Boldon hits out against state of track & field in T&T

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Legendary sprinter and world-renowned broadcaster Ato Boldon has issued a scathing assessment of the state of track and field in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), declaring he has “never seen it this bad” and laying the blame squarely at the feet of the sport’s governing body.

Boldon, who won T&T’s first-ever World Championship gold medal in the 200 metres in Athens 1997, made his powerful comments during an appearance on the iSports Saturday programme with Andre Errol Baptiste on i95.5FM.

The Olympic medallist did not mince words, stating that the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror if the sport is to be saved from its current decline.

He pointed to a stark fall from grace, noting the nation has gone from regular podium finishes to “almost a decade of nothing” under the current administration.

“The NAAA needs a national policy that will help to get the nation’s track and field back on track,” Boldon asserted.

He expressed no surprise that the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) had recently ended its sponsorship deal with the NAAA, citing the dismal performance on the world stage as a clear reason for the withdrawal.

The four-time Olympic medallist saved particular criticism for the relay programmes, once a proud source of national pride and medals. “T&T women’s relays are completely irrelevant and men’s relays non-existent,” he stated bluntly.

Contrasting T&T’s current struggles with the success of other nations, Boldon highlighted a critical lack of preparation and cohesion.

“Other countries have cohesion among four, five, six or seven athletes, and, for them, it’s a question of plug and play. We got away with doing it the old way for years during the Richard Thompson and Mark Burns era, when the relays were at their peak. But those days are over.”

In a vivid analogy that underscored how far behind T&T has fallen, Boldon added, “It’s now like we are trying to run a 100-metre dash or play basketball in Converse or Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers.”

However, his message was not solely one of criticism. Boldon, who has become one of the most respected voices in international track and field broadcasting, offered a glimmer of hope.

He confirmed that, if the NAAA demonstrates a genuine commitment to change, he would seriously consider an offer to return and lend his expertise to help rebuild the sport.

“If things change,” Boldon said, “I will consider giving my services to the association to help rebuild track and field in Trinidad.”

Trinidad and Tobago ended the just-concluded World Championships with two medals, after Keshorn Walcott took gold in the men’s javelin and Jereem Richards won silver in the 400m.