f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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King Carlos said the purpose <strong>of</strong> the visit was to enhance<br />
relations <strong>and</strong> encourage closer ties, bilateral <strong>and</strong> economic<br />
trade relations, between T&T <strong>and</strong> Spain, noting that the<br />
countries had, “deep rooted, historical ties.”<br />
T&T was not short on excitement, in the following<br />
months. The event that received the greatest buzz <strong>and</strong><br />
media attention locally <strong>and</strong> internationally was the<br />
Fifth Summit <strong>of</strong> the Americas. Held from April 17–19, at<br />
the Hyatt Regency <strong>Trinidad</strong> in Port <strong>of</strong> Spain, the Summit<br />
brought together thirty-four Heads <strong>of</strong> State, including U.S.<br />
President Barack Obama.<br />
Themed, Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting<br />
Human Prosperity, Energy Security <strong>and</strong> Environmental<br />
Sustainability, the Summit sought to provide a forum for<br />
the world leaders to discuss pertinent political, social <strong>and</strong><br />
economic issues affecting the countries <strong>and</strong> to help bring<br />
about fair solutions in a multilateral <strong>and</strong> unbiased way.<br />
Foreign participants were treated to a taste <strong>of</strong> T&T’s<br />
rich culture, including the sound <strong>of</strong> steelpan, calypso <strong>and</strong><br />
soca. <strong>Trinidad</strong> scored big as it is the smallest nation to<br />
ever host the event <strong>and</strong> the praises came fast <strong>and</strong> furious<br />
from various quarters, including President Obama, as well<br />
as several other world leaders.<br />
In August, <strong>Trinidad</strong> made the history books again,<br />
this time after earning its first three medals at a World<br />
Championship. Held in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, the<br />
twelfth instalment <strong>of</strong> the IAAA World Championship took<br />
place from the August 15–23. The millions who sat in the<br />
stadium <strong>and</strong> the millions more who took in the action in<br />
the comfort <strong>of</strong> their homes witnessed T&T’s Rennie Quow<br />
capture the Bronze medal in the highly competitive 400<br />
m sprint. His time was 45.02 seconds. The <strong>Tobago</strong>-born<br />
athlete made his nation proud when he draped the redwhite-<strong>and</strong>-black<br />
flag over his shoulders, savouring the<br />
historic moment.<br />
Josanne Lucas, also from the sister isle (<strong>Tobago</strong>) created<br />
history when she ran away with the Bronze medal in the<br />
400 m hurdles. With a time <strong>of</strong> 53.20 seconds, the athlete<br />
became the first female World Championship track <strong>and</strong><br />
field medalist for <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>.<br />
Wait…there’s more! T&T had more reason to smile with<br />
the achievement <strong>of</strong> a Silver medal in the 4 x 100 m relay.<br />
The dynamic quartet was anchored by Olympic silver<br />
medalist, Richard Thompson, <strong>and</strong> also included Darrel<br />
Brown, 100 m finalist Marc Burns <strong>and</strong> Keston Bledman.<br />
The athletes all gave their best <strong>and</strong> guided T&T across the<br />
finish line, ahead <strong>of</strong> 2008 Olympic Bronze medalists from<br />
Japan.<br />
In November, the streets <strong>of</strong> the capital city were abuzz<br />
with excitement again when the country hosted the<br />
Commonwealth Heads <strong>of</strong> Government Meeting (CHOGM).<br />
Held biennially, CHOGM brings together Commonwealth<br />
leaders to discuss global <strong>and</strong> Commonwealth<br />
developments in an effort to agree upon policies <strong>and</strong><br />
initiatives <strong>and</strong> to chart the way forward for its member<br />
countries.<br />
With parang music penetrating the airwaves from as<br />
early as September, the nights grew short as the Christmas<br />
season kicked in.<br />
Now that was a mouthful! Did you keep up Hope you<br />
did because 2010 promises to be even more eventful. Do<br />
stay tuned…<br />
Stephen Broadbridge<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong><br />
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