PRESIDENT Anthony Carmona urged special acclaim for the Scarlet Ibis and the country’s top athletes, all of which are national symbols, in his Independence Day message yesterday. He also emphasised that this nation’s diversity is its strength.

As tiny a nation that T&T is, has stamped its class at the Olympics.

Today, T&T turns 55 years and over those decades and more, our athletes have represented this country with pride at the international multi-sport event that is hosted by a different city every four years, an occasion that all athletes look forward to and cherish.

A new system will be put in place to reward Tobago athletes for outstanding performances.

This was announced by the Tobago House of Assembly's Secretary of Sport and Youth Affairs Jomo Pitt.

The Rwanda Olympic Committee and the IOC hosted the Advancing Women in Leadership Forum for Africa-Asia on 9-11 August which attracted participants from NOCs across the two continents to discuss ways in which gender equality can be promoted within the Olympic Movement.

Olympic basketball player Kady Kanoute Tounkara urges more women in sport to seek leadership roles

Well wishes are still pouring in for the 4 x400 metre athletes following yesterday's convincing win at the IAAF Championships in London. One influential voice in sport not only sent his congratulations, but called on the public to do their part as well. Nneka Parsanlal has more.