It’s officially here! The 2012 Summer Olympic Games-XXX Olympiad. When you turn on your television, almost every channel will be carrying live coverage of the opening of the largest sporting festival in the world. Hosted in London for the second time—the first was in 1948—the opening ceremony will get going at 2.30pm (T&T and the eastern Caribbean time.) More than 10,000 athletes will participate in various disciplines over the next 17 days (July 27-August 12,) all hoping to win gold, silver or bronze for their respective countries, vying for international pride on the biggest sporting stage in the world. The T&T contingent was originally 52, inclusive of athletes, management and coaches, but has been reduced by one as female track star Josanne Lucas had to return home due to an injury.

Secretary of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis told the T&T Guardian the committee is pleased with the calibre of athletes representing T&T in the six disciplines—track and field, shooting, boxing, swimming, cycling and sailing. "We have done everything possible to ensure that the athletes had good preparation for the games," he said.  Lewis said there is something special about T&T's presence at the Olympics this time around, coming just a few weeks ahead of celebrations of our 50th anniversary of Independence. "In 1948 when the Olympic Games were held in London for the first time, we were under colonial rule. Now we are participating during our golden anniversary as an independent nation. Maybe some good things can happen," said Lewis.

He isn't the only one who thinks T&T's presence in the Summer Olympics is special. T&T’s High Commissioner to London Garvin Nicholas, said Londoners and visitors will see just what we are made of when they visit the T&T Culture Fest in Kilburn at the Tricycle Theatre. The event will be a month long celebration beginning on July 26 and culminating on August 25. Lewis said he was also grateful to the Minister of Sports Anil Roberts and his ministry for the Elite Assistance Programme which financially assists athletes who are world-ranked in individual sports. “I have no fear that our athletes would not do well at the 2012 Olympics. They are well prepared and they should do fantastic.” Lewis said at the Flag Raising Ceremony held at the Olympic Village in London on Monday, T&T was represented by bronze medallist George Bovell and First Citizens Sports Foundation 2010 and 2011 Sportsman of the Year, shooter Roger Daniel. Daniel will represent T&T for the third time at the Olympic Games.

Track and Field Beginning August 3 - 12.
For all the events every country is allowed to have three athletes.
The Men's 100 metres sprint events starts on August 4th and will feature T&T's Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman and Rondell Sorillo.
The 200m round starts on August 7-9; 400m August 4-6; 800m 6-9; Men's 110 Hurdles - August 7-8; Men's 1500m August 3, 5, 7 and the Men's 400 Hurdles - August 3, 4, 6.
The Women's 100m sprint events begin on August 3 and will feature Kelly-ann Baptiste, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kai Selvon and Semoy Hackett.
The 200m round starts on August 6 with finals on August 8.
The Women's 400m - August 3-5; and the Women's 400m Hurdles - August 5, 6, and 8.
The Women's Shot Put- August 6; and the Women's Triple Jump- August 3 and 5.
In boxing T&T's Calos Suarez will compete in the Men's Light Flyweight (46-49kg) which begins on July 31 with finals on August 11. The dates are July 31, August 4,8,10 and 11.
In swimming if George Bovell is victorious in the 100m backstroke which will take place on July 29-31, he will move on to the 100m freestyle heat on July 31- August 1.
Keeping fingers crossed that he is triumphant in the second round, T&T can hope for a medal in the 50m freestyle heat carded for August 2 and 3.
In sailing Andrew Lewis will compete in the Men's Laser category which begins on July 30 with the medal race on August 6.
The days are July 30-31, August 1, 3, 4 and 6.
Roger Daniel, T&T's number one shooter will compete in the Men's 10m Air Pistol on July 28.
If he qualifies to the second round he will compete in the  Men's 50m pistol to be held on August 5.
To cycling, representative Njisane Phillip will compete in the cycling-track category. The days listed are August 4, 5 and 6.


THE CONTINGENT

Athletics
Men: Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Rondel Sorillo, Marc Burns, Renny Quow, Deon Lendore, Wayne Davis II, Mikel Thomas, Jehue Gordon, Keshorn Walcott, Emmanuel Callender, Jamol James, Lalonde Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Machel Cedenio, Ade Alleyne-Forte
Women: Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett, Kai Selvon, Michelle Lee Ahye, Janeil Bellille, Ayanna Alexander, Cleopatra Borel, Reyare Thomas, Sparkle McKnight
Dexter Voisin (manager), Ian Hypolite (head coach)
Edwin Skinner (coach - sprints/hurdles), Gunness Persad
(coach-sprints/hurdles), Ismael Lopez Mastrapa (coach-throws)

Boxing: Carlos Suarez; Reynold Cox (manager/coach), Raulson Dopwell (coach)
Cycling: Njisane Phillip; Peter Maharaj (manager/coach)
Sailing: Andrew Lewis; Kairon Serrette (manager), Fernando Alegre (coach)
Shooting: Roger Daniel; Altansetseg Byambajav ( manager/coach)
Swimming: George Bovell III; George Robert Bovell (manager/coach)
Medical: Chief Medical Officer - Dr. Terry Ali, Medical Officer - Dr. Anyl Gopeesingh, Sports Psychologist - Dr. Margaret Ottley, Massage Therapists - Fitzbert Alleyne, Zephyrinus Nicholas, Ian Sharpe, Oba Gulston, Karielle De Bique


Athletes & Events
Richard Thompson (100m; 4x100m),
Keston Bledman (100m; 4x100m),
Rondell Sorillo (100m; 200m; 4x100m), Mark Burns (100m; 4x100m),
Renny Quow (400m; 4x400m),
Deon Lendore (400m; 4x100m),
Wayne Davis II (110m hurdles),
Jehue Gordon (400m hurdles),
Lalonde Gordon (4x400m),
Emmanuel Callendar (4x100m),
Machel Cedenio (4x400m),
Ade Alleyne-Forte (4x400m),
Semoy Hackett (100m; 200m; 4x100m),
Kai Selvon (100m; 200m; 4x100m),
Michelle-Lee Ahye (100m; 4x100m),
Kelly-Ann Baptiste (100m; 4x100m),
Janeil Bellille (400m hurdles),
Ayanna Alexander (triple jump),
Cleopatra Borel (shot put),
Reyare Thomas (4x100m),
Sparkle Mc Knight (4x100m);
Dexter Voisin (manager),

Boxing
Carlos Suarez (Light Flyweight 46-49kg)
Cycling
Njisane Phillip (sprint, keirin)
Sailing
Andrew Lewis (laser)
Shooting
Roger Daniel (50m pistol, 10m air pistol);
Swimming
George Bovell III (100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle)

-Bobie-lee Dixon

www.guardian.co.tt