Athletes Leave for London Empty-Handed

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Monday, 23 July 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St. John’s - Antigua and Barbuda athletes and officials are on their way to London, England, to represent the country at the 2012 Summer Olympics empty-handed, as a request to the government for assistance fell on deaf-ears.

Both President of the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Association (ABOA), Paul Chet Greene, and Chef de Mission, Neville Fenton, have confirmed their a letter requesting financial assistance amounting to $22,000 to provide the athletes and officials with per diem did not receive a positive response from the government.

Greene again raised the matter when he presented the Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, with a shirt that would be worn by the athletes and officials just prior to his departure to London on Saturday.

Fenton, who left on Sunday, said the entire delegation representing Antigua and Barbuda will be fully assembled by Tuesday. He said the International Olympic Committee provides airfare and accommodation for athletes and officials, but it is expected that national governments would assist with providing per diem for their athletes.

The Chef de Mission, a veteran of several Olympic and International sporting meets, said the lack of response from the government this year is nothing new.

“The Athletics Association is still owed money from the government for our participation in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India,” he disclosed.

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He explained that requests to the government have been denied going back even to the International Meet in Brazil in 2007 where Brendan Christian, one of the athletes attending the London games, won the 200 metre race.

Despite their not assisting the team cover its expenses, Christian was the toast of the government officials who seemingly wanted to share in his success. He was invited back to Antigua and paraded on stage, according to information gleaned by Caribarena.com.

Fenton noted that despite the failure of the government to offer tangible support for the delegation, the team felt obligated to present a shirt and a commemorative pin to the head of government, the prime minister.

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation includes five athletes: Christian, whose specialty is the 200m; Daniel “Bakka” Bailey, 100m; Afia Charles, 200m (female); and swimmers, Karin Clashing-O’Reilly (female); and Orel Jeffrey (male). Other members of the delegation include, secretary of the ABOA, Cliff Williams and Dr Philmore Benjamin, team doctor.

The 2012 Olympic Games starts this weekend ant the team returns in late August. 

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