– athletes set eyes on Olympic qualification
WITH the Olympic qualification deadline looming at the end of June, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) anticipates fierce competition at the upcoming Senior Track and Field Championships. The event, to be held at the National Track and Field Facility on West Coast Demerara, on June 15-16, is seen as one of the last chances for Guyanese athletes to secure their spot in Paris.
No Guyanese athlete has yet met the Olympic qualifying standards. However, the prospect of achieving their Olympic dreams is expected to fuel exceptional performances. Acting AAG President, Sheryl Hermonstine, highlighted the return of roughly 13 Guyanese athletes residing overseas to compete in this prestigious event. The competition will also feature four Trinidadian athletes, bringing the total number of participants to 200.
“We expect a highly competitive atmosphere,” Hermonstine said, emphasising the potential benefits for the sport’s development within Guyana. Competition Director, Mark Scott, echoed this sentiment, pointing to the local athletes’ eagerness to challenge their overseas counterparts.
The championships kick off at 10:00 hours on Saturday with the men’s 10,000m race.
100m semi-finals, the 1,500m finals, and the highly anticipated 100m finals will follow. The women’s 5,000m will also be contested on Saturday, while Sunday morning brings the long jump and a host of other events.
“We anticipate peak performances from everyone. This is an Olympic qualifier, so all the athletes will be aiming to deliver their absolute best,” Scott stated
Despite the high stakes, the AAG faces financial constraints. According to AAG General Secretary, James Cole, the top performer in each race will receive a G$15,000 prize, followed by G$10,000 and G$5,000 for second and third places, respectively.
While the AAG acknowledges some support from the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission, Cole emphasises the need for more attractive prize money to incentivise Guyana’s premier senior athletes.
The AAG is calling on the corporate community to step up and support this crucial event.
Will the pursuit of Olympic glory be enough to ignite a fiercely competitive Senior Track and Field Championships?
The answer will unfold on the track at West Coast Demerara.
