Harmon pledges Govt’s commitment to Doris’s 2020 Olympic quest

The Government of Guyana is willing to pledge tangible support to Troy Doris on his journey to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

In April of this year, Doris, a US-based athlete, landed a triple jump gold at the Commonwealth Games in Australia which was the first for Guyana since Aliann Pompey claimed the women’s 400 metres title at the games in Manchester, England in 2002.
Doris’s performance on the Gold Coast and those of the past give him a realistic chance of medalling for Guyana at the 2020 Games, a feat that has not occurred for the country since Bantamweight boxer Michael Paris won Guyana a bronze medal in 1980.
At a courtesy call paid by Doris to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in the company of Director of Sport Christopher Jones, it was disclosed that support would be given to the jumper.
On the side-lines, Jones explained that Doris has submitted a document which contained the itinerary of activities he was seeking to attend to gain as much preparation as possible for the Games. The next step will be for Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for sport, Dr George Norton, to submit the proposal to Cabinet for approval.
More so, Harmon noted that when athletes do well, the country is duly publicised in a positive light.
“We want to assist them, since when they excel they do the nation proud; they are not doing it for themselves, they do it for the country and when you see the flag up high, it is a proud moment,” the Minister expressed.
The day also saw Doris being presented with the iconic cricket band and a special handcrafted pendant made by King’s Jewellery World. The Ministry of the Presidency also gave Doris plaques in appreciation of his achievements.
Today, Doris is expected to visit Bartica, and also be a part of the country’s 52nd Independence celebrations on Friday before departing Guyana on Sunday.