I wanted no details before as I wanted my involvement in the ugly impasse to be clear, to intervene against racism and bullying. Now that the matter has been 'settled' in the public domain I chose to get more informed, and after reading a detailed, unbiased account of what took place in the gymnastic imbroglio I am of the view that Thema Williams may have been deliberately disadvantaged and shortchanged by the communication or lack thereof between her handlers and an overly zealous T&T Gymnastics Federation.
Her coach did her no favours, and for all the talent he purportedly has, he seems to lack the decency required to acknowledge his role in giving those with an agenda the fuel they needed to put their own train in motion.
By the time it was apparent that sport politics was threatening to undermine her 'promised' place, proper (read that word carefully) action should have been taken to make the public aware and to seek legal redress. Jurisdiction issues arise, but ultimately the T&T Olympic Committee, despite whatever agreements they are bound by with international bodies, is not compelled to send any athlete at all if they are of the view that machinations other than fair play were at work.
That still is the case.
The people who were trying to plead Ms Williams' case made, by their juvenile behaviour, a woeful mess that became difficult to untangle, and had they demonstrated the grace and maturity shown by both Thema and Marisa throughout this ordeal things might have turned out differently.
Nikki Crosby and friends took on a responsibility without having an understanding of what they were doing or how to get to the desired end, crashed the effort by making the issue one girl over the other.
Like myself, I know many others were put off by the violence of their campaign, and by the time bullying and racism reared their ugly heads, people who had no dog in the fight pulled themselves away rather than risk being tarnished by questionable positions and even more questionable statements and activities.
I hope those who use other people's lives as backdrops for their own self promotion learn a lesson here, and while some of them must have had only Thema's best interest at heart, their willingness to throw out their own integrity and become what they said they were fighting against makes the point.
But back to the issue. I believe the TTOC is morally bound to withdraw Marisa Dick from representing this country, not through any fault of her own, but because there is a real possibility that she may have 'gotten' the opportunity to cement the place through activities that undermine all the values that we are supposed to take away form organised international sport.
I also suggest a financial and managerial audit of all bodies and organisations representing national athletes to determine where-else special interests and fiefdoms may have taken precedence over the national agenda.
The lesson that comes out of this must not be that here in T&T anything goes or that cheaters can prosper.
There needs to be an enquiry as to what exactly transpired from conception and the roles of everyone involved, and where action cannot be taken, sanctions employed and positions terminated to send a clear and unequivocal message, that we in T&T stand for morality in all our dealings and affairs.
For that to happen neither party should benefit, and while T&T may lose, ultimately we as a nation will gain by taking the tough, principled stand. The Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee should be compelled to do the right thing. Marisa Dick should be withdrawn and no athlete sent to represent us in this sport for this Olympics.
Phillip Alexander
By email