Pan American Games 2023: ‘Making event final’ is initial goal of Track Team

The first few disciplines having been completed, the next sport disciplines to expect competition from Guyanese athletes are Table Tennis and Track and Field.
With the entire 5-member track and field team already in Santiago, Chile, each member has had couple practice sessions under their belt ahead of the first two events scheduled for Monday.
Training under the careful eye of Johnny Gravesande, the Track athletes have rated their preparation as good heading into the Games.

“So far, its feeling good. Getting here a week before the competition start is getting us to acclimatize, and it’s giving us a good opportunity to get used to the tracks and so forth,” Sprinter Emanuel Archibald shared with this publication.
He expressed on the topic of acclimatization: “It’s not been that hard, it’s just a little cold; and it being cold, being here couple days before would get us ready by time Monday comes.”
Sprinter Keliza Smith shared, “Well, the preparation been going great so far. Training coming great so far. Well, I was watching her just now when she was doing starts and so far getting real competition, but I will try my best,” Smith added about training alongside and learning from the Abrams sisters.

As for the Abrams Sisters, Jasmine and Aliyah, both are in high spirits and ready to compete. “Preparation has been going good. For me, personally, I feel like I’m in good shape to go run possibly a PR or my season’s best this coming week. So, preparation has been going really good; everything feels good, and I’m ready to go,” Jasmine related.
Aliyah shared, “Feeling healthy, feeling strong, just ready to go out there and give it my all.”
When it comes to goals for this year’s Pan American Games, Archibald was the first to divulge that he is focused on making the finals of his events first, and then take it from there.
“No, just make the final first. When we make the finals first, then we move from there. One thing at a time,” Archibald responded to probes from Sport media operatives in Chile.

The goal seems to be a common one throughout the Guyanese track team.
Smith expressed about her intentions, “I want to run a personal best and make sure I reach in the finals.”
Jasmine Abrams stated, “As for me, mine is the same as my peers and my sister here. Making finals, possibly getting gold, silver, bronze, any type of medal! I’m sure all of us want to represent for Guyana and do our best at these Games.
“Yes! Absolutely! Making the final puts yourself in the best position to medal. So, that’s exactly what my goal is,” Aliyah added about the common goal.

Four of the five-member team will spring into action on Monday, October 30. Keliza Smith and Jasmine Abrams will compete in the Women’s 100M event, while Emanuel Archibald takes on the male version of the event. Jasmine Abrams will also compete in the Women’s 400M event. The fifth member of the team is Leslain Baird, who will be competing in the Men’s Javelin throw. (Jemima Holmes)