Lewis calls for support and momentum for London Olympics

by Michael Bascombe

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, August 31, 2011 – Grenada’s top triple jumper Randy Lewis wants sustained momentum going into next year’s Olympic Games in London.

Lewis, who was commenting on the performance of world 400m champion Kirani James, believes the focus should shift to support for the athletes at the London Games.

“I think this is something that we should carry with us all the way to next year’s Olympic Games. This burning desire, said Lewis.

“A lot of people are supporting us whether we want to believe it or not, said Lewis who abandoned his 2011 season due to injury.

Lewis, who has a personal best of 17.49m, had to withdraw from the Grenada team after he was diagnosed with tendinitis, an injury common to jumpers.

“It was unfortunate but I can’t do anything about it right now. After the indoor season I was jumping 17 metres and more in training,” he said.

“I tried to compete but I was advised to rest the injury so I made the decision to end the season and treat, recover and prepare for next year,” said Lewis.

However, following his recovery Lewis is expected to participate in some indoor meets as he prepares for the summer season.
Click here to listen to audio interview with Randy Lewis

Francique: Let’s celebrate our victory

Alleyne Francique winning the 400m final 

at the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championship, 

in Moscow, Russia.

(March 11, 2006 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport)

by Michael Bascombe

COLLEGE POINT, Texas, August 31, 2001 – Former two-time World Indoor 400m champion, Grenadian Alleyne Francique says his countrymen have many reasons to celebrate Tuesday’s momentous victory by Kirani James in the men’s 400m at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea.

Francique, who secured Grenada’s first major track and field gold when he won the 400m at the 10^th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Budapest in 2004 and successfully defended his title two years later in Moscow, said Kirani’s victory should be cherished by all Grenadians.

“It was a great feeling to be a Grenadian and watching two Grenadians in the final, more than the USA and Jamaica. Looking at that made me feel proud,” he said.

He said that to make a world championship final is very difficult and especially at a young age.

The former Grenadian quarter-miler wants the athletes to be inspired every time they take to the track.

“Every time you run you try to do better, find inspiration into what you are doing and try to build on what you accomplished this year, said Francique, who is an assistant coach at Texas A&M University.

He also said that Janelle Redhead, who competes in the women’s 200m should use the exploits of Kirani and Rondell as an inspiration.

Commenting on their decisions to turn professionals, Francique said that they must now consider this to be their jobs and treat it that way.

“This is now your job and remember the higher you finish the more money you make, he said. “You have to keep your body right, stay healthy and stay focused. It’s like waking up and going to the office to work.”

Francique expressed disappointment that some people are making an issue over the non-appearance of the national flag following Kirani’s victory on Tuesday.

He said that too much emphasis is being placed on the flag and not on the historic moment.

“I am bit disappointed because they will raise the flag when they are playing the national anthem. When you are in a major championship and someone wins a medal it doesn’t necessarily means that the coaches are giving them the flag sometimes they have family members or even spectators, he explained.

“I think it’s kind of frustrating because we just created history and we have set of talk shows and people on television and they only talking one minute about the race and the gold medal and most of the time about the flag, the flag. I don’t think we should put much emphasis into this flag”. 


Click here to listen to audio interview with Alleyne Francique

Supporting the pursuit of greater educational achievements

St. George’s, August 30, 2011 – The two have enjoyed some measure of academic success but thirst for more.

Blossom De Gale, a graduate of the St. George’s Anglican Senior School (SGASS), and former T.A. Marryshow Community College student, Jaime Samuel, have both promised the pursuit of greater educational achievements.

They gave their commitment Monday as they were recognized and congratulated by Tourism Minister Peter David, MP for the Town of St. George.

De Gale is headed for the St. Joseph’s Convent in St. George’s after placing first among SGASS students in the 2011 Common Entrance Examinations (CEE). For her CEE exploits, she received a laptop from MP David, an SGASS alumnus.

“I feel proud to stand here and make this presentation. We are all going to be looking at your performance throughout the years,’’ Mr. David told Blossom at the presentation that was witnessed by a younger brother, as well as her mother and father.

In response, Blossom said: “I want to assure you that with this gift of computer, I will make maximum use of it to continue reaping great successes on my educational journey.’’

