-Ann made a great start and was out of the blocks well but after 60 metres she was passed by most of the field. When interviewed after the race she indicated that she was proud to make the final but a bit disappointed in her placing and aware that she could have done better. All the same, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are proud of her being the first woman from the twin island republic to get to a sprint final at the Olympic Games. Kelly-Ann has suffered with achilles trouble during the season and did not race as much as she would have liked. Congratulations to the winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who defended her Olympic title with a blistering 10.75 clocking. Silver went to American Carmelita Jeter in 10.78 and bronze to veteran Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown who was timed in 10.81.
Richard ‘Torpedo’ Thompson
Richard Thompson exceeded the expectations of many by getting to the men’s 100 metre final today. He has had a quiet season by previous standards and has not been the same sprinter since a car accident some years ago. ‘Torpedo’ finished down the field in 7th spot in 9.98 seconds. After the race he spoke about the tough season he had and how grateful he was to come out of it in a healthy state. He did indicate disappointment in his placing even though he realised it would have been difficult to medal. Thompson ran his heart out but just did not have a good finish to challenge the top sprinters. He must be given credit for becoming the third Trinidad and Tobago male to compete in two consecutive Olympic sprint finals. Ace Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt confirmed his greatness with a magnificent victory in 9.63 seconds, a new Olympic record. He shattered the old Olympic record set by himself four years ago in Beijing which was 9.69. The silver medal went to Bolt’s impressive training partner and World Champion Yohan Blake who clocked a personal best 9.75. American Justin Gatlin gathered bronze with a 9.79 run.
MEDAL HOPEFULS
THE GORDONS
Jehue Gordon
Jehue Gordon ran an amazing semi final in a new national record of 47.96 to finish second, shatter the form book and gain a place in tomorrow’s 400 metre hurdles final. Jehue beat some ‘big guns’ like World Champ Dai Greene and Trinidad born American runner Kerron Clement. He powered home after the 200 metre mark and finished behind veteran Felix Sanchez the 2004 Olympic champion. The final includes some big names like American Angelo Taylor and Puerto Rican Javier Culson. Jehue however is running without fear and with confidence. Some may have forgotten, but this young man stunned the world in the 2009 World Championships where he finished fourth and was barely 17 years old! He was then earmarked for future greatness and his success at these Games should come as no surprise…….. Do not be surprised if he gains a medal tomorrow!
Lalonde Gordon
Now this was the shocker for local fans and fans worldwide. 23 year old quarter miler Lalonde Gordon today stunned the world when winning Heat one in the fastest qualifying time of 44.58. This time was a personal best for him and his win was quite comfortable. Lalonde looked in total control coming off the final bend and gave the impression that he had a lot of ‘gas left in the tank’. He was certainly not mentioned as a favourite for this event but is clearly in contention for a medal tomorrow. Grenadian World Champ Kirani James and the Borlee brothers from Belgium will be favoured for medals tomorrow. It is interesting to note that Jonathan Borlee beat Kirani James into second at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco a week before the Olympics. Could Lalonde be the surprise medallist for Trinidad and Tobago? Time will tell but my gut feeling is that he will shock the world tomorrow.
Njisane Phillip
Njisane Phillip has left an indelible mark on the cycling competition at the London Olympic Games. He has qualified for the semi finals of the Men’s sprint and will oppose hometown rider Jason Kenny. Njisane beat Kiwi rider Edward Dawkins, German Robert Forstemann and Russian Denis Dmitriev to get to the semi finals. Njisane has taken the cycling world by surprise and the fans and commentators at the velodrome have warmed to him and he is now a fan favourite. Clearly Phillip has had no regard for ‘big names’ and ‘reputations’ and has performed fearlessly. Njisane was the slowest qualifier out of the four semi finalists however and it will be an uphill task for the young man to medal. Either way he has already won the hearts of his countrymen and at the tender age of 21 to reach the last four of the Olympics is an achievement. He probably has two more Olympic Games ahead of him and is a great cyclist in the making.
TOMORROW IS RED MEDAL MONDAY!!! GO T&T!
RIBSPORT 