By Tamica Garnett

AS they seek to continue to develop athletics in Guyana, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) yesterday announced that they will be working along with a number of former eminent athletes, including national record holder James Wren-Gilkes. Wren-Gilkes, who is currently in Guyana discussing further plans with the two entities, was also yesterday presented with a commemorative plaque by president of the GOA, K. A. Juman-Yassin, for his “historic” and “significant” contributions to athletics in Guyana, during a press conference held at Olympic House.
“I want to say how happy, pleased and honoured we are to have him in Guyana. We hope to form a cooperation with himself, and others, working along with the GOA. I am certain that he will bring to the young athletes coming up a little bit more.” Juman-Yassin said.
Still the current holder of Guyana’s 200m with a time of 20.14s, Gilkes was one of Guyana’s most renowned athletes representing Guyana well during the 1970s.
He won gold and silver at the Pan American Games men’s 200m in 1975 and 1979 respectively. He also stands with a silver medal from his performance in the 200m at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
Wren-Gilkes was highly touted to medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, before the Guyana team at that Olympics withdrew their participation after Guyana joined the African boycott over New Zealand’s rugby team’s tour of apartheid South Africa.
The Guyana team had pulled out of the Olympics the day just before he was scheduled to run. Though the world-ranked sprinter tried to apply to participate at the Olympics unattached, his request was subsequently denied.
Wren-Gilkes noted yesterday, that looking at the Guyana athletics lineup for this year’s Olympics compared to our potential 40 years ago much work is needed.
“Since after 1976 we have declined. I was disappointed to see that the Olympic is right next door and we are not able to have a full team there, but we hope come Tokyo (Olympics) the numbers will increase.” Wren-Gilkes remarked.
Guyana’s athletics team to this year’s Rio Olympics, thus far, comprises four athletes who have qualified in various events namely Winston George (men’s 400m), Brenessa Thompson (women’s 100m, 200m), Troy Doris (men’s triple jump) and Aaliyah Abrams (women’s 400m).
Wren-Gilkes, who was also an athletics coach for over 30 years, said he is looking forward to working along with the athletes and coaches in Guyana
“This has been in the works for some time. What our purpose is, more or less, is to encourage the young athletes. I have seen some promising athletes. The talent is here, it just has to do with the coaching and the support. And we want to provide the encouragement and financial support to get them to the next level.” Wren-Gilkes said
Also present at yesterday’s press conference were former Guyanese athletes Gordon Lewis and David Thomas, who both pledged their support to work along with the sports organisations in Guyana for the betterment of athletics in Guyana.
“Our mission and goal is to help, not only in Guyana but to help athletes overseas. See if we can bring the overseas athletes over here even, so they can get a feel, a taste of the flavour, of what it feels like to run in Guyana.” they said.
President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, for his part said that he wants to see athletics in Guyana get back to the level that is was back in the 1970s.
“The AAG would like to emulate the programme that was in place then. I think we can get back to the days of the James Wren-Gilkes.” Hutson said.