For the presentation of his gift of a computer and a cash donation, Samuel was joined by his mother, Diana Gibbs.

A resident of the Fours Roads community of St. George’s, Samuel is this year’s top student in Unit 2 of CAPE – the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations.

He has obtained a teaching job at the Presentation Brothers’ College but plans a future career in medicine.

“I want to say thank you for doing us proud in the Town of St. George. We’re very, very proud of you,’’ MP David told Samuel.

“I want to urge other students, who are going to do their exams next year, to use you as a role model and to ask you to reach out to them, whenever you can, to help them to do as good as you have done in your exams.’’

Samuel, whose haul of subjects includes passes in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, attended the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School after passing his CEE. So, too, did Mr. David.

The cash and computer donation, Samuel assured, “will help me in my future endeavours.’’

The MP encouraged Samuel and De Gale to continue working hard and also appealed to parents to give their children their “fullest support’’ in their drive for scholastic excellence.

Mr. David also took the opportunity to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the contribution of the computers that were donated to Samuel and De Gale.

Ministry of Sports congratulates World Championships athletes

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, August 30, 2011 - The Ministry of Youth Empowerment & Sports would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our athletes who continue to make us proud and most recently Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew for their splendid performances at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

The victory by Kirani James is another testament of the ability of our sportsmen and women to excel at the highest level.

Following the race on Tuesday morning I journeyed along with Prime Minister Tillman Thomas to meet the family of Kirani in Gouyave, St John.

We have expressed sincere congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada.

Let me also express congratulations to Rondell for persevering to the end despite an injury a reflection of grit and determination.

I would also like to congratulate Albert Joseph for his coaching skills and ability to lead and motivate our athletes. Let me also convey best wishes to Ms. Janelle Redhead as she embarks on her journey in the 200 metres on Thursday.

Finally, let me reiterate’s the Ministry's commitment to work with the National Sports Council, Parish Councils and the Grenada Olympic Committee to ensure we provide knowledgeable coaches, quality facilities and committed administrators to meet the demands and talent of our athletes.

Patrick Simmons

Minister for Youth Empowerment & Sports

"D-Day for Grenada

by Michael Bascombe

DAEGU, Korea, August 30, 2011 - Memories of 2004 are beginning to flash across the minds of Grenadians as two of their sons of the soil prepare to contest the final of the men’s 400m at the IAAF World Championships here on Tuesday.

Kirani James (AP Photo)

Pre-race favourites Rondell Bartholomew and Kirani James will have the biggest test of their track careers when they face the starter and their six challengers.

But with defending world champion American LaShawn Merritt, along with Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica into the mix of contenders, it’s becoming difficult to predict a winner.

Merritt (44.76), James (45.20) and Gonzales (44.99) were the semi-finals’ winners with the Borlee brothers (Kevin and Jonathan) of Belgium, and Tabarie Henry of the Virgin Islands as second place qualifiers and Grenadian Rondell Bartholomew and Femi Ogunode of Qatar among the fastest losers to qualify.

The Grenadians are brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s final. The Grenadians are brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s final. “It was a good semi-final. I took control of the race and the last 100m just try to stay as relaxed as possible,” James said.

“Everyone is running pretty well and I am not surprised because this is the World Champs and everyone wants to be on the podium,” he said. “I am happy to be here competing for my country,” he said while noting that everyone who makes the final has a chance to win.

History has not been kind to some of the sprint events thus far with new winners in the 100m (men and women), 110m hurdles and 400m (women).

Rondell Bartholomew (AP Photo)

Jamaican Yohan Blake ensured the men’s 100m championship stayed in Kingston after Olympic and World Record holder Usain Bolt was disqualified for a false start. Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, the 2009 silver and bronze medallists respectively, pulled out of the championships due to injury.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pyrce of Jamaica, who won the women’s 100m in 2009, had to settle for fourth behind American Carmelita Jeter, who finished third in 2009, and Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kelly-Ann Baptiste.

Also in 2009, Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados was a surprised winner in the men’s 110m hurdles but was nowhere near his form and was eliminated in the semi-finals. World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba crossed the line first but was disqualified for obstruction and Jason Richardson of the USA was given the gold.

