Jehue Gordon urges athletes to aim high at Commonwealth Youth Games

TEAM leader of the TT 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games squad Jehue Gordon is encouraging the athletes to use the games as a launching pad for their careers.

The team leader plays a similar role as the chef de mission.

Gordon, a 400-metre hurdles world champion in 2013, is transitioning into sport administration.

He has been kept busy over the last month making flight arrangements and organising accommodation for all the TT athletes. The TT squad will be confirmed in the coming days.

Over 1,000 athletes from over 70 countries will travel to TT for the games which will be held from August 4-11.

Seven sports will be held during the games. Athletics/Para Athletics, cycling and swimming will be held in Trinidad, while in Tobago athletes will compete in triathlon, rugby sevens, beach volleyball and fast five netball.

Gordon said the TT athletes have been putting in the work. “I think over the last couple weeks we have seen teams ramp up their training. I know the rugby team has had a couple miniature competitions across the Savannah leagues with their Under-18s competing against their seniors. Beach volleyball has taken the initiative to host mini camps in Couva at the sand allotment that they have there. Track and field (athletes) have been out competing. They recently did exceptionally well at the NACAC Games…the preparations have been good thus far going into the games.”

The hurdles champion said the games can be the start of memorable careers for the young athletes. “I have never participated at such a major event at Under-18 level…they are welcoming 70 countries to our beautiful island and I think for most of them this is going to be the biggest that they would participate in at this age group. Some of them would have been to Carifta Games and to little mini-games regionally, but this event would be a stepping stone for their career to really set a tone and standard for international competitions to come.”

Gordon, who also represented TT at the youth level, wants the athletes to cherish this golden opportunity.

“What I would tell them is to enjoy the moment. It is a stepping stone, it is not the end all and to definitely bleed red, white and black. Understand what it means to represent TT and give it your best shot. Leave everything in the pool, on the court, on the track, wherever it needs to be left.”

All eyes will be on TT during the games as this country will showcase its culture to the world.

Gordon is hoping the people of TT show their support to the athletes. “It will be great if TT understands what we have at our shores and to grasp the opportunity to really showcase what it means to be a Trinbagonian.”