Aliann Pompey Invitational to honour Guyanese Olympians

Former national athlete Aliann Pompey will be partnering with the World Olympians Association (WOA), the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission to honour past and present Guyanese Olympians at the Aliann Pompey Invitational on July 6.

A special ceremony will be held on the sidelines of the fourth annual event at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

The overseas-based Olympians identified to be recognised will start arriving on July 4. The special award will allow the awardees to use the title ‘OLY’ to their names.

Commenting on the gesture, Director of Sport Christopher Jones said, “We are honoured to give recognition to our past Olympians, especially to those that might not have gotten the recognition that they so rightfully deserve, especially to the likes of James Wren-Gilkes that we all would agree would have medaled at the 1976 Olympics had it not been for Guyana’s stance at the time. But we count it a privilege and honour to give recognition to our athletes that started the process of putting Guyana on the map globally.”

Pompey said recognising the Olympians is important to cultivating a rich sporting culture in Guyana.

Olympians confirmed so far are: (Present) Jeremy Bascom, Winston George, Troy Doris, Brenessa Thompson, Aliyah Abrams; (Past) Geoffrey Sankies, Aliann Pompey, Richard Jones, Adam Harris, Niall Roberts, Andrew Harry, James Wren-Gilkes, June Griffith, Jennifer Innis, Michael Parris.