TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Chef de Mission, Dr Ian Hypolite has received some flak for what some have called a conflict of interest at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Hypolite played an important role for ESPN during its coverage of the games, analysing the track and field events for the media house, all the while, reports suggest, he was shirking his duties as Chef de Mission.
The Chef de Mission’s job requirements are immense and there are corridors of discontent, saying Hypolite could not have been effective if he had other focuses.
The questions have grown even louder because Hypolite’s Trinidad and Tobago underperformed badly, with their only medal coming at the end of the track and field events, with Keshorn Walcott throwing the javelin far enough for a bronze medal.
One incident that came to the fore was a disqualification of the T&T team in the 4×100 metres relay.
Hypolite, on ESPN, said he believed T&T should ask for a review upon seeing a replay, however, there were concerns that he should have been the person leading the charge in that regard.
However, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee had sanctioned Dr Hypolite’s ESPN activities, saying his vast experience would serve to accurately analyse the team’s medal opportunities in track and field. (Sportsmax.com)