US athletics coaches in Guyana to evaluate Olympic prospects

Four coaches from the United States of America are in Guyana as part of a programme sponsored by the Government of Guyana and the National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana.

The coaches are working along with their local counterparts to evaluate Guyana’s Olympic prospects in Track and Field.

The first session on Wednesday targeted athletes from Corentyne, West Berbice and Linden at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora. On Thursday, athletes from the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown got a chance to showcase their skills at the same venue.

This programme is expected to be an ongoing one, with a specific target being the 2028 Olympic Games.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. said the programme is a deliberate attempt to upskill local athletes and coaches by providing the necessary mentorship, facilities and equipment.

The minister, accompanied by officials of the National Sports Commission, visited the camp and shared his thoughts on the importance of such an undertaking.

“There is a big step that needs to be taken from being a very good athlete to being great where you’re competing with some of the best in the world,” the minister posited.

“That big gap requires a lot of technical expertise- the coaching, the mentorship, access to facilities, access to equipment- and a lot of personal commitment from the athlete.

“We felt it was important if we’re to take the talent to the next level, we had to bring down these coaches who have the expertise, the track record and they can continuously engage with us, both from the athletes’ side and the coaching side.”