As has been the case for the last two editions of the Olympic Games, track and field, and in particular the sprinters, represent this country’s main chance of a medal at the upcoming London Olympics. Richard Thompson heads a field of 16 men, and having collected silver in Beijing four years ago and despite the likes of Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake around, he is expected to once again be on the podium in the men’s 100m. He is also part of a very strong looking 4 by 100m relay team. Another great medal prospect is Keston Bledman. Having beaten Thompson at the recent national championships in Port-of-Spain, Bledman has raised expectations about his chances of copping a medal in the 100m, and has pushed Jamaican Yohan Blake in recent events. His consistent finishes could yet see him deliver on his promise to be on the podium in London.

Marc Burns is also in the 100m field and he is part of a strong 4x100m relay team, as is Emmanuel Callender and Jamol James, while Rondell Sorrillo takes part in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay. Young Deon Lendore is also part of the 4x1 team, however he will have the 400m as his main focus in London. The 400 will see Renny Quow among the top contenders in this field, while he is part of another strong looking 4x4 relay team that includes Lalonde Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Machel Cedenio and Ade Alleyne-Forte, who, as they showed in the National Championships, are a formidable bunch. On the women’s side, much of the burden rests on Kelly-Ann Baptiste. The T&T sprint queen wants to make the 100m title her own but American Carmelita Jeter, along with a trio of Jamaicans will have something to say about that. Semoy Hackett in the 100, 200 and 4x100, along with Kai Selvon, Michelle Lee-Ahye, Sparkle Mc Knight and Reyare Thomas, could cause an upset in the 200m as well as the relays. President of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA), Ephraim Serrette, insists that this Olympics could see a local female on the podium.