World Javelin Champion breaks silence

WORLD JAVELIN CHAMPION, GRENADIAN ANDERSON PETERS HAS BROKEN HIS SILENCE for the first time since suffering a recent vicious physical assault at the hands of six Trinidadians employed on the ship ‘Harbour Master’.

Peters’ sibling, Kiddon Peters, was also targeted in the brutal assault by the six who were arrested and four were later charged and fined EC$5,500 each or face a one-year imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Teddie St Louie when they appeared in the St Georges Magistrates Court.

Those charged and fined were, John Alexander, Mikhail John, Noel Cooper and Sheon Jack. The court later dropped charges against Lance Wiggins, 45, Sailor of Cocorite, and Deckhand of Arima.

Anderson had little time to bask in his world championship glory after returning home in St Georges.

“The past few days have been a rollercoaster for me: from being excited to return home after two great competitions, to being quickly ripped of such excitement replaced with pain and discomfort,” he said in a social media post.

“I know that you’re all concerned about my well-being, so please know that I’m feeling better than I was in the immediate aftermath, but it will be a long road to full recovery,” the star athlete wrote.

The world-famous Caribbean athlete caught global attention by capturing gold at this year’s world championships, but his attention was quicky turned to concern for his sibling well-being who also suffered a similar fate from the aggression unleashed by the ‘Trinis’.

“I do ask for your positive thoughts to my brother, Kiddon Peters, who also suffered from this dehumanising act. It’s a very challenging time for us as a family; however, by God’s grace we know that things will get better.”

“On my behalf, and that of my family, I say thank you to all citizens of Grenada, all persons near and far who have expressed deep concerns since this occurrence. To all organisations, clubs and fraternities, thank you. Thank you for standing with me during this difficult time,” he noted.

The Grenada Olympic Association was among several bodies which condemned the heinous act blasting it as “cowardly” towards one of its sporting icons who stood at the top of the podium in the field event at the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championship in Eugene, in the United States.

“The Grenada Olympic Committee joins with all of Grenada in condemning these barbaric actions and looks forward to the relevant authorities taking decisive action against all the perpetrators,” the statement from the athletics body said.

The New National Party (NNP) had also denounced the physical assault on Peters. In a release the NNP spoke of its “dismay regarding an incident involving acts of violence meted out to our beloved double World Javelin Champion, Anderson Peters which occurred Wednesday 10th August, 2022”.
“Grenada is marked by its peaceful nature and without a doubt, we subscribe to the rule of law. We anticipate a swift judicial process and justice in accordance with the laws of Grenada,” the NNP said.

“To everyone who lent a hand and even risked their own safety on the night of the incident, thank you for all that you did. I especially thank my parents and family, my coach, my bank family, my club and my sports family for the outpouring of support. Thank you for praying, sending well-wishes and for reaching out in many ways to provide support,” the world champion’s statement said.