The local track and field fraternity was thrown into mourning after the death of National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) executive member Ali St Louis, who was killed in a vehicular accident at around 10 pm on Sunday near the Mausica Road Intersection. St Louis' son AJ was also involved in the accident and remains warded at hospital. St Louis is a former national athlete that represented T&T at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. He competed in the first round of the men's 400 metres.
The 52-year-old retired soldier also was part of T&T's silver medal 4x400m team at the 1986 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He also was part of the 1982 bronze medal team in Havana, Cuba. St Louis was also an IAAF Level IV middle/long distance and race walking coach and also a starter at track meets.
He recently served as head coach of this country's contingent to the Carifta Games in Montego Bay, Jamaica in April earlier this year. St Louis was also a sprint coach to the Pan American Junior Championships in Miramar, Florida in July and the 2010 Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands. The former 200/400m sprinter also served on the team official to the CAC Games in Mayaquez, Puerto Rico, last year.
NAAA president Ephraime Serrette said St Louis' passing is a great loss to the local athletic family. "He contributed as an athlete and official and last year was elected on the executive. Ali will be missed. The NAAA is in mourning." Serrette added that the former Abilene Wildcats athlete was very competitive as an athlete and that the local athletic body will meet and discuss fitting tribute to St Louis.