Cheers turned to cries of "foul" when the Trinidad and Tobago team walked the Olympic track at yesterday opening ceremony in London for what seemed like much less screen time than their peers.

A thick crowd gathered on the Brian Lara Promenade, Independence Square, outside Express House, Port of Spain, to view the ceremony on both the One Caribbean Media (OCM) public screen and a mobile big-screen from Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, also placed on a truck outside Express House.

Eagerly awaiting the local team's appearance in the parade of countries participating in the world's biggest and most prestigious sporting event, the crowd went wild at the sight of the T&T flag, borne by sprinter Marc Burns.

Many leapt to their feet to clap and cheer, while some waved rags from an earlier Bmobile giveaway.

The joy was short and followed by shouts of, "Wha' happen dey?" and "How they cut we so?" as, within seconds, the cameras left the local team and focussed on other random activities at the stadium.

"I am so proud, but I can't believe they cut us off like that," said Kevin Harris, of Diego Martin. Harris said he delayed heading home because he did not want to miss the first live viewing of the local team.

"That was unfair. It is obvious they are giving other teams real play. Look how the cameras are lingering on individuals in the some of the other teams.

Seven-year-old Isaiah Joseph, of Laventille, was thrilled by the action. "I feel very proud," little Isaiah said, in the company of his mother, Eisha Humphrey, who expressed patriotic pride.

Others had similar feelings. "I feel proud," said Carmella DeLeon, of Curepe. "But definitely not enough time on screen."