The women’s 400m also changed guards as Amantle Montsho of Botswana, who finished last in 2009, turned the table on her competitors. It’s left to be seen whether the men’s 400m will also see a new champion.

Merritt will be running out of lane four (same as 2009) and will have James on his right (lane five) and Gonzales on his left (lane three). Bartholomew will be in lane two, and the field is completed by Ogunode in lane one, Kevin Borlee (lane six), Henry (lane seven) and Jonathan Borlee (lane eight).

The men’s 400m final will be contested at 9:45 p.m. (8:45 a.m. Eastern Caribbean Time).

Grenada banking on James and Bartholomew at WC

File photo: Kirani James & Rondell Bartholomew

by Michael Bascombe

DAEGU, South Korea, August 28, 2011 – Grenada’s two marquee athletes go into action on Sunday morning (Saturday night Eastern Caribbean Time) on the second day of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

First to take the track will be Rondell Bartholomew in Heat 1 of the men's 400m from about 11:15 a.m. (10:15 p.m. Saturday) while Kirani James competes about 24 minutes later in Heat 4.

Bartholomew, who will be running out of a comfortable lane 3, should have no worries qualifying for the semis.

However, he should expect some competition from the experienced Greg Nixon of the USA who has a personal best of 44.61 and clocked a season best of 44.98; Virgin Islander Tabarie Henry who can easily run a sub-45 and Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago.

James, who is also expected to move into Sunday's semi-final round, will come up against Jonathan Borlee of Belgium, William Collazo of Cuba and Bahamian Ramon Miller. All three have clocked sub-45s as their personal best.

The world leader over the one-lap distance will be donning his Grenada NOC’s wrist band in the colours of red, green and gold.

But one should not overlooked the defending champion American LaShawn Merritt and the potential of the other Caribbean athletes in Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica and Chris Brown and Demetrius Pinder of the Bahamas.

Merritt returned to competition last month after serving a two-year suspension for doping violation. He ran an impressive 44.74 seconds to finish second to Gonzales (44.69) at the DN Galan Diamond League in Stockholm.

Janelle Redhead, the other Grenadian competitor and lone female, competes in the women’s 200 metres on day six of competition on Thursday.

Meantime, Grenada’s most celebrated athlete Alleyne Francique has warned his Grenadian counterparts that they must not take everything for granted and prepare to work hard to secure medals.

“You have to know the qualifying procedures, the lane draws, your competitors and don’t think because you ran 44.61 or 44.65 that you could jog,” said Francique. “Just go out there and run, just run,” he quipped.

“They are young and have a lot of competitions ahead of them and stand a good chance of winning medals,” said Francique, a five-time competitor at the World Championships.

His main concern is the athletes’ ability to compete the three rounds over three consecutive days. “During my time we had a day off to rest after the semi-finals but now they will be running three consecutive days”. “Hopefully they could contest the rounds injury-free and if they have a good showing in the semi-finals then I think they both could do well,” he said.

Overall, this could be the best outing for Grenada at the World Championships in Athletics since Francique’s performances in 2001 and 2003 when he was a finalist and a semifinalist in 2005 and 2007.

The last World Championships in 2009, all four competitors exited in the first round of competition.

Click on link to listen to interview with Alleyne Francique

http://ia700707.us.archive.org/35/items/AlleyneFrancique/Francique_on_Worlds.mp3

Message to Grenadians and friends in the Diaspora

Dear Fellow Grenadians and Friends,

I write to express our solidarity with you as Hurricane Irene approaches New York, Washington D.C. and other areas which have known concentrations of Grenadians and other Caribbean nationals.

I wish to advise you to take all official warnings and advisories seriously.

Similarly, I urge you to relocate to safety, if you live in an area where evacuation has been advised. 

Our concern for you comes against the background of our own experience with Hurricane Ivan in 2004. 

We hope and pray for your safety and that of all others residing along the seldom visited path which this hurricane seems to be taking.

Tillman J. Thomas (Hon.)

PRIME MINISTER

GPC looks to stay viable as U.S. Postal Service plans job cuts

ST GEORGE’S, August 26, 2011 (GIS)  – Minister of Works and Public Utilities, Hon. Joseph Gilbert, has commended the management of the Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) for its leadership of the company, including the introduction of new initiatives to keep the corporation viable.

