When it comes to international participation, funding is a key aspect in getting athletes to their destination. While the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered this process for the AAG, the association will be looking to two entities for support.
Two international events, namely the South American Seniors and the Tokyo Olympics, are on the cards for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyanese athletes later this year.
However, as usual, funding will play a huge role in the preparation and execution of this goal.
AAG President Aubrey Hutson
AAG President Aubrey Hutson shared that following their last meet, which was hosted at the Leonora Track and Field Facility exactly one week ago, the AAG is now in a position to assess athletes’ performances and present a corresponding budget to get its Olympics plans underway.
“With COVID in mind, we could not have put a budget together per se, because we don’t know how many athletes we’re going to look at. We didn’t want to go too early and say we have three athletes, and then next thing you know ten of them start showing progress,” Hutson explained.
The AAG President went on to shed some more light on the selection method by stating, “After this developmental meet, I will sit down with the executives and their coaches’ body and take a realistic view of our athletes and where they are; and hence we can put a budget through to the GOA and also the Government of Guyana, in order to move the sport in that direction in terms of getting the athletes to the Olympics.”
Probed about any specialised training the AAG may want to offer to promising athletes ahead of the international stage, Hutson shared that those considerations will be made and included in whatever budget the AAG drafts.
When it comes to the biggest points’ earner for the Olympics, the South American Seniors, Hutson shared that although there is limited funding, the AAG is focused on sending athletes who are poised to qualify, or have already qualified, for the Olympics.
“I know almost every athlete would like to make it to South American (Seniors), but with limited funding, we’re going to ensure (we give consideration to) those athletes who are on ‘borderline qualifying’ for the Olympics, or those who would have made it already but need the South American as another stepping stone to gain good lane assignments going into the Olympic Games.
“The few names that are called are the few that would’ve shown us that they are ready, willing and prepared, and we hope that others would come on board.
Currently, the likes of Emmanuel Archibald, Akeem Stewart and Devaun Barrington are the locals under the microscope for Olympics’ participation.
While Leslain Baird is also a hopeful, it is unclear whether his torn knee ligament would hinder his Olympic qualification.
