LONE OLYMPIC-bound national cyclist Njisane Phillip will leave his base camp at Milton Velodrome, Canada, and fly en route to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 3, for the start of his second competitive campaign under the red, white and black banner.
Phillip was one of 32 Trinidad and Tobago athletes who were named by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C) yesterday to represent the twin-island republic at the XXXI Olympiad.
The 24-year-old speedster was the only local rider to qualify once more having produced commendable finishes at the previous UCI World Cup Series and World Track Cycling Championships.
The multiple national champion has been training alongside the Canadian team under guidance of former Olympic medallist Erin Hartwell, and local ace Elijah Greene (mechanic). David Francis was also named as Phillip’s manager for the campaign.
Speaking to step-father of the cyclist, Phillip Whiteman, yesterday, on his admittance to the team, he revealed that Phillip is doing fine and counting down the days ahead of his second Olympic berth. “He is in a perfect mindset, physically great and progressing nicely,” said Whiteman. “He leaves (for Rio) with the Canadian team on August 3 and is ready to compete. Njisane is in a very good training atmosphere as he is away from all the distraction.” Track Cycling at the Games rides off on August 11. Phillip will begin his Men’s Sprint journey in the Flying 200m (qualifier) as he attempts to move on to the second round of competition and better his historic fourth place showing at the 2012 London Games.