Fifteen-year-old Aleka Persaud is the youngest of seven athletes who will represent Guyana at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Aleka Persaud
Though it is no surprise for a teenager to qualify for the quadrennial event, Persaud’s ascension as Guyana’s swimming representative caught most off guard, owing to an International Swimming Federation (FINA) stipulation.
Jamila Sanmoogan was initially named, along with Andrew Fowler, to receive Universality spots for swimming, however, FINA later specified that the swimmer with the most points and fastest time should be the one to represent the country. It was eventually discovered that it would have to be the teenaged Persaud and not Sanmoogan, causing the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) to make the switch.
“I was shocked at first. After I heard my colleague was going to the Olympics, but then FINA stated that the fastest Guyanese swimmer must represent at the Olympics. After that information, I was very excited, I started running and jumping all around the house,” Persaud said, as she recalled her reaction to receiving the news about her Universality spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
The CARIFTA gold medallist departed Guyana on Sunday for a two-week FINA training camp that will lead up to the Tokyo Games.
Speaking to the media over the weekend, the teenager talked about the personal significance of the achievement and the support that has led her to this stage.
“It means a lot. I’ve been training hard for the past few years, just for this moment. It is a dream come true to attend the Olympics this year,” she related.
About her support system, she added, “Everyone has been behind me. I have my sponsors; my family –my mom is really behind me, she always pushes me past my limit; my dad is in the sport, so he expects everything out of me, so I will make them proud when I attend the Olympics.”
Though excited about representing Guyana at her first Olympic Games, Persaud is focused on attaining some goals.
“Yes, I’m prepared to swim at the Olympics this year.
“I want to improve, by God’s grace, improve on my 28.10s (personal best time) in the 50m freestyle,” Persaud went on to state.
When probed about any useful advice that she may have for young female athletes aspiring to make it to such an event, she had this to say:
“They need to be focused, disciplined, have the right attitude, be ready, their mindset must change, can’t have a lackadaisical attitude. You have to always want to do it.”
Persaud, along with Andrew Fowler, will represent Guyana in swimming. Meanwhile, table tennis player Chelsea Edghill, boxer Keevin Allicock, and track and field athletes Emanuel Archibald and Aliyah and Jasmine Abrams comprise the remaining Guyanese athletes that will participate in the July 23 to August 8 event.
Aside from the athletes, Guyana’s 16-member delegation will include Chef de Mission Garfield Wiltshire, COVID officer/ Physiotherapist Angelica Holder, Secretary General Deon Nurse, Athlete Representative Aliann Pompey, Swim Coach Shyka Gonsalves, Boxing Coach Sebert Blake, Table Tennis Coach Idi Lewis and Track and Field Coaches Julian Edmonds and Denzel Abrams.
