Caribbean Sports Network

THERE are now high expectations for England-based Trinidad and Tobago swimmer Christian Homer ahead of the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Homer recently won TT’s lone gold medal in the 50 metres backstroke at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, which ends tomorrow.

At the Piarco International Airport VIP Lounge yesterday, Sports minister Anil Roberts told Homer he is well on course for the Commonwealth Games in India in October this year and Olympic Games in London, England in 2012.

Flanked by his father Paul and Mother Charmaine, along with other relatives Homer said he will always do his best.

Roberts, after congratulating his ex-swim student, reminded him that he should not feel too badly of his slow time in the 100 metre backstroke, as he did not get the required amount of rest to prepare him for the event’s final.

He, however, told the gathering that Homer did show heart to recover from such a performance in such a short time to grab the gold medal in the final of the 50 metre backstroke.

According to Roberts, Homer is more deserving of the honour of an Olympic gold medal than any other swimmer, as he was described as someone who is dedicated and committed to his development in the sport.

He said, Homer is the fastest learner of the sport that he has ever taught. “I am not surprised that Homer won a gold medal at all.”

Homer’s medal took to two, the number of gold medals for Trinidad and Tobago at Olympic Games.

The only other gold medallist is legendary 100 metres sprinter Hasely Crawford, who won gold at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, in the senior Olympic games.

Homer, in reliving the moments leading up to his gold medal winning performance in Singapore, said he was terribly disappointed with his performance in the 100 metres backstroke but found the lead up to the 50- metres final as funny.

“I had an amazing swim in the semi-finals of the 50-metres backstroke, qualifying with the fastest time and on the final night I warmed up with some extremely good performances.

“My opponents kept on looking at me and tried to intimidate me by doing all sort of antics, but I found it all funny, rather than anything to bother me from what I wanted to do,” Homer said.

He explained further that after the 100 metres he really wanted to win a medal and do something for Trinidad and Tobago.

“When I touched the board at the finish in the 50 metres backstroke and I looked up and saw the number #1 by my name I went blank.

“I thanked God for the win but I felt as though the victory was for the entire Caribbean, who had been really supportive of me throughout the entire event.” Homer said.

He described the win as a stepping stone towards future senior competitions but vowed to do his best.

At the VIP Lounge there to greet the gold medallist were Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Stacey Roopnarine, Olympic Committee president Larry Romany and Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of ex- President Noor Hassanali.

Romany said he and the Olympic committee are totally behind Homer for the coming Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games, while Roopnarine presented him with a token, as her ministry and the country celebrate Youth in Sports Month.