Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Ayanna Alexander have been included in Trinidad and Tobago team for the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championships, set for Portland, Oregon, USA from March 17-20.
Baptiste, a double World Outdoor Championships bronze medallist, will join Michelle-Lee Ahye in the women's 60m while Alexander will compete in the women's triple jump. Baptiste attained the World Indoor qualifying standard of 7.32secs, 7.20 achieved on February 19.
The former national 60m indoor record holder is currently ranked 33rd in the World. Baptiste will be making her World Indoor debut. She was not named in the original nine member team. NAAA president and team manager Ephraim Serrette said Baptiste originally was not available for the the World Indoors but her coach Ato Boldon has since declared she has decided to compete.
Alexander will also be competing in her maiden first World Indoors. The 2010/2014 Commonwealth Games medallist gained a place in Portland from the IAAF although she did not achieved the World Indoor barrier of 14.30m.
However, with the recent change in IAAF World Championships selection procedure, the top sixteen athletes available after the deadline for qualification for the World Indoor Champs has passed with be eligible to compete. Alexander got the invitation as her season's best of 13.70m is among the top sixteen athletes available for Portland.
Charles Joseph will serve a coach and Zephyrinus NIcholas as physiotherapist. The team will depart on March 16.
T&T World Indoor team
Women
60m-Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kelly-Ann Baptiste
Shot put-Cleopatra Borel
Triple Jump- Ayanna Alexander.
Men
60m-Rondel Sorillo
400m-Lalonde Gordon, Deon Lendore, Jarrin Solomon
60m hurdles-Mikel Thomas
4x400m-Gordon, Lendore, Solomon, Machel Cedenio, Ade Alleyne-Forte
