Guyana will take to the track tomorrow in defence of their male title while the females seek to reclaim theirs when the Track and Field segment of the 2011 Inter-Guiana Games runs off at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname.
Two years ago both male and female athletes competed for a collective championship trophy.
However, last year the males and females were divided into two segments with the males and females competing for their separate championship honours respectively.
That year saw Guyana winning the male championship while the females lost theirs.
With stronger, more experienced and better developed teams with budding stars, Guyana seems on course to retain and reclaim the male and female championships respectively.
The athletics contingent is the most dominating force for Guyana at IGG and Stabroek Sport caught up with some of the athletes who are expected to do well at the games.
One hundred and 200 metres athlete, Chavez Ageday who has represented Guyana at the Carifta Games and World Youth Championships will compete in his first IGG after missing it last year due to his Carifta schedule.
“My plan is to just execute a perfect race without any false starts because I had that problem lately. I have no specific time but I just want to run fast,” Ageday said confidently. South American junior 400 metres bronze medalist Stephan James who competed at IGG last year but placed 3rd in the 100m and 4th in the 400m indicated his intentions for his events citing the success he has been having throughout the year.
“Well for me there is nothing to prove. I just want to go out there and win and improve on my times,” James stated.
Two-time Carifta 1500 metres gold medalist, Jevina Straker who attended the 2008 IGG Games in Suriname but missed two years for various reasons, has returned with the intention of having another successful run.
“For me it’s the same strategy but the timings will be difficult after being off of the track for two months for exams, but I expect to perform at my best,” Straker concluded.
And 2008 400 metres IGG gold medalist Letisha Myles who will compete in the 100 and 200 metres highlighted her aim to win gold.
“I’m planning on running 11.9. I’m expecting to do my best, I just want to win the gold for my country,” a confident Myles stated.
Meanwhile Guyana is expected to go through their only practice session today at the stadium before the Track and Field events begin tomorrow.
