Constant competition important for athletics restart

While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on sports, Athletics Association of Guyana President Aubrey Hutson is confident that constant competition will get athletes ready for international competition in the next two years.
The Athletics Association of Guyana has restarted their track activities and so far, the results have been fruitful. However, with the Olympics, trials and other international competitions scheduled for 2021, the national athletes will need a lot of competition time.

“While I can more speak of the athletes who have been here, locally, yes it has been a setback because competition is a test, it tends to sometimes bring out the best in you. It tells you exactly where you are and what you need to go back to the drawing board to do and what you coach needs to fix with you,” Hutson explained.
He further stated, “So, it has been a setback. We had one qualifier thus far and we’ve tapered our calendar in such a manner to give them maximum opportunity early in the year.”
While noting that competition is a test, the AAG boss shared that they are most focused on getting athletes in tip-top shape for the Olympics. As such, he revealed plans for some important local competitions next year.
“Our national seniors will be run off, I think, late April and then South American seniors in late May. So we’re hoping that particularly those two competitions will give them enough points to get into the Olympics, which I think is in July,” Hutson envisioned.
The following year, Guyana is slated to host the 50th edition of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games. This will be the first time Guyana is hosting and according to Hutson, talks with the Minister of Sport on Guyana’s preparation have been fruitful.
“I must say I’m very encouraged by the response from the Government of Guyana and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. He’s sold on this idea and we really would like to see it happen, so we’re working now on getting the stadium ready for hosting this event,” he revealed.
The AAG boss also emphasised the importance of having a great showing in Guyana for the 2022 games, noting that it is important to show that Guyana is capable of hosting a competition of such nature.
The AAG is gearing up for another event on Sunday, which will take on a 10K. (Jemima Holmes)