Athletes’ interest is high in the 2021 Aliann Pompey Invitational, according to Founder of the meet, Aliann Pompey.
However, the Invitational is yet to receive the necessary hosting approval as discussions with the National COVID-19 Task Force are still ongoing.
The coronavirus pandemic forced a postponement of the leading athletics meet in 2020.
However, in January this year, Pompey, the four-time Guyanese Olympian, said the aim is to have the 2021 event in Guyana on June 19.
She pointed out that every attempt would be made to ensure the event satisfies all the safety protocols, once the necessary clearance is granted by the relevant authorities.
On Wednesday, Pompey shared an update on plans for what would be the fifth edition of the meet.
“We have a number of interested athletes and agents that have reached out to us, so I believe we would be able to fill the field,” Pompey reported.
“The issue is we’re still waiting to hear back from the COVID Secretariat. There are a number of issues that were raised and obviously we would want to make sure this edition of the API is following all protocols, first and foremost for the safety of not only the athletes, but the Guyanese public.”
In February 2020, Pompey and World Athletics had announced that the Invitational will be included on the Continental Tour.
The tour will span across six continents and offers athletes the opportunity to receive world ranking points that will count toward the Olympic Games and World Championships.
The inaugural meet hosted 11 athletes who went on to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.
The Aliann Pompey Invitational usually attracts top athletes from Guyana, the Caribbean, North America and further afield.
