Jul.22.2010
Bovell Retains CAC Title,Daniel claims Bronze
Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Michael Romany has lauded George Bovell 111 following the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist 50 metres freestyle triumph at the 21st Central American and Caribbean( CAC) Games in Mayaguez,Puerto Rico .
Bovell swam to a new Games record( 22.23) last night to successfully defend the title he won four years ago in Colombia.The three time Olympian then returned a short time later to lead T&T to a silver medal in the men's 4 x 100 meters freestyle relay with team mates Caryle Blondell,Joshua McLeod and Jarryd Gregoire.
" George is a young man with tremendous dignity,integrity,courage and class. He has the heart of a champion and warrior. He is a true patriot.On Sunday,his birthday, he just missed a medal finishing fourth in the 100 meters freestyle.To put aside that disappointment and the negativity that would have followed showed the merit and character of the individual. There is no quit in him. He has an indomitable will and spirit." said Romany
Romany also pointed that there is a lot at stake for the athletes and teams competing at the CAC Games as a requirement for selection for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi scheduled for October this year ,aside from fitness, is a CAC medal. In addition the TTOC policy is that consideration for Olympic selection includes participation at CAC,Pan Am and Commonwealth Games.
" George is one of this country's world level athletes who the public should not take for granted. He is an inspiration to the young people of the nation.His performances at Games is always a boost for the morale of the entire delegation not only the swimming team. He is a positive role model"
Defence Force Corporal, Roger Daniel ( 634.3) repeated his bronze medal performance of four years ago when he won a bronze medal in the men's 50 metres pistol final.Daniel whose selection for the Games was under a cloud due to a loss of form and work related issues. Justified his selection and showed that he still has the talent and potential to achieve at the highest level of his sport once he is mentally focused. In the final round of eight shooters Rhodney Allen finished in sixth spot with a tally of 627.7.
With three medals won yesterday T&T's medal tally is now five ( one gold,one silver and three bronze).
Today, T&T will be hunting another gold medal this time in Squash. The pair of Colin Ramsara and Kerrie Sample will be going after top honours in the mixed doubles at the Cancha de Vidrio, in Bogota,Colombia.
Ramsara and Sample followed up their Tuesday night quarter final upset of 2006 CAC silver medalist,Barbadians ,Shawn Simpson and Karen Meakins by defeating Jamaica's Bruce Borrowes and Lauren Mahfood 11-8,8-11, 11-5 in their semi-final yesterday.
T&T's senior women's volleyball team created a sensation when they whipped CAC Games powerhouse Mexico 20-25,25-21,25-22,25-20 in their quarter-final last night to advance to a semi -final encounter with host Puerto Rico.