All the International athletes that were expected to grace these shores for the inaugural Aliann Pompey Invitational are here.
The athletes including Guyanese Olympic Games qualifiers Brenessa Thompsona (100m and 200m) and Winston George (400m) were yesterday presented to the media at the board room of the Princess Ramada Hotel on the eve of the biggest track and field meet to shot off at the National Track & Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The athletes, especially the ones with Guyanese roots spoke of their excitement at having the opportunity to participate at this event and run on Guyana’s soil in front of a Guyanese crowd.
Most of the athletes spoke confidently of running fast times and using the meet to qualify for the upcoming Rio Olympic Games.
From left Adam Harris, Winston George, Jeremy Bascom, Aliann Pompey, Louanna Abrams, Brenessa Thompson and Kadecia Baird
Organizer of the meet four times Olympian Aliann Pompey told the media that the event is her way of getting things going. “I’m from here (Guyana) and I always feel that we are just as good as everyone else but we don’t get as much opportunities to show that…this is my way of saying we need to get going,” said Pompey.
The first of 15 event starts at 15:00 hrs and admission is $1,000. Sponsors of the event include Digicel 4G, Fly Jamaica, Quality Plus Fast Foods and Bakery, Ramada Princess Hotel, GUYSUCO and Banks DIH under their Rainforest water and Powerade sports drink brands.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge is scheduled to close to road traffic (open to ocean going vessels) at 14:30 hrs for a period of approximately 90 minutes so those desirous of attending the international track and field meet are urged to cross before 14:30 Hrs. Crossing from Stabroek to Vreed-en-Hoop with the speed boat is another option.
