National 400m record holder and Commonwealth gold medallist Aliann Pompey will not be present as guest of honour at the President’s/Jefford Track & Field Classic on Sunday, citing commitments to her full-time job and her preparations for the Commonwealth Games in October.
In a statement yesterday Pompey apologized to the organisers but offered to donate the prize for the winner of the 400m event. She stated that she cannot “risk both my job and Commonwealth Games (preparation) to be there” in Guyana.
She wrote to the organisers, “I’d do all in my power to support this endeavour, however, I do work full- time and I can’t take a week off. I mentioned my limitations with practice/time trials and preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
“I know you are working very hard and are thoroughly vested in this meet being a success. I think it’s great on so many levels; for the sports, for Guyana, for us as athletes overseas and at home, and for the young people coming up. I’ve always felt that events like this is what we need to instill not only pride in our talent as a country, but further the idea that no one in the world has a leg up on us; all we need is a starting point.”
In the release she indicated that it is still her hope to compete in Guyana before she retires.
Therefore, that would mean she cannot “retire at the end of this season”. On the other hand, she advised the organizers that the ‘mining town’s daughter’ Marian Burnette would be a huge draw for the event.
