Gymnast Thema Williams and the T&T Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) will have to wait two months for the outcome of Williams' multi-million dollar lawsuit against the TTGF over her failed Olympic dream.
High Court Judge Frank Seepersad reserved his decision in the case after completing the three-day trial at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain yesterday afternoon.
During yesterday's hearing, attorneys for the parties completed the testimony and cross-examination of the four former TTGF executive members, who were listed as defendants in the lawsuit alongside the federation. The members are former president David Marquez, vice-president Akil Wattley, Ricardo Lue Shue and his wife Donna.
The Lue Shues were repeatedly questioned by Williams' lawyer Martin Daly, SC, over their relationship with fellow gymnast Marissa Dick, who replaced Williams at an Olympic test event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in April 2016.
They admitted to forging a close relationship with Dick's family after the Canada-born elite athlete decided to represent T&T in 2012.
Asked why he was listed as Dick's assistant coach for the event by the International Gymnastics Federation on its website, Ricardo claimed that it was an error.
"It was done so I could be accredited for the event," he claimed as he denied favouring Dick while making decisions on the TTGF's executive council.
In her cross-examination, Ricardo's wife was questioned over a social media post from their daughter, which lend support to Dick before she and Williams competed at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Glasgow, Scotland on October 23, 2015.
That event was used as a qualifier to determine whether Williams or Dick would be the TTGF's top pick for the test event in Brazil.
Donna claimed that the post did not mean that she and her family favoured Dick.
"My other daughter also made a post for Thema," she claimed.
Lue Shue, who previously served as president of the organisation, was also quizzed about TTGF's decision to appoint one of Dick's foreign coaches as the head of mission for the games in Scotland.
"Is that not a bit of a conflict?" Daly asked. Lue Shue said no as he claimed that the coach was experienced and professional.
During his testimony, Wattley was interrogated over his negative comments against Williams after she took to social media to complain over the TTGF's delay in announcing her as T&T representative after she placed higher than Dick in Scotland.
Wattley claimed that he was disappointed with Williams after she allegedly posted the final decision on Dick's social media page, in an apparent attempt to gloat. He admitted to raising issues with other members over Williams' alleged lack of sportsmanship.
Wattley repeatedly denied that his opinion of Williams' character did not influence his decision to vote for her to be replaced by Dick.
"I am the one who got funding for her to go to Brazil. The athlete does not get anywhere without the federation. We always supported her," Wattley said.
He got defensive as Daly pressed him on whether he and the other executive members held a grudge against Williams.
"I don't carry grudges on people...It is in the best interest of the country that the best athlete is chosen," Wattley said.
Wattley maintained that the TTGF made the right decision after Williams' coach John Geddert raised issues over her experiencing discomfort in her ankle. Geddert, who was not called as a witness in the case although his report is central to it, also noted that Williams' had disastrous performance during a dress rehearsal for the qualification event.
"Once you are having discomfort, you would not produce your best performance," Wattley said.
Wattley and the Lue Shues were also quizzed on why they and other executive members chose to make a decision without getting additional information from Geddert.
They all said that the additional information was important but not necessary for the decision, as Geddert's concerns over Williams' fitness were clear.
Donna said: "If someone sends you an email like that its a red flag. It is an SOS."
In her evidence, earlier this week, Williams denied being injured when she was replaced and claimed to have been only informed of the decision by her mother, on the morning of the event.
About the Case
In her claim for over $10 million in damages, Williams's lawyers are contending that the federation acted unfairly and breached its own internal policy in making the last-minute decision.
Williams is claiming compensation for her “loss of opportunity” and damage to her personal and professional reputation allegedly caused by the “harsh and oppressive” actions of the federation’s executive.
Her attorneys are contending that by failing to be given an opportunity to qualify for the Olympics, she suffered a huge loss of opportunity of endorsements, motivational speaking engagements and repeated business opportunities as well as a full scholarship to the Michigan State University, which she forewent in her bid to qualify to become the first person to represent T&T in gymnastics at the Olympics.
Alternate athlete Marissa Dick, who was chosen to replace Williams, eventually qualified to represent this country at the games.
Williams is also being represented by Keith Scotland, while Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, and Ronnie Bissessar are appearing for the federation's four executives. Justin Junkere is representing the federation.