It's the home straight today as far as the 2016 Rio Olympics go. And the one area in which the analysts have given Team Trinidad and Tobago its only chance to medal–the relays begin.
Prior to the start of the Games, the Asso-ciated Press predicted that Team TTO will win one medal through its 4 x 400 metres relay team.
They predicted bronze, with their vote for gold going to who else? America! Silver is heading Britain's way, according to their pre-dictions.
If this happens, it will be a repeat of London where bronze was one of the four medals Team TTO brought home in what was its biggest cache at any single Games.
There is no silverware yet in Rio, but the energy is there for these relays and there is a feeling of optimism in the camp, almost like expectations are about to be fulfilled.
The women that will be first in action in the women's 4x100 metres from 10.20am(TT time)
Six ladies were selected for this adven-ture–Ahye, Kelly Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hack-ett, Khalifa St Fort, Reyare Thomas and Kai Selvon.
By the time the race starts, Ahye would have completed six rounds of running and Hackett four rounds (in the individual 100 and 200 metres contests) so there is likely to be some changes for this qualifying heat.
There is speculation that Hackett will be asked to run the opening leg instead of Bap-tiste with Reyare Thomas and Khalifa St Fort rounding off the other two spots, giving Ahye a breather from her tough campaign.
Hackett, the powerful Tobago born sprinter said yesterday all six ladies were fine and focused on solid performances to get Team TTO to the finals.
"We believe in each other and there is a nice spirit in the team. We all want to first get the stick around and qualify for the finals and then take it from there."
The men's equivalent which placed fourth, then third and hopefully second after the finals in London 2012, comprises Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Rondell Sorillo, Emmaunel Callender, Kyle Greaux and Mar-cus Duncan.
Thompson told the T&T Guardian: "We are professionals. We have to be ready to run at our best and forget everything else in the relays. We have to be on our game and remain focussed. I will not let my disappointment from the 100 metres affect the relays."
Bledman admitted that the team was miss-ing Marc Burns.
"But when this team gets a baton in our hands, we are a different group of guys. We are determined to perform yet again in the relays."
Sorillo also was optimistic.
"People may be writing us off but as a team we are very focused on what needs to be done and we are out to get into the finals on Saturday." (AB)