The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has launched a long-term athlete development programme as part of its “#10golds2024” initiative.

The programme will target the country’s national sporting organisations in a bid to help them with their learning and training in order to work towards the TTOC’s goal of winning 10 Olympic gold medals by 2024.

It will also be mainly aimed at youngsters, aged nine to 16, who may be identified as future Olympians.

The scheme has been developed along with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees and the Bahamas, Suriname, Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands.

“We feel proud that we can be the leaders in the Caribbean on this project,” TTOC secretary general Annette Knott said.

“But of course it is a programme that involves everybody and we look forward to letting the public and the most important stakeholders know that long term athlete development is the only way to have sustained level of athlete performance.”

The TTOC has also launched an in-house marketing department which will look after several aspects within the organisation including branding, new business and commercial development.

It will be tasked with coming up with new ideas and approaches to support the vision of the “#10golds2024” programme.

“This department will drive the TTOC’s business and commercial agenda, growth and value strategy,” TTOC President Brian Lewis said.

“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.

“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.”

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