f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013

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