Trinidad following its national hero from afar
Walcott won second gold in country’s Olympic history, looks for repeat at Pan Ams
“It’s simple, it just takes one to be successful and others will follow.” DONNIE VINCENT TRINIDADIAN TRACK FAN
When Keshorn Walcott arrived home in Trinidad, an Olympic gold medal around his neck, he was fêted with a nine-hour motorcade from the airport to his small hometown of Toco, the island’s most northeasterly village.
Thousands of people across the country took to the street in a Carnival-style atmosphere. The government gave him a new home, a university scholarship and land. Both a lighthouse and Walcott’s former high school now bear his name.
And if you’ve never heard of Keshorn Walcott, you may not be alone. But all that is about to change. The 22-year-old, who became a national hero when he won the second gold medal in Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic history, competes Friday in the Pan Am Games’ javelin throw.
Horace R. Thorne, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario, thinks his countryman has an extremely good chance at another gold Friday. It’s part of the reason why Thorne will be in the stands at CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium on Friday to catch Walcott, and expects much of Toronto’s Trinidadian community to join him.
“The euphoria spread,” Thorne said of Walcott’s gold medal, a feat the country hadn’t duplicated since track star Hasely Crawford won the 200-metre title at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. “Here was no different; we were ecstatic for his win.”
No one took the sport seriously before Walcott won his medal, avid track-and-field fan and Trinidad native Donnie Vincent told the Star from his home in Arouca, Trinidad.
Vincent is one of the rare fans who has followed Walcott since his days competing as a junior. He was shocked when Walcott, who qualified for the Olympic finals in 11th place, managed to snag the gold, but believes the win has done great things to inspire others to get involved in sport and work hard to become a champion.
“It’s simple, it just takes one to be successful and others will follow.”
Valentino Singh, sports editor of the Trinidad Guardian, agrees.
“It was a relief to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and coming from such a young man, restored the belief in our sporting personnel to lift the spirit of the people.”
With that belief comes added pressure. Singh said, although the Pan Ams aren’t televised there, many will stream the competition online.
“The Pan Am Games is a precursor to the Olympics, and whether it’s Pan Am or Diamond League, Trinidad and Tobago awaits to hear of more success from Keshorn. Whenever he performs we have high expectations.”
After arriving home from London in 2012, Walcott told the Guardian his newfound fame was “OK.”
“I’m a bit tired, but things have been normal. I don’t mind. It’s for the people,” he said.
But his devotion to javelin is unwavering, and chef de mission for Trinidad and Tobago, Diane Henderson, expects her athlete to be a medal contender at these Games.
He’s continuing to improve; Walcott joined the exclusive 90-metre club earlier this month when he threw a distance of 90.16 at the annual Lausanne Diamond League track and field event in Switzerland.
Walcott arrived in Toronto over the weekend, and is preoccupied with getting himself ready for the event.
“He’s just been recuperating so he can be strong for the javelin throw,” Henderson said, of Walcott’s busy schedule. “I think that’s most important after a couple events.”