In a display of recognition, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) made history by granting a sum exceeding $1 million to the quartet that left an indelible mark at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

This extraordinary demonstration of support took place at Olympic House, Lilliendaal, yesterday where the distinguished figures of the GOA honored track prodigy, Tianna Springer, along with Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, and Javon Roberts.

These athletes were rewarded for their record-breaking, gold medal-winning performance in the mixed 4x400m relay event held during the previous month in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tianna Springer, aged 15, not only secured the individual women’s 400m gold medal but also played a crucial role in anchoring the team to victory.

She was granted a reward of $500,000.

Half of this amount was allocated to McPherson, who also clinched the bronze in the women’s 400m final.

Austin, the silver medallist in the men’s 400m final, received an award of $350,000, while Roberts was granted $100,000.

The journey’s mentors, Julian Edmonds and Mark Scott, were also honored with rewards of $50,000 each.

“Recognising athletes is a fundamental pillar of athlete development,” stated President of the GOA, Godfrey Munroe. He also announced that CAC 100m gold medallist, Emanuel Archibald, will also receive recognition upon returning to Guyana.

“As leaders, we strongly believed in the necessity of honouring you,” Munroe expressed to the beaming and talented young individuals. “You have ignited inspiration in a nation and a generation. Your groundbreaking achievement should remind you to stay humble and disciplined. The sky’s the limit.”

The quartet of Guyanese athletes made a great impact at the Games by setting the track ablaze at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, outperforming their rivals and etching their names into the record books.

The quartet crossed the finish line in an astonishing three minutes 22.07 seconds, securing the coveted gold medal in record time.

In 2017, Australia had established a record of three minutes and 25.08 seconds in the Mixed 4x400m relay.

England (3:22.29), narrowly trailing behind Guyana, also surpassed Australia’s 2017 record time. Nigeria, victorious in the 4x100m mixed relay, secured the bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay finals.

The remarkable performance by these young track stars propelled Guyana’s overall medal tally to four at the seventh edition of the Games. Nevertheless, the journey was undoubtedly highlighted by Springer’s heroics in the individual 400m event, securing Guyana’s first gold medal at the Games.