Athletes get pre-race tips

AN AFTERNOON with Kristi Castlin – junior athletes get a few pre-race tips from the 100m hurdler.On the Camp Ayanganna ground, Castlin ran the athletes through a series of warm-up drills, explaining to them the techniques and benefits of the exercises.
On the interaction Castlin said, “It’s been great. You guys have a talented bunch of athletes.’ The coaches of the athletes were also on hand, watching from the sidelines.
They said the drills were not new to them, but some of the athletes who were not technically sound would have benefited from the session.
Castlin over three days visited the Leonora facility, interacted with coaches and athletes and paid a courtesy call on Minister of Sport, Dr Frank Anthony.
Public Relations Officer of the U.S. Embassy Georgetown, Bobby Adelson Jr. said the trip came off smoothly.
“I think Kristi has learnt a lot about Guyana and hopefully the people have learned from her visit.”
On future visits by sports personalities, Adelson said basketball and football (soccer) players may reach these shores.
Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony said there has been positive feedback from Castlin’s visit. It was used as a stimulus to spark interest in the hurdles event and athletics as a whole.
He said overtime, government plans to bring experts from other countries to work along with coaches to introduce all track and field events.
In the near future, the Sport Ministry hopes to extend its bi-lateral arrangement with Cuba, to have track and field coaches live and work here. But it may not be limited to Cuba the minister noted.
Dr Anthony said a tender has been put out for the supply of a few million dollars’ worth of equipment for the Leonora facility.
Castlin, a 100m hurdler is hoping to medal at the Rio Olympics in Brazil 2016.

(By Leeron Brumell)