LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS REVIEW

London 2012 Olympic Games will long be remembered for its spectacular Opening Ceremony, exceptional talents displayed by our competing athletes, even the tears shed by athletes and fans, but above all, the Games will be remembered for one of the greatest achievements in Olympic History; the first time that every participating country sent female athletes to the Games. Among this history making moment were three countries sending athletes for the first time to the Olympics; Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei. This development did not go unnoticed by IOC president, Dr. Jacques Rogge, who expressed delight and acknowledged that the participation of athletes from such countries where women do not have equal access to sports had been a very important one. “It opened the door for more and definitely it was a very strong signal,” he reasoned. Antigua and Barbuda’s team fielded two females, one in Athletics and one in Swimming.

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NOC PRESIDENT SPEAKS Dear Reader, Now that the 2012 Summer Olympic Games are over, I feel compelled to publicly register my thanks and appreciation to those who made our nation’s participation a reality and a success. First, words are not enough to express my thanks and abiding appreciation to Mr. Cliff Williams,

Secretary General of the NOC, my Board of Directors and staff who worked tirelessly, going beyond the call of duty to ensure that we complied with all IOC registration and other requirements and providing

support to our national associations in preparing scores of national athletes for the Games. It was a delight to preside over a group of dedicated volunteers committed to national service. To our athletes, Daniel, Brendon, Afia and Karin, you made us proud. You wore the national colors with great pride as you represented Antigua and Barbuda among the the world’s greatest athletes and proved our competitive ability.

To our young Swimmer Orel Jeffrey who could not make it to the Games due to injury, I commend your commitment and commit to continued support of your Olympic dream.

To those other athletes who failed to qualify, Emily Ward, James Grayman, Joel Kirby, Damian Davidson, Patrome Collins, Tamiko Butler and Jyme Bridges, I take this opportunity to commend your efforts and urge you to keep you individual focus on

Rio, 2016. You can make it with just that bit more effort.

To the Chef de Mission, Neville Fenton and his assistant, Cordell Williams thanks for a job well done. You discharged your duties with consummate ease and are deserving of highest commendations.

Thanks to the athletics coach/manager, Calvin Greenaway, and swimming coach/ chaperone, Edith Clashing. To our Media personnel; a first for Antigua and Barbuda at the Olympics, Joel Rayne kept Antiguans and Barbudans fully informed about the progress of our athletes and activities of Team Antigua and Barbuda throughout the Games, while Dr. Benjamin our

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appointed team Doctor provided invaluable medical services to our athletes.

Special mention must be made of the global Sports goods manufacturer, PUMA who provided uniforms for Team Antigua and Barbuda and who by doing so became our first ever official uniform sponsor. Negotiations are ongoing to renew the Olympics agreement into the 2016 Games. Honorable mention is also in order for Mr. Pascal Rolling and Amir Hourani who also designed and built additional uniforms for the national team. I also recognize and say thanks to the Minister of Sport in the government of the Republic of Venezuela, Héctor Rodríguez Castro who provided equipment support to our national team. The end of the Games sets the stage for the start of a new quadrennial and the cyclical planning for the next Olympics including athletes’ selection and preparation, participation in Games like the Commonwealth, CAC and Pan American and a sleuth of championships. At the NOC we look forward to an exciting and bright period leading up to the 2016 Games in Brazil and encourage our member associations to start planning early for success. Regards, Senator the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene President Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Association

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BRENDON CHRISTIAN

Brendan Christian, Antigua and Barbuda’s 200m specialist, despite facing some very challenging times, was eager to step onto the track at the London 2012 Olympics, with a goal to reach the finals. “I’m feeling good and my training has been going very well, and although I picked up a slight injury last week, it should not affect my performance on the track. Everyone wants to win but I will be taking it one day at a time. Unlike the Beijing Olympics, where we had four rounds of qualifying, this time around it is down to three.” Brendan said.

Brendon, recovering from influenza, once on the world stage, gave it his all to place 4th in the Men’s 200m Round 1, Heat 6, with a time of 20.63 seconds. In the semi-finals, Brendon was able to improve on his time finishing with 20.58 seconds, placing him 5th in his heat. However, this was not sufficient to gain him a spot in the finals.

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DANIEL “BAKKA” BAILEY

Daniel “Bakka” Bailey, Antigua and Barbuda’s National record holder in the 100m, formed a part of the four members of the 2012 Olympic Team. Bakka, the Nation’s flag bearer was in good spirits and was proud to represent his country at the games. His main focus and training going into the games was geared at reaching the finals before thinking about medals. Bakka placed second in the fourth

heat with a time of 10.12 seconds. In the semi-finals, Daniel failed to qualify in the finals, as he placed 6th in the second heat with the time of 10.16 seconds.

