The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee hosted an historical 26th Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 29th December 2020.
The first virtual awards ceremony was premiered on Team TTO virtual platforms via a live stream on Facebook, YouTube and the TTOC’s Zoom online platform and provided to all broadcast channels in Trinidad and Tobago.
As the patron of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, Her Excellency Paula Mae Weekes O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago addressed the proceedings.
The President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, Brian Lewis, and the feature speaker, former national captain and professional football player, Kenwyne Jones, emphasised the role of resilience in their respective remarks.
TTOC President Brian Lewis highlighted the impact of Covid-19 which challenged us and took us out of our comfort zones during 2020. He reiterated the TTOC’s commitment to being game-changers and a beacon of hope to the youth as well as to the development of the sport industry. Brian Lewis affirmed the TTOC’s belief in inclusion and diversity despite having to take the unpopular path or go against group thinking.
In delivering the feature address, Kenwyne Jones drew on his past experiences during his professional football career to inspire athletes to be resilient and not give up, to always be the best version of themselves.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, Mrs. Beverly Reid-Samuel shared special greetings on behalf of the Minister of Sport and Community Development.
The TTOC congratulates all 2020 awardees for their grit and determination during an unprecedented year for the human race and in particular for athletes whose sights were set on the original 2020 Olympic Games
The List of awardees is as follows:
Sportsman of the year – Dylan Carter – Swimming
The Commonwealth Games silver medalist splashed it out with the world’s best at the International Swimming League (ISL) at the major international swimming competition of 2020 in a year in which many sports major meetings were decimated because of Covid19.
Sportswoman of the year – Teniel Campbell – Cycling
First cyclist to ever qualify for an Olympic Games. Bronze medal in her debut event, Vuelta CV Féminas in Valencia, Spain. Two-year contract with Australian pro cycling team Mitchelton-Scott
Future is Female – Samantha Wallace – Netball
Re-signed with the New South Wales Swifts club for the 2021 season of the Suncorp Super
Netball League. Third-best shooter scoring 522 goals from 591 attempts and scored 46 Super Shots from 85 attempts, which ranked her fifth in both categories. Fifth in the rankings for offensive rebounds with 31 for the season and helped her team to a fourth place League finish
Junior Sportsman of the year – Nikolai Blackman - Swimming
Won the 50 metre freestyle in a Championship record of 24.31. in the boys sprint freestyle.
He lowered the Championship record of 54.00 by Mexico's Victor Manuel Salcedo to 53.84. First sprint freestyle GOLDEN DOUBLE by a swimmer from Trinidad and Tobago across all three age groups and the first from a swimmer from the CARIFTA region.
Junior Sportswoman of the year & People’s Choice – Abigail Vieira – Skiing
First athlete from Trinidad and Tobago to compete at a Winter Youth Olympic Games. Ranked 42nd out of 62 athletes at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Sports Personality of the year – Dr. Felice Aisha Chow – Rowing
World Rowing Athlete of the Month.
Alexander B. Chapman Award – Nigel Grosvenor (posthumously) -
Coach Former St. Anthony’s College and Queen’s Royal College football coach
