GOA elated with Pan Am Games performances – Munroe

On Sunday last, Guyana concluded their outing at the 2023 Pan American Games with a 3-medal haul, a feat that the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is happy with.
As told by President Godfrey Munroe, there were also a number of commendable performances and inspiring stories, with the medals being the cherry on top.
“I think we’re truly elated, from the Guyana Olympic Association side, about the team’s performance. One of the unique aspects of sports in Guyana is that we were able to qualify 9 disciplines. That’s tremendous, because it shows that we have a strong sports programme,” Munroe shared in an invited comment with Guyana Times Sport.
He went on to break down some performances, stating, “Ultimately, at the Pan American level is a very high level. We saw a lot that we could build on if we go along the sports disciples. We had the girl from taekwondo, Ceili; she narrowly lost her match 2-1. We had a young lifter, Krystol Chanderban, she showed great potential. There was also Shammah. You know, he was lifting above his kilograms.”

In hailing the achievements of Guyana’s medalists at the Games, Munroe made a revelation that adds more inspiration to Leslain Baird’s triumph. The GOA President divulged, “In the realm of the athletics, I think that was the crowning one. Quite elated. I know for Javelin – historic in its nature – Leslain, in one point in time, people don’t know, but these are the stories that need to be told. [Leslain] was not even on the list to participate, then we were looking at, it was a mistake on the organizers side and the IAAF, in that his throw was still better than some of the other persons that qualified. So, that was pointed out, and we made the necessary representation. That could’ve been a missed medal.
“It was great to see Jasmine coming to the fore and winning. That, in our estimation, inspires a whole generation of athletes. In addition to Emanuel, you could’ve seen just by a couple seconds he missed out gold. So, a lot of building blocks for us, for which we’re truly elated. Shows us that we just need to put the other aspects in place,” he further related.
Munroe went on to reveal that rewards for outstanding performances are on the cards for the GOA, but noted that corporate entities can also play a role in that process.
“One of the key things we’d want to do also is reward those efforts. I think (that) as an Olympic Committee, we have to lead; and I think similarly Guyana and the corporate side and so on can help support these athletes as they move into the Olympic year, because a lot of investment will be necessary but quite enthused,” he shared.
With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and a number of other international events still to come, the GOA boss highlighted a few factors that can produce better results for Guyana’s athletes.
Munroe explained, “Facilities are a key pillar on which sport has to be played. I think Government is doing its part in that regard. It will take time. I think one of the key elements is, tactically, we’ve got to evolve, our athletes also, in terms of strategy. You know, the aspect of fitness is one, and the smarter science, nutrition.”
“Those are the things we’ve got to start moving to. We’ve actually started the sports medicine science workshop. We’re basically going to be working with the athletes doing baseline evaluation of where they are, working with nutritionists to see their particular diet, working with blood group testing and so on to see where nutritionally they’re lacking, and stuff like that. Good things to come, and we want to set these as foundational things that will move sport along,” he further disclosed.
Guyana’s medals at the Games came from Jasmine Abrams in the Women’s 100M, Emanuel Archibald in the Men’s 100M, and Leslain Baird in the Men’s Javelin. Guyana secured one silver and 2 bronze respectively. (Jemima Holmes)