PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Top Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste has pulled out of this weekend’s IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas for personal reasons, officials here have announced.
Baptiste was part of a 23-athlete T&T contingent for the games, announced by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) last week. A release from the NAAA announcing her withdrawal, dismissed suggestions that it was related to her recently completed 21 month ban for doping.
“Her withdrawal is not related to any prior issue and is merely to allow her to address urgent personal matters,” the statement said.
“Ms. Baptiste has been enjoying an excellent season and her presence in the Bahamas would have significantly improved the chances of our 4x100m women’s team (claiming gold). Notwithstanding, our country is being represented by a strong team and all athletes are expected to give of their best.”
Public relations officer (PRO) at the NAAA, Peter Samuel, has insisted that her decision to withdraw is for personal reasons. “I know that people are coming to all kinds of conclusions out of it,” Samuels said in a telephone interview.
“But I can guarantee that this has nothing to do with previous issues”. Baptiste was absent at the inaugural World Relays last year but T&T’s 4x100m women’s team secured bronze after clocking 42.66 seconds, behind USA (41.88) and Jamaica (42.28).
Baptiste posted 10.98 seconds to win the 100m at the recent Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.