Mr. Gilbert, who is the Minister responsible for the GPC, made the remarks against the background of reports that the United States Postal Corporation (USPC) is planning to eliminate about 220,000 full-time jobs by 2015.

In addition, some 300 USPC processing facilities could be closed within the next four years as part of Wa proposal to bring the corporation’s finances in order.

The USPC, which receives no taxpayer funds, has been struggling with falling mail volumes as people communicate increasingly by email and pay bills online, Reuters News Agency said.

According to Reuters, the USPC reported a US$3.1 billion net loss in its most recent quarter. “It expects to be insolvent next month and default on a $5.5 billion retiree health payment,’’ the news agency added.

Among measures the USPC has suggested to address its woes are ending mail-delivery service on Saturday, and asking the U.S. Congress to give the corporation more control over its finances and hiring.

Minister Gilbert, commenting on the challenges of the U.S. Postal Corporation, warned that “the GPC, too, continues to grapple with the problem of falling revenues due to the increased use of electronic means to communicate, and less and less dependence on traditional mail.’’

So far, the Minister continued, “our Postal Corporation has been able to avoid any downsizing of staff whatsoever; and the management must be highly commended for this." 

However, Hon. Gilbert cautioned that “the issue of downsizing at the GPC cannot be ruled out completely, given the current trend of the growing decline in traditional mail service and falling revenues – locally, regionally and globally.’’

GPC Chairman, Adrian Francis, said that for the moment, the local Postal Corporation has been “cutting back where we can.’’ However, it has taken the position of retaining its existing staff but there will be “no new employment,’’ Mr. Francis disclosed.

He said Grenada is also more fortunate because its operations are much less automated than in the U.S., and the GPC has to deal with lower volumes of mail – especially international mail – compared to the USPC.

With respect to the finances of the GPC, Mr. Francis described its balance sheet as being at the “higher end of moderate, with the hope that it doesn’t get to desperation.’’

As a revenue-generating mechanism, the corporation recently introduced GPC Global – a service that allows Grenadians to shop online.

GPC Global shoppers are guaranteed to have their parceled goods delivered to their homes by the local postal corporation within 48 hours of a purchase.

Both Minister Gilbert and Chairman Francis are optimistic about the potential of GPC Global.

“This undertaking is having some success in transforming and improving the revenue base of the Postal Corporation,’’ the Minister said.

Mr. Francis said the corporation is hopeful that there’ll be a “marked improvement’’ in revenue from GPC Global in the upcoming Christmas shopping season.

The GPC Chairman said the corporation faces a shortfall in revenue from local billing and related mail service conducted inside the Tri-island State.

Since the 1980s, Grenadians have paid 25 cents to post a one-ounce piece of mail.

Mr. Francis said the GPC wants to increase the local postage rate and has applied to government for permission to do.

If approved, the new rate could take effect before yearend.

ICC welcomes Grenada as a new State Party

Today, 23 August 2011, the International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed Grenada as a new State Party to the Rome Statute of the ICC in a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague.

In a symbolic act, the President of the Court, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, presented the Ambassador of Grenada, HE Mr Stephen Fletcher, with a special edition of the Rome Statute of the ICC.

Commenting that Grenada was continuing “a proud Caribbean tradition of supporting the International Criminal Court”, the ICC President stated: “Each State that joins the ICC sends out a powerful message that it does not tolerate genocide, crimes against humanity or the other atrocious offences listed in the Statute, and it will not provide refuge to those suspected of such crimes”.

The Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) and Ambassador of Mexico, HE Mr Jorge Lomónaco, placed the occasion in Grenada’s historical context: “After 300 years as a colony, an overthrow of the government, an invasion in the mid-eighties and a full restoration of democracy to follow, Grenada has come out as a strong and independent state of the Caribbean Community”. That community, he added, is strongly committed to “combating impunity and bringing justice to victims”.

Referring to the adage that “It is only necessary for good men to do nothing for evil to triumph”, HE Ambassador Fletcher stated: “Today, Grenada is acting to prevent the triumph of evil. Today, Grenada’s action is sending a clear statement to the world, that it does not intend to allow crimes against humanity to escape the global justice system”.

