Tamarri Lindo and his family who are facing deportation to Jamaica next week.
CTV National News
Tamarri Lindo, a standout track athlete from York University in Canada, finds himself grappling with the looming threat of deportation just as his Olympic aspirations reach a critical juncture. Despite his impressive athletic achievements, including a recent bronze medal in the 60-metre hurdles for York University at the national collegiate championships, Lindo's dreams of representing Canada at the upcoming Olympics are in peril.
Tamarri's journey to Canada began in 2019 when he and his family fled Jamaica due to alleged threats and violence linked to his father George Lindo's political activism against gang influence in support of the opposition party. Tamarri, who has excelled both academically and athletically, earned a Ca.$2,500 scholarship after catching the eye of scouts while in high school.
"My goal was to make the 2024 Paris Olympics. But now, it feels like everything is being taken away," Lindo lamented in an emotional interview with CTV National News. "I feel like I could have a mental health breakdown. My heart is sinking."
Despite providing evidence of threats and violence faced in Jamaica, the Lindo family's asylum claims have been denied multiple times by Canadian immigration officials. The most recent pre-removal risk assessment, conducted in March 2023, upheld previous decisions, prompting the Canada Border Services Agency to issue a deportation order scheduled for next week.
Immigration lawyer Aidan Simardone, advocating for the Lindo family, has filed for a judicial review as their final recourse to remain in Canada. He condemned the decision, highlighting the potential danger awaiting the Lindos if forced to return to Jamaica.
"The fact that they are doing this is unconscionable," Simardone asserted. "It goes against our Canadian values of providing people their fair opportunities and protection to those in danger in other countries."
For Tamarri, who hoped his athletic achievements would bolster his family's case for residency, the uncertainty looms heavily. As he faces the imminent threat of deportation, he remains hopeful for a successful appeal while continuing to train and pursue his athletic goals amidst the uncertainty that surrounds his family's future in Canada.
As the legal battle unfolds, supporters have rallied behind the Lindo family, advocating for a reconsideration of their case and hoping for a resolution that allows them to remain in Canada and for Tamarri to pursue his Olympic dreams.
Noah Lyles sprints to victory at USA National Championships, secures spot in 2024 Paris Olympics
Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion, secured his place at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a stunning victory in the 100m dash at the USA National Championships on Sunday. Clocking in at a blistering 9.83 seconds (0.4), Lyles dominated the field at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, demonstrating his readiness to chase Olympic gold.
Lyles only previous Olympic medal was a 200m bronze from Tokyo, but he heads to Paris bolstered by his remarkable achievements at the World Championships in Budapest last year, where he won gold in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.
Lyles was followed by Kenny Bednarek, primarily known for his prowess in the 200m, who finished with a personal best of 9.87 seconds. The 2022 world champion, Fred Kerley, took third place with a time of 9.88 seconds. Just missing out on the Olympic team, world indoor champion and 2019 world 100m gold medallist Christian Coleman finished fourth, clocking 9.93 seconds.
The day was also marked by an extraordinary performance from 16-year-old Quincy Wilson. In the 400m semi-finals, Wilson shattered his own under-18 world record, lowering it from 44.66 seconds to an impressive 44.59 seconds, demonstrating his prodigious talent and setting the stage for an exciting future in athletics.
In the women’s 400m, Kendall Ellis emerged victorious with a time of 49.46 seconds, followed closely by Aaliyah Butler (49.71) and Alexis Holmes (49.78), both of whom secured their places on the Olympic team.
Sha'Carri Richardson books spot at Paris Olympics with world-leading 10.71 at US trials
In a stunning display of speed and focus, World 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson secured her place at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the 100m at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday night. With a world-leading time of 10.71 seconds, Richardson dominated the competition, cementing her status as an early favourite for Olympic gold.
Richardson's final at Hayward Field started with an intense stare-down, a marked departure from her exuberant salutes to the crowd in earlier heats. This newfound focus paid off spectacularly, as Richardson blazed down the track to clinch victory and her first Olympic berth.
Joining her on the plane to Paris are training partners Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, who finished second and third with times of 10.80 and 10.89 seconds, respectively. Jefferson's time was a lifetime best.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Richardson's career, especially after the disappointment of missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a suspension for marijuana use. She acknowledged the struggles she has faced, saying, "Everything I've been through is everything I have been through to be in this moment right now. There's nothing I've been through that hasn't designed me to sit right here in front of you to answer this question."
Richardson's resurgence has been marked by notable achievements, including winning the 100m at the world championships in Budapest last summer with a personal best of 10.65 seconds. She also anchored the US 4x100 relay team to victory.
Richardson's next goal is to qualify for the 200m. She enters the event with the third-fastest qualifying time, behind Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas and 2024 NCAA champion McKenzie Long. The first-round heats for the women's 200m are scheduled for Thursday.
Before Richardson's electrifying performance, Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion at 100m, ran his preliminary heat in 9.92 seconds, the fastest time in the first round of men's qualifying. Christian Coleman also advanced winning his heat in 9.99 while Fred Kerley ran 10.02 to also advance.
Sada Williams secures Olympic spot with dominant 400m win at Barbados National Championships
Two-time World Championship 400m bronze medallist Sada Williams has booked her place at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a commanding victory at the 2024 Dasani Powerade Barbados National Championships on Saturday night. Competing at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex just outside Bridgetown, Williams, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion, showcased her class by cruising to victory in the 400m with a time of 51.36 seconds.
Williams' performance was head and shoulders above her competitors. She finished more than two seconds ahead of Tiana Bowen, who clocked 53.67 for second place, and Kelia Bentham, who was more than five seconds back, finishing in 57.00 seconds. Despite the largely underwhelming performances across the board, Williams' victory has cemented her as the standout athlete likely to represent Barbados at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.
In the men's 400m race, Desean Boyce emerged victorious with a time of 46.25 seconds, narrowly beating Rahee Taitt-Best, who finished second in 46.58. Jahlee Armstrong completed the podium, coming in third with a time of 46.85 seconds.
The blue-riband 100m sprints saw thrilling finishes in both the men's and women's categories. Mario Burke triumphed in the men's 100m, clocking 10.38 seconds into a headwind of 1.3m/s, edging out Kuron Griffith who finished a hair's breadth behind at 10.39 seconds. Ajani Ince secured third place with a time of 10.44 seconds.
On the women's side, Tristian Evenlyn claimed the national title by breaking Ashley Marshall's national record of 11.37 seconds, set in 2015, with a remarkable time of 11.30 seconds. Kishawna Niles took the silver medal in 11.51 seconds, while Aniya Nurse finished third in 11.72 seconds.
In the 100m hurdles, Adeyah Brewster became the national women's champion by winning the event in 13.60 seconds. She was followed by Ayanna Morgan, who clocked 13.84 seconds, and Makyla Smith, who finished in 15.99 seconds.
Williams' stellar performance in the 400m has not only earned her a spot in the upcoming Olympics but has also reinforced her status as one of Barbados' premier athletes. As the nation looks ahead to the Paris Games, Williams' achievements will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration and pride.
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