Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic cycling hopefuls have been provided with a slight competitive advantage ahead of the 2016 Summer Games since the spanking new 250 metre Siberian spruce track laid at National Cycling Velodrome, Couva, last week, is an almost replica of the sleek surface which will play host to cycling events at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This was revealed by German Ralph Schuermann, architect and engineer of Schuermann Architects, and the man in charge of ensuring the successful laying of the surface at the Couva facility. Schuermann’s organisation has also been selected to construct the competitive track in Brazil for all indoor cycling events next year.

Speaking to the professional builder at the track’s unveiling in Balmain, Couva, yesterday, he indicated that TT nationals should have an extra edge.

“This is our 144th track we have built around the world,” said Schuermann. “In a few weeks time we are going to start to build the Olympic track and we are going to install this in Rio de Janeiro in autumn. It will be pretty similar to this track if you train here, you will definitely have an advantage at the Olympics.”

At the track’s unveiling yesterday, generations of local cyclists were all smiles as over 20 years of promises were finally materialised. Veteran national representatives such as Gene “Geronimo” Samuel, Roger Frontin and Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) president Robert Farrier, along with Olympic rider Njisane Phillip and several other promising national cyclists and enthusiasts were also present at the venue to test the smooth surface for the first time.

Schuermann also indicated that the seats are yet to be installed, air conditions still to be turned on and minor outdoor work to be done, to ensure total completion of now International Cycling Union (UCI) — sanctioned arena.

Schuermann added, “We have already received approval of the UCI for this building and we have the certification for the track. There’s still some minor work to do but the track is completed and as you can see, the cyclists are overjoyed.”

During the visit, national representatives such as Phillip, Keron Bramble, Akil Campbell, Quincy Alexander, Jude Codrington, Justin Roberts and females Kollyn St George, Keiana Lester and Denese Francis all took the opportunity to familiarise themselves on the shiny new track.

Speaking to Minister of Sport Brent Sancho at the venue, he gave credit to the works of the main contractor Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), the Government and all other associates for a job well done.

“History has been made in Trinidad and Tobago in the sport of cycling and history will continue to be made with the swimming and tennis facilities on the way as well — both have been coming along nicely.

“We have now put ourselves on the sporting world map and will now be known to have the best cycling arena in the Western Hemisphere. This is also great for sport tourism and we anticipate this location being a number one destination for foreign cyclists,” said Sancho.

TTCF boss, Farrier, also revealed that the cycling fraternity is presently working on a plan to ensure that this facility is fully utilised. These plans, he revealed, will be rolled out in due course since discussions are still underway with the newly appointed Sport Minister.

Although unconfirmed, the local cycling family is expected to host its first professional race in mid-May when TT’s elite and junior riders gear up for this year’s edition of the National Cycling Championships. However, the official opening is scheduled to take place when TT host the inaugural UCI-sanctioned “Grand Prix of Balmain”.

Originally, the scheduled date was listed as June 12-14 but due to minor delays, this date has been pushed back to ensure smooth operations on opening night. The official opening date is yet to be released.

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The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) as part of its new strategic marketing and brand management plan, is adopting an entrepreneurial, vibrant and dynamic market driven, new business development approach to revenue generation for its programmes and projects. This includes the strategic vision to achieve 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by the year 2024. In an effort to support this marketing plan and vision, the TTOC has set up an in house marketing department that will handle the TTOC marketing, branding, new business and commercial development, merchandising and licensing programme.

The mandate of the TTOC marketing department is to break down barriers with new ideas and approaches.  “As an organization we must always strive to celebrate and embrace disruptive thinking and challenge conventional wisdom,” said TTOC President Brian Lewis. “This department will drive the TTOC's business and commercial agenda, growth and value strategy. We are at a critical juncture, and it is of even greater importance for us to achieve financial independence and strength for the TTOC while at the same time maintaining the TTOC's identity and not compromising its core Olympic values and ideals.”

For the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the TTOC will be putting in place the required legal checks and balances to protect its Olympic Franchise, including the TTOC, the Trinidad and Tobago(TTO ) Olympic Team and the legitimate TTOC Olympic sponsors and partners from opportunistic marketing and ambushers. This effort comes as no surprise as sporting organizations including the TTOC move to protect their bottom lines.

President Lewis in highlighting the issue stressed that the TTOC, has to ensure that cash flows into, not out of its coffers so that the organization can support not only athletes, but key projects and programmes that aim to develop sport in Trinidad and Tobago.

“It’s one thing to understand what your brand stands for but it matters not unless you protect your brand. Defending your rights and what you stand for is central to what the Olympic movement is all about. Ambush marketing is not a game. It’s a serious issue that can undermine the TTOC's efforts to fund its 10 Gold medals by the year 2024 Athlete Welfare and Preparation programme and other programmes such as women in sport and sport for all.”

The Olympic Games is the world's most valuable and important franchise. As the largest sporting event in the world it provides companies with a marketing opportunity unlike any other. Moreover as a corporate marketing and promotional platform the five Olympic rings is considered one of the world's most iconic, recognizable and valuable brand.

Exclusivity is a cornerstone of the Olympic Movement's marketing programmes. The IOC and National Olympic Committees provides partners with one of the highest levels of protection of any major sports property. In keeping with this, the TTOC as brand stewards will take all necessary advertising and legal measures to educate the public on who the TTOC and TTO Olympic Team sponsors are. It will also take steps to protect its right and those of its partners. Lewis further stated that “We have to protect our sponsors and partners promotional rights. We will not be turning a blind eye. At this time we want to assure our sponsors and partners that our Olympic team will be protected by the TTOC. At the TTOC we have a duty, obligation and responsibility to develop and use the Olympic brand to its full potential. It’s something we take quite seriously, and our in house marketing department will form a key part of this.”

