ACCORDING to famous American Civil Rights Activist and poet, Maya Angelou, “You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”
Maya Angelou’s words resonates with Guyanese Robert Bynoe, the country’s National High Jump record holder, as he yesterday donated a quantity of running shoes to the Super Upcoming Runners Track Club, Titans United Athletic Club and Running Brave Athletic Club.
Set in April of 1995, Bynoe’s 2.17 metres high jump record, 25 years later still firmly stands, but speaking to reporters, the former Savannah State University student-athlete was adamant, that it was because of his foundation in Guyana and all his life-lessons as an athlete, he decided to ‘pay it forward’.
“As a young man, not coming from the wealthiest of families, I was happy to have my talent recognised and fostered by some very generous people that helped me along my journey. Without them, I may not have existed. That is why I’m delighted to make this presentation to the young athletes,” Bynoe stated.
Bynoe, as a student of St Rose’s High School, dominated the high jump event at the National Schools Championships. In fact, his leap of 2.03 metres, while competing for North Georgetown/District 11, still stands.
“I fully understand the needs of our local athletes and I know first-hand what education and opportunity can bring. I stand here today having benefited from the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana’s network, the organisation’s resourcefulness, diligent coaches and a lot of improvising on my part due to the lack of facilities,” Bynoe said.
The now 44-year-old who went on to have an outstanding career representing the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in Georgia, said he’s “happy to see that we’re turning the corner in a different era and the athletes have a lot more going for themselves and support today. I hope that this donation will help the athletes get to the next level, be competitive and also to encourage other former athletes to pay it forward.”
Meanwhile, Aubrey Hutson, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) thanked Bynoe for his contribution to the clubs and athletes, calling it “timely,” adding “right now we’re into the cross-country season so they’re going to come in very, very handy for athletes who will be going out there to train and compete.”
“We’re very honoured to know that we have in our presence, still the record-holder at high jump. What we’re looking for in this sport are people that our athletes can reach out too and see these people whom we have as our record holder,” the AAG boss related.
Hutson said AAG, in an effort to preserve the rich history of Track and Field in Guyana, will be “moving into a realm now where we will have portraits of our athletes put up into the schools that they’re coming from, so St Rose’s High will be blessed with a portrait of Robert Bynoe, the National record-holder at high jump.”
Bynoe has been working in the Oil and Gas sector in the US for a number of years and said he’s hoping to use his resources to further help in the development of Track and Field.
