By Alexander Bruzual Tuesday, August 7 2012

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Proud Trinbagonian: Lalonde Gordon proudly displays a national flag after winning a bronze medal in the men's 400 metres sprint final of the Olympic G...

Finally!

This was the reaction by most persons along South Quay, Port-of-Spain, yesterday afternoon following Lalonde Gordon’s Olympic performance which earned him a bronze medal in the men’s 400 metres sprint final in London.

Persons lined the Brian Lara Promenade and crowded several bars and restaurants including D’Bocas and Mangoes, at about 4.45 pm to catch a glimpse of the race.

At the time however, most people seemed doubtful of Gordon’s chances at winning. This all changed within seconds as the young man secured himself as the third fastest man in the final.

As the race began, people kept their eyes peeled on the runner in lane four, and several sighs were heard as realisation set in that Gordon, who hails from Lowlands, Tobago, was trailing behind his other competitors. But within seconds, as the athlete approached his final leg of the race, Gordon seemingly found a burst of energy and raced past most of his fellow sprinters.

The reactions of the onlookers immediately morphed from silence to loud, booming cheers of encouragement and as Gordon crossed the finish line behind Kirani James, who won Grenada’s first gold medal and Luguelin Santos, of the Dominican Republic, who won silver, their excitement could not be contained.

“That man right there. That man is a runner. He come all the way from behind and clock in the top three? He beat them boys in the last legs, when men was getting tired, he just burst with energy. I am so glad he win his medal. This is our first medal for the entire Olympics. And I expect great things from him in the future,” explained Russell Samuel from Belmont.

“It is about time. We finally win one. And the ironic part? We win in a race that I wasn’t expecting us to. That man was like the dark horse of the race. He came out of nowhere and shocked us all. I am very proud of him. He ran a hard race, and he did represented his country on the grandest stage of all. I am very proud of him,” said Brent Anthony of Curepe.

“Finally! Finally! Finally! We win one. I am just glad we win one. I was starting to wonder if we were going to win any but that boy kept up the tradition and brought us back a medal and I am very glad for it. Since Ato (Boldon) this country always medalling in the Olympics and thanks to Gordon, that tradition continues. I absolutely cannot wait for relays tomorrow (today) now!” said Elli Ashbey of West-

moorings.