Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) President Brian Lewis has described Nicholas Paul’s relegation in his second ride at the Tokyo Olympics as “a raw deal”.
IT was heartbreak for Trinidad and Tobago cyclist Nicholas Paul as he missed out on a spot in the semifinals of the men’s sprint event after a violation cost him on Thursday morning (TT time).
Paul, the world record holder in the event, faced Denis Dmitriev of the Russia Olympic Committee in the best-of-three quarterfinal showdown.
Paul won the first race comfortably after sprinting away from Dmitriev.
In the second race Paul won initially and thought he had booked his place in the semifinals, but the TT cyclist was relegated for a violation.
The result sheet said, “Relegation for not holding their line during the final sprint.”
Speaking on the Power Breakfast Show this morning Lewis said Paul was treated unfairly.
He said that politics also plays a major role in sporting events such as this one.
The TTOC President had a message for those who criticised any defence of Paul and the decision.
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