David Francis heeded the call by a number of individuals to step down as Team TTO cycling manager for the Rio Olympic Games and voluntarily withdrew from his appointment according to a release yesterday from the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC).
On Friday there were discussions between the presidents of the TTOC, Brian Lewis and the T&T Cycling Federation (TTCF), Robert Farrier, in respect to the Team TTO Rio cycling delegation and it was agreed that a further meeting would be held yesterday at the National Cycling Centre, Couva, according to a release from the TTOC.
This was a result of a fall out by T&T representative Njisane Phillip, who expressed his disapproval of Francis being named as part of his team for the Olympic Games scheduled for August 5-21 in Brazil, following TTOC's announcement of the 32-athletic contingent on Thursday at Olympic House, Port-of-Spain.
Phillip was quite vocal about the TTCF's selection of Francis saying that he had requested endurance rider Varun Maharajh to be on his team, along with Elijah Greene as the mechanic at the Games.
Only two officials are afforded to accompany the athlete in Rio and the cycling federation opted for Francis, who it said, will travel in the capacity of a manager and will conduct all managerial work while there. Phillip believes Maharajh can fill the role of a soigneur, an assistant responsible for feeding, clothing, massaging and escorting riders.
Former national cyclist Gene "Geronimo" Samuel and Phillip's stepfather Philip Whiteman also voiced their disappointment on the local rider's recommendation for manager, being ignored by the TTCF.
The meeting yesterday included Lewis, Farrier, Francis, the TTCF assistant racing secretary, TTCF racing chairman Joseph Roberts and Gary Acosta, the TTCF racing secretary who discussed all aspects of the decision, concerns and relevant facts related to the selection.
Subsequent to that meeting Francis stepped down. This decision will allow the TTOC to fill the vacant position on the cycling team as best as they see fit. The individual selected for this position will be chosen from the shortlist of officials previously submitted by the TTCF for the Rio Games.