Page 11 - Team TTO PARIS 2024

Roberts has very fond memories of that Tokyo outing. Sixty years later,
Mottley’s silver is still the country’s best 400 performance at the
Olympics. Lalonde Gordon is the only other T&T quarter-miler with an
Olympic 400 medal, his 2012 bronze earning him membership in the
elite club of two.

Asked to give an all-time list of T&T’s top quarter milers, Roberts
does not hesitate.

“First Wendell, then Kent.” In Roberts’ estimation, Mottley is
unchallenged for the number one ranking, with Bernard in second
spot. Jereem Richards, the 2022 world indoor champion, is listed
at number three.

Machel Cedenio, Ian Morris and Skinner are also on the all-time
list, though Roberts does not name them in any particular
order. “There’s Cedenio and Morris too. Skinner’s in there as
well. And Mike Paul was also good.

“As for me,” Roberts continues, “I’ll put myself in the top ten.”

An all-round sprinter with strong credentials in the 200 and
400 as well as the 100m dash, Roberts represented T&T
with distinction throughout the 1960s and into the early
70s. Thanks to his long international career, Roberts
teamed up with many other T&T quarter-milers in the
4x400m relay. He creates a special category, and lists
two of his teammates at the top.

“For smoothness and grace, effortless running, I have
Kent and Charlie Joseph.”

Roberts remains one of T&T’s most prolific athletes,
earning a combined 16 items of precious metal at
the Olympics, Pan American Games,
Commonwealth Games and Central American and
Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Six medals were earned in the 200m/220 yards,
six in the 4x400m/4x440 yards, two in the
100m/100 yards, and two in the 4x100m. Each
medal is treasured. The 1966 Commonwealth
Games 4x440 yards gold medal performance,
however, has a special place in his heart.

In 1962, George Kerr outdueled Roberts to
steer hosts Jamaica to CAC Games gold in
the 4x400m relay, the T&T quartet earning
silver. Four years later, again in Jamaica,
Roberts got his revenge. In 1962, he tried
to pass Kerr on the bend, but was halted
by an elbow.

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