"So close, but history made," said Axel Brown.
In this country's first-ever appearance at the four-man International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup, the T&T quartet just missed out on making the final round after placing 21st in heat one at the Olympia Bob Run St Moritz-Celerina in Switzerland on Sunday.
T&T's Axel Brown, De Aundre John, Shakeel John and Xaverri Williams were the 23rd and final team to hit the track. Their time of one minute and 06.25 seconds (1:06.25) was just outside of the 20th-placed Lichtenstein team who occupied the final qualifying spot with a clocking of 1:06.07.
The journey of the Team TTO bobsleigh and skeleton programme in recent times is a noteworthy example of careful planning and a clear strategic understanding of the operating environment.
Deserved praise must be given to Axel, who took over the mantle from T&T bobsleigh pioneer Gregory Sun, who started the winter sports programme.
Axel in his unwavering effort to keep the bobsleigh and skeleton programme progressing is unrelenting and determined. His quest and vision for Team TTO winter sport excellence is uncompromising. He is someone who I enjoy exchanging ideas with. Axel isn't into mediocrity. He is fully aware of the challenges and obstacles he faces and will continue to face.
Brown in an interview said: "T&T has meant opportunity to me. My childhood dream has come true, thanks to T&T. My entire life’s work is down to my connection to T&T."
In many ways, the current T&T bobsleigh and skeleton programme is a model that most of our Olympic sports may need to consider. Not everything will work in other sports but it's the willingness to innovate, to look for solutions even where there may be resource impediments.
In striving for excellence, the relentless pursuit of it can be very demanding and as a result, there will always be those who will be disappointed and unhappy. However, disappointment and unhappiness in the context of striving to be a champion can be motivational. It's not an excuse to give up or quit. There are those who do less with more but that can't be said about Axel and his group, who are doing more with less.
With history now made, one can legitimately anticipate the T&T bobsleigh and skeleton programme will continue to grow.
There are a number of opportunities in what may be considered for Team TTO's non-traditional International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised sports and disciplines, that present T&T with opportunities for growth. It will require coming out of our comfort zone. I have said it before and will continue to say it. We need to explore beach and sand, urban, winter and esports opportunities with enhanced strategic intent and focus.
We must plan now for the next generation and inspire the current generation of youth, while at the same time seeking out growth opportunities for new revenue streams.
For sure in the coming months, we will deep dive into all the important and necessary topics.
This week the focus is on fine-tuning all aspects of Sunday's "Goin4Gold" Walk. Edition number 11.
A reminder the purpose of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Gold Foundation walk is to build awareness and fund-raising. It can be said to be about helping Olympians build better financial futures. It seeks to provide transformative investments and economic dignity for the youth and young people who aspire to win Olympic gold.
For anyone who may decide last minute that they wish to join the walk. Visit TTOC Olympic House at 104 Woodford Street, Port-of-Spain.
If you aren't ready for the 26.2-mile challenge, you can join at any point along the way that is within your comfort zone.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in the preceding article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any organisation in which he is a stakeholder.