Sport is played according to rules and the Olympic Movement was founded on a clear set of values and ethics. Under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Charter, the TTOC has sole and exclusive authority for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Team, Olympic Movement and Olympic Franchise in the jurisdiction of Trinidad and Tobago.

Medals for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan American Games have been unveiled at a ceremony held at the Royal Ontario Museum in the Canadian city today.

Organisers claim the medals reflect the "rich story of the People's Games", with a layered design expressing the values of inclusion and diversity, while also encompassing the Aboriginal traditions of welcoming guests and cherishing natural world beauty.

Mark Tewksbury, who won gold for Canada at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, hosted the ceremony and the former swimmer argued how the "Toronto 2015 medals are pieces of art in their own right and reflect all the hard work, dedication and difficult journey athletes will take to wear one around their neck and cherish for life".

The metals were sourced by the Barrick Gold Corporation before being designed and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, who for the first time in medals history applied the ancient technique of mokume gane, the fusing of different alloys, in order to produce the medals.

They believe that the technique reflects the coming together of athletes to compete in the Games under the motto "United We Play".

Additionally braille also features on the medals to reflect Toronto 2015's commitment to diversity, which will be the first time it has featured on both the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games medals.

"Royal Canadian Mint employees have come together with pride to produce one-of-a-kind medals which truly symbolise the years of training and effort put forth by the remarkable athletes who will compete at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games this summer," said Sandra Hanington, President and chief executive officer of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Pan Am Games are set to take place from July 10 to 26, with the Parapan Am Games due to follow from August 7 to 15, with 4,283 medals in total up for grabs across the competitions.

"When an athlete has a medal hung around their neck, it is a beginning not the end," added Elisabeth Walker-Young, Team Canada's Chef de Mission for the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

"The medals that are given out at the Games will hold pride of place in homes, hearts and memories throughout the Americans for decades to come.

"Through the design of the medal, the unity and joy of the Games live on."

With the countdown continuing until the Games, the competition medals will be on temporary exhibition at the Royal Ontario museum from March 14 to 29 and will be available for public viewing at the Royal Canadian Mint pavilion at CIBC Pan Am Park, during the Games.

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Track cycling will not be part of the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time for nearly a century if Durban's bid to host the event in 2022 is successful.

Track cycling is an optional sport of the Commonwealth Games but has featured in every edition from 1934, when track events were held in Manchester, despite the Games being held in London, with the event then still officially known as the Empire Games.

It follows the launch of the South African city's official bid for the Games at Mansion House in London, with track cycling a notable omission from the Bid Book submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

With Durban not having an existing velodrome the potential costs involved in building the venue appear to be the main reason behind track cycling's omission.

It comes less than a year after the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome was one of the main attractions of Glasgow 2014.

Cycling has been one of the more successful sports for both Australia and England in previous editions, the two best achieving nations in the history of the Games.

Road cycling and mountain biking remain on the proposed programme of events for Durban 2022, with mountain biking set to be the event furthest from the host city, 80 kilometres away in Pietermaritzburg on the course on which the 2013 World Championships were held.  

Also missing from the proposed schedule of sports is full-bore shooting a traditional event of the Commonwealth Games and has featured in every edition since its introduction at Kingston 1966.

At this stage no plans appear to be listed for a venue for gymnastics, while despite South African being a foremost cricketing nation, the sport will not feature in 2022.

The CGF have long campaigned for the sport to be a regular part of the Games but, apart from Kuala Lumpur in 1998, the sport has not featured, mainly due to opposition from India and England.

Prince Imran of Malaysia, President of the CGF, revealed they might begin to look towards the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) new model of focusing on events rather than sports.

"We in the [Commonwealth Games] Federation have got to be more flexible as we go forward and I do not think we need to be stuck on 'X number' of sports," he said.
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"You look at what the IOC has put forward, the total numbers and you look at the events, then maybe you can then accommodate more sports."

At the moment, the Commonwealth Games programme consists of 10 core sports - athletics, badminton, men's boxing, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, men's rugby sevens, squash, swimming and weightlifting - with each host selecting up to seven others of their choice.

Potential changes to this system are likely to be confirmed at September's CGF General Assembly in Auckland.

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The Trinidad International Marathon Walk on Sunday 25 January 2015 is only the beginning of sustained efforts by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee( TTOC) to raise funding for (10 or more Olympic Gold Medals by the year 2024) #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation  .

#10golds24 will require a sustained and ongoing national fund raising effort.

#10golds24 is the vision behind the dream that Trinidad and Tobago(TTO) can produce Olympic Champions on a sustained , systemic and planned basis.

An Olympic Gold medal  must no longer be perceived as a happy accident or in spite of or lack of a national sport system.

It requires system strategy and structure in respect of talent identification , development, retention and performance management.

TTO athletes have carried the burden and endured the financial hardships for too long. They need support during the journey not when they win an Olympic  medal.

As a nation we must be confident in the belief and vision that Trinidad and Tobago can produce 10 or more Olympic Champions by 2024.

We have a rich and cherished Olympic history and tradition since first being accepted by the International Olympic Committee( IOC) in 1948.

#10golds24 seeks to clarify the development pathway and performance management system  that will holistically  foster, mentor, nurture and develop Olympians and Olympic Champions.

At the centre of #10golds24 are the athletes who can be positive role models for the children, youth and young people  of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) is encouraging  the public to continue to rally around #10golds24 and our athletes and make their donations  at any Scotia Bank Branch  Account number  171188.

Or by cheque made payable to TTOC. Which can be dropped off or posted to TTOC Olympic House 121 Abrecromby Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.