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AFIA CHARLES

Afia, the only female representing Antigua and Barbuda in the sport of athletics at the London 2012 Olympic Games was awarded a spot on the team through the non-qualified process. She specializes in the 400m. Afia’s was very excited when she received official confirmation to participate in the games. For Charles, it was never about winning the gold, but about gaining experience on the Olympic stage in preparation for 2016 in Brazil.

KARIN CLASHING O’REILLY

Twenty year old Karin Clashing was selected to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games through the University place quota, determined by the FINA points table. Karin had three goals in mind whilst entering the 50 metres freestyle qualifying round on Friday, August 3rd, 2012: to win her heat, to set a personal best time and to qualify for the semi-finals. However, she only achieved two thirds of her objectives. She won her heat and achieved her personal best time of 30.01 seconds. This was not enough to land her a spot in the semi-finals. She placed 55th from 73 swimmers. Clashing was ecstatic to have been included in the

Antigua and Barbuda 2012 Olympic Team and will continue her training as she journeys on to the

United States to further her education.

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PICTURE MOMENTS IN LONDON

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The Team S. Lucia’s PM, Kenny Anthony

and Cliff Williams (Right)

TEAM ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Hon. John Maginley, President

Greene and 1st V.P. Mr. Wilbur

Harrigan

ABOA Executives alongside His

Excellency Dr Carl B.W. Roberts

(Far Left)

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President Greene presenting Hon. John

Maginley (Min. of Tourism) with a

PUMA Bag

Hon. Harold Lovell and Cliff Williams

The Team

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Yohan Blake (Left) and

Senator Greene (Right) Joel Rayne

Antigua’s Shining Athletes alongside His Excellency Dr Carl B.W. Roberts

HEATHER SAMUEL SELECTED AS PEER MENTOR

Congratulations Heather on your selection as Peer Mentor for the 2012 – 2013 International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP)!

The invitation is extended to one participant

from the previous year’s ICECP program and is based on that individual’s performance, the quality of the ICECP project, and the potential to make a positive impact on the current ICECP class participants, all of which are attributes of Antigua’s Heather Samuel. “Heather, you were a role model participant last year in every way and we feel you will have a positive impact on this year’s participants.” as quoted from the invitation letter to Heather,

by Dr. Matthew J. Robinson, Director, ICE University of Delaware.

During her role as peer mentor, she will be required to make presentations on her experience and incorporate these into her coaching responsibilities. She will also be

required to make comments at the opening ceremony of the program and participate in an informal question and answer session with the participants. Dr. Robinson said, “I know the participants will benefit greatly from Heather’s experience and insights.”

The dates of her participation will be from September 22nd to September 25th. The ICECP will cover all of her travel and accommodation expenses to attend the program.

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ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (ABPC) The ABOA provided financial support to

the three-member delegation participating in the London 2012 Paralympic Games

which officially opened on August 29th and will end on September 9th. The delegation

comprises of Chef de Mission, Nigel Pigott, 1st Vice President of the ABPC, Jamol

Pilgrim; 100m –T42 athlete and overseas based coach, David Balsey. President,

Senator the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene will represent the ABOA in recognition of the historic event for Antigua and Barbuda.

SPORTS RESEARCHER VISITS ANTIGUA

Dr. Natalie Darko, a Senior Lecturer of Sport and Leisure at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in the United Kingdom is presently on island conducting a research

project that focuses on examining Sports participation and provisions in Antigua and Barbuda. Athletes, coaches, Sports Administrators and the Minister of Sports, have been recruited to take part in completing a questionnaire and/or interview about their sport participation levels, involvement in sports and perceptions of current

provisions. The data collected will be utilized for development and dissemination of academic journal and articles.

Dr. Darko’s accommodation is being financed by the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Association and she is working out of the National Olympic Committee Secretariat.

The Ministry of Sports has assigned a vehicle and a driver for her convenience during her visit.

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FINANCIAL UPDATES

Athletics – Financial Assistance towards team’s participation in the World (ABAAA) Juniors Championships and training camp – Barcelona, Spain.

Basketball – Airline ticket and all inclusive accommodation expenses for

(ABABA) Technical Director, Michael Marquis’ visit to Antigua.

Netball – Airline tickets for team travel to Grenada to participate in the

(ABNA) OECS ECCB U-23 Championships.

Tennis – Financial assistance towards the Junior Summer Tour JITIC and

(ABTA) U-13 Caribbean Development Championships.

Airline ticket provided for Antigua and Barbuda’s volunteer Doping Control officer for the Paralympic Games.

Sponsorship towards athlete’s participation in the 14th Biennial Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Student Track and Field Championships held in

Jamaica.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 3115 Redcliffe St.

St. John’s, Antigua W.I. Phone: (268) 462-3476 Phone: (268) 460-5962

Fax: (268) 462-4811 E-mail: aboa@apuainet.ag

www.facebook.com/ABNOC www.antiguaolympiccommittee.com

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