The ceremony was held in the presence of the Registrar, Ms Silvana Arbia, the Deputy Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and several judges of the Court.

The government of Grenada deposited its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the UN on 19 May 2011. The Rome Statute took effect in Grenada on 1 August 2011, making Grenada the 115^th State Party to the Rome Statute.

SOURCE: International Criminal Court

Kirani James: We are trying to make a positive influence

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, August 11, 2011 – World leader in the 400 metres Grenadian Kirani James said he is not pressured into producing results at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea later this month.

Fresh from his world leading time and personal best of 44.61 seconds in the 400m in London last Friday, James said that all the competitors for the one-lap event have a chance of taking the podium. He said it’s unfair for people to say that he is the favourite.

“I don’t see myself as the man to beat because I only ran against these guys once and they have been running as professionals for a while and they have done that before at World Championships and Olympics,” he said from his training base in Alabama.

“I think that’s a huge disrespect to all the competitors out there. They are just as good and capable as well.”

He is cognisant that fitness and mental preparation are important factors in competing at the highest level.

“My main focus now is just to stay in shape and remain positive. Anyone competing in the World Championships should be able to handle three rounds,” he said.

However, the 18 year-old quarter-miler confirmed his readiness for the championships with a clear domination over his competitors at the London Diamond League on August 5. He said he was never bothered about the star-studded field which included the then world leader and compatriot Rondell Bartholomew.

“With Rondell in the race this made me more comfortable since he was the world leader and we were both representing Grenada. It was also an honour competing against these great athletes.”

James, who is well mannered and disciplined, is known for embracing all his competitors at the end of each race. “I have always learnt to show respect to the competitors and I always do that.”

Grenada has never won a medal at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics though Alleyne Francique is a two-time IAAF World Indoor 400m champion. James is hoping to be among the first to stand on the winners’ podium on August 30.

He is appealing for support from his fellow Grenadians, not only for the World Championships but also for future meets.

“We need all the support we can get but not just Rondell and I but all those who will be representing Grenada,” he said. “We want the younger ones to feel motivated since we are just paving the way for the others to come through. We are trying to make a positive influence.”

James, who turns 19 on September 1, could be the youngest medallist in the 400m at the World Championships.

Jeremy Wariner of the United States was only 21 when he won the gold medal at the World Championships in Helsinki in 2005. Only Mike Franks also of the United States and Thomas Schonlebe of Germany (19 and 18 respectively) were finalists as teenagers in the 1983 World Championships.

James is the third Grenadian to run sub-45 after Francique (44.47 PB) and Bartholomew (44.65 PB).

Grenada Government congratulates Kirani and Rondell

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, August 5, 2011 - The Grenada Government on Friday extended congratulations to quarter-milers Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew on their performances at the Samsung Diamond League in London.

James, who was competing in his first professional race, ran a world leading time of 44.61 seconds to win the men’s 400m at the Aviva London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace.

Bartholomew, who was the previous world leader from his early-season 44.65 seconds from the Texas Tech Open on April 2, finished seventh in 45.86 seconds. It means that Grenadians now have the top two fastest times over the 400m so far this year.

The Government’s commendations to the athletes were conveyed by Sports Minister Patrick Simmons who has been following the progress of the national athletes.

“On behalf of the Government and People of Grenada I would like to congratulate Kirani and Rondell who continue to fly our flag internationally,” he said.

“We are confident that our athletes are in line to bring home medals from the World Championships of Athletics starting later this month and London Olympic Games in 2012.”

“My hope is that their performances today will encourage and motivate other Grenadian sportsmen and women as they prepare for upcoming sporting events,” the Sports Minister said.

Only this week the Sports Minister along with the Permanent Secretary Veda Bruno-Victor, who is also the General Secretary of the Grenada Olympic Committee, were updating nationals at home and abroad about the plans in preparing the athletes and other sports representatives for the London Games.

The Sports Minister also said that the government is close to finalising arrangements for the refurbishment of the track and field stadium at Queen’s Park.

PHOTO CREDITS: Reuters