‘A selfless gesture to go out and represent Guyana’

– Hutson praises 4X100 team and other athletes

By Jemima Holmes

Upon the return of some of the locally based athletes from the South American Senior Athletics Championships, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, had nothing but commendations to shower on them, following their historic medal haul.
With a focus on Guyana’s first Men’s 4x100m outing, which went well, Hutson underscored the significance during a media engagement on Thursday.
“Two of the athletes are local based, two of them based overseas, and the two that are based overseas one is in Jamaica and the other one is in the USA. I think we need to give compliments to the coach who went along with this team, in first and foremost setting it in terms of the order. And also, the athletes themselves for executing themselves over a short period of time of being together,” the AAG President gushed.
He continued explaining, “What this has done, this would have improved the ranking of Guyana as a four by one country, not necessarily athletes, because when they go out there and compete as a relay team, they compete for Guyana, so, we could grab another four, and they will still have the same recognition as this four would have had.
“So, it’s a kind of a selfless gesture to go there and compete for your country and be able to bring home a bronze medal for Guyana. Guyana now has moved up in the threshold and the Ranking of World athletics of having a good four-by-one team,” Hutson declared.
The other athletes were not absent from Hutson’s praises, as he commended them for their personal achievements.
“I think every athlete who went out there did something great for themselves. There are those who would have earned medals, and those who would have given us their season bests, and that kind of stuff,” the Athletics boss shared.
In a bid of gratitude, he said, “Well, once again, I must thank the Ghana Olympic Association under the stewardship of Mr. Juman Yassin for the kind of support that he would have given to us the Track and Field Association.”
In addition to Hutson, present at the gathering were athletes and Team Manager Kenisha Headley, who noted that the team was an easy one to work with.
“Our team was very success successful because the entire team went out with a plan, they went out with their goal, managing this team was not a very difficult task, because each individual athlete had a personal goal that they would have set for themselves going into these games,” Headley told the media.
“So, my tasks as a manager, was just to ensure that they were in their events, in their events on time, made sure that they were comfortable in their environment, both at the hotel and at the track and they just went out there and they execute.”
Speaking about his experience, in his first outing as a National athlete, Noelex Holder, assured that he is ready to get out on the international circuit again.
“Going into the event, I felt at home there. Though, I was meeting some of the athletes for the first time before like I’ve known him all my life. So going into the event, it was comfortable and throughout it was a great experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity. And waiting to go again,” an elated Holder shared.
Also donning his bronze medal from the relay, Akeem Stewart chronicled the experience as a valuable one.
“I think the experience that we have gained there can only propel us to do better. The aim was to attend the gold medal. However due to slight mishaps we were placed down to bronze which is still in my book a very good accomplishment. Seeing this is our first major four by one representing Guyana,” Stewart said.
While Devaun Barrington was unable to make the podium, he was quite satisfied with his achievements.
“Having not competed at high level for almost two years, and going out there and achieve just outside of my personal best was a good stepping stone, it shows to me as Mr. Hutson would like, like to say, age is just a number. And I want to again thank the AAG for having the faith in me, for having shortlisted me.”
The athletes’ next outing on the track will come on the weekend of June 18-20, as they participate in Guyana’s Senior Track and Field Championships. Theis competition is expected to be used as a points earner for the July 23- August 8 Tokyo Olympics.
And, on the word of Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President K.A. Juman Yassin, any athlete that qualifies for the international event, will see sponsorship from the GOA.
“And I want to say that any athlete who qualifies and who goes on their own, to any meet to qualify. Once they qualify, GOA will cover their expenses,” Yassin assured.