….Guyana’s National high jump record holder – Robert Bynoe

TRACK and Field is more than just a past-time for many Guyanese. The country, though missing out on an Olympic Medal in the sport, can still boast of several athletes who represented Guyana with distinction and with considerable amount of success on the international stage.
Recently, Chronicle Sport’s Rawle Toney sat down with National high jump record holder, Robert Bynoe, who highlighted his journey from Track and Field, where he holds Guyana’s National high jump record (2.17 metres) to becoming a Senior Crude Accountant at Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI) Petroleum in Houston, Texas.

1. Who is Robert Bynoe?
Robert Dave Bacchus-Bynoe was born at Georgetown Public Hospital and grew up in Robb Street, Georgetown. I attended Charles Nursery School, St. Andrew’s Primary School, Brickdam Secondary School and St. Rose’s High School. I wrote CXC at Brickdam Secondary School and went to Sixth Form at St Rose’s High School.
I attended Georgia State University and Savannah State University where I completed Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Computer Information Systems and Accounting. I then completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in International Business and Project Management at Louisiana State University.

2. Tell us about your journey in Track and Field.
My father Gregory Bynoe was a sprinter in his day so he always encouraged me to start running. I started running in primary school. My path to high jumping was a bit unorthodox.
I was a Boy Scout, taking a First Aid Course at the Guyana Red Cross. On the day of the final exam, I arrived early and saw an athlete jumping at Eve Leary. I asked her where do I learn to do that and she said told me about Atoms Athletic Club.

I joined the Club at 15 years old and learned to jump. I started competing at the Guyana Teachers Union Athletics Championships (Nationals), excelled, setting several field records in high, long and triple jumps. I went on to successfully represent Guyana at the CARIFTA Games in 1994 and 1995 in the high jump event., winning bronze and silver medals respectively and establishing the Guyana National junior and senior high jump record at 2.17 metres which stands until today.

I also represented Guyana and medalled at several regional meets notably, the Inter-Guiana Games, South American Junior Championships, Central American and Caribbean Junior Games and the Hampton Games. In 1996, I was awarded an International Olympic Committee scholarship to attend their training facility outside of Atlanta in La Grange, Georgia after which I won a track scholarship to attend Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. I represented Savannah State in the decathlon and high jump – winning the decathlon at the conference meet in 2000. I graduated that year with dual Bachelor Degrees.

3 – How does it feel being a National record holder; a record that still stands 25 years after being set?
I feel gratified that my hard work paid off. I worked very hard to break and hold the national high jump record for Guyana. I’m honoured that the record still stands because it says that I’ve set the bar high for the current crop of high-jumpers to surpass.

4 – How much did Track and Field help you in your journey throughout life?
Track and Field taught me determination, discipline and diligence – lessons that I apply in everything I do today. Training back then in Guyana in an environment where facilities were limited, taught me to improvise and think outside of the box. These are lifelong lessons that have been invaluable to me in my professional career.

5 – You’re a player in the Oil and Gas Industry; tell us about your career and how can or will Guyana benefit through your contribution.
I have over two decades of back-office experience working in Oil and Gas sector – primarily in a variety of Risk and Accounting roles. In my current role as a Senior Crude Accountant at ENI Petroleum in Houston, Texas, I manage settlement, reconciliations, and financial reporting functions for International and Domestic Crude Oil. I’ve worked for several multi-national companies over the years including Shell and British Petroleum.
I would like to return to Guyana to work in a Risk or Accounting back-office role where I can leverage my strong, cross-commodity background in Natural Gas, Crude and Power.

6 – How important is it to have a balance in Education and Sports and how much are you willing to assist this young generation of athletes.
It’s important to balance education and sports because the next level of development for local athletes would be at the collegiate level in the Caribbean and North America. To gain acceptance to colleges and universities, you need to be not only an outstanding athlete but also a good student.
I will continue to make donations when I can, similar to the one I made today. I would like to be able to make an annual donation. Additionally, I am happy to share my collegiate journey and insights from my college experiences with young athletes who are aspiring to compete at the collegiate level.

7 – What’s next for you and your role in Guyana’s new economic landscape?
I’m hoping to re-migrate to Guyana in the very near future and explore some personal business initiatives, in addition to looking for ways to contribute in the Oil and Gas sector, in a Risk Management or Accounting role.