After being elected president of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the T&T Commonwealth Games Association on May 6, 2013, I almost immediately made a declaration that the aspirational goal is 10 or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024.
The 10-gold objective have faced relentless criticism, scorn, ridicule and naysayers but it is an aspiration that I have no doubt we can achieve. We need to shake loose from the mental shackles and emancipate ourselves from mental slavery.
We could have all the money in the world and all the world class facilities money can buy, it is all worthless if we lack the mental strength, mental courage and toughness and the hunger and burning desire for gold medal success.
Where there is a will there is a way. We have our creativity and imagination.
In a few weeks (January 29 to be exact), I will attempt once again to complete the T&T International Marathon by walking the entire course.
It will be the third consecutive year in an effort to raise awareness and funding for the TeamTTO 10 golds24 athlete welfare and preparation fund.
I again republish the concept behind 10 golds24:
#10golds24 has set clear performance targets for T&T's high performance system. These targets are challenging and will require new and innovative approaches in order to achieve them. One area that #10golds24 can make the largest gains to meet and sustain these targets is to lead the development of a system that can deliver improved results over the longer term.
Many countries have tried and failed to initiate and implement successful high performance systems. This failure has been largely due to a "one size fits all" approach with the application of models that often ignore critical cultural and environmental factors.
The success of #10golds24 approach to high performance system building will be centred on the alignment and better use of existing structures in conjunction with the integration of new and innovative approaches. To this end, #10golds24 will play a greater role in the development of athletes, coaches and technical leaders.
 
What is System Excellence?
It is an evidence-based approach centred on creating sustainable and repeatable podium performances by fostering the systematic development of world class athletes, coaches and technical leaders; ensuring we have the right athletes in the right sports and that they are given the right support at the right time; and ensuring we use our resources in the most efficient and effective manner for the best performance gains.
 
What is the scope of #10golds24?
It is defined by a three-pronged approach in the areas of high performance coaching and technical leadership; high performance athlete development; and high performance strategy.
#10golds24 will be working with national sport organisations  to create high performance coaching and athlete development.
Integrated sport sciences, sports medicine and other team management professionals that support coaches and athletes/teams including physiologist, sport psychologist, biomechanist, nutritionist, physical therapists/athletic therapist, and a physician.
Additionally, a performance analyst to support the use of various new innovations in video and technology for the purpose of performance enhancement.
#10golds24 must work with the coaches and athletes to ensure athletes receive world-class care and support for their training, recovery and competition programmes.
The goal of #10golds24 is to ensure that T&T athletes are healthy, fit and psychologically ready for optimal performance. The foundation of 10 golds 24 is grounded in knowing that the only thing holding us back is our thinking, mindest, attitude.
From the words of Nelson Mandela:
"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living".
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: Brian Lewis is the president of the T&T Olympic Committee. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.
