Nine local and international athletes have been identified to represent Guyana at the South American Senior Championships in Ecuador. Eight of those athletes are being funded by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).
Following a series of talks with the Athletics Association of Guyana, the two Associations came up with the list of athletes who would participate in the South American Senior Championships in hopes of qualifying for the fast-approaching Tokyo Olympics. The selectors’ focus was on the highest ranking local and international Guyanese athletes.
GOA President, K.A Juman-Yassin, announced the names of those selected on Saturday morning at the GOA’s Headquarters at Liliendaal.
“We have decided to name the persons whom we will issue tickets for, and those persons are: Arinze Chance, Andrea Foster, Jasmine Abrams, Emmanuel Archibald, Quamel Prince, Winston George, Noelex Holder, and the next person, we gave that option to the AAG to fit in that person with the relay team,” Juman-Yassin announced.
GOA President, K A Juman-Yassin with AAG President, Aubrey Hutson and Andrea Foster
In addition to those athletes named, Jeremy Bascombe, who has been a force locally, has been identified to attend the Games to complete a budding 4x100M relay team.
This move, according to Athletic Association of Guyana President Aubrey Hutson, is geared at increasing Guyana’s representation at the Games.
“Last Olympics in Rio, we…sent 4 athletes or we…had 4 qualifiers, and it’s our objective to get at least six in Tokyo. And also, we’re looking to have at least one person in the finals. With the current crop of athletes we have, we know this is possible, so it’s not anything far-reaching,” Hutson explained.
Besides Bascombe, Mark Jhallu will have the opportunity to compete in Ecuador.
“One other member of the team too that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has decided to sponsor, I don’t necessarily know if it’s through the finances of the GDF or through private sponsorship, but Mark Jhallu, the high jumper, has been showing very, very good promise and progress,” Hutson disclosed.
The AAG boss shared further on Jhallu’s prospects, “He comfortably would do 2.10. We know in competition he would do 2.15. with him doing that without the necessary level of competition in Guyana, I think sending him to the South American Championships is going to be a good test for him, for where he stands internationally.”
Explaining that athletes like Jasmin Abrams, Emmanuel Archibald and Andrea Foster are among the top athletes in South America for their various events, Huston emphasised that the entire team has been selected on merit.
“Please note that it’s just not a case where we closed our eyes or tossed a coin and picked this team. It’s their performance that would have earned them the points.” He explained. “Please understand that once she goes to South America and retains that first place, that will garner enough points to get (her) to Tokyo.”
The team of athletes would be assisted by coach Johnny Gravesande and Kenisha Headley, who will be the designated team manager and technical coach respectively. Their travel expenses would also be sponsored by the GOA.
GOA Vice President Dr. Karen Pilgrim has advised the soon-to-travel athletes to complete antidoping courses before their travels, and urged them to take the COVID-19 vaccines.
“All of our athletes should know that when they’re representing GOA, they’re required to do antidoping education within that year. Of course COVID threw everything topsy-turvy last year, but the WADA online platform Adel antidoping e-learning has a multitude of courses specifically targeting the Olympics. So, I’m just alerting athletes, coaches and other personnel,” Dr. Pilgrim warned.
Andrea Foster, one of the chosen athletes, expressed gratitude to the GOA for their support. She stated, “I just want to say a heartfelt ‘Thank you again’ to the GOA for seeing it necessary in helping the athletes like myself and others to have the opportunity to compete at the South American Games. It is in our best interest to work towards our goals.”
The South American Championships, after being moved from Argentina, will be hosted in Ecuador from May 29 – 31st.
