Photos and interviews by Frances Abraham and Lakhram Bhagirat
This week we asked the man and woman in the street their thoughts on the London Olympics 2012, the highlight for them and their views on how the Guyana team can improve their performance in the future. Their responses follow:
Halima Rahaman- Self Employed
‘I enjoyed looking at the Olympics but I expected to see more Guyanese taking part. I’m sure Guyanese people would have been proud to see their own doing something commendable for their country. My favourite part was the gymnastics and diving. Gabby Douglas and the whole US women’s gymnastics team did very well. I also liked how the Jamaicans took part and represented their country very well. Guyanese need to practice and try to improve themselves. They should also try to take part in more activities like the football.’
Faria Shaw- Student
`My favourite Olympian moments were those with Michael Phelps who made his thousands of fans extremely proud, I’m sure. I also love the gymnastics part of it and I couldn’t help but think about how much work and dedication it must have taken for those outstanding athletes to put on the performances they did. I also enjoyed the volleyball. I think with adequate support from the relevant authorities, Guyana can skyrocket at these games in a next few years. The athletes who came out at the top are those who are extremely committed and who have made a career out of their passion and I think that is what is lacking in our local representatives.’
Collis Dos Santos- Volunteer
‘Basically, Usain Bolt stood out because during the qualifiers they thought that he would have disappointed Jamaica but it turned out otherwise. Guyana, well we still have a long way to go with our athletes when it comes to training and so on. When you look at other countries and how they perform as it relates to sports, Guyana has a long way to go and we need to focus more on our sports sector.’
Marian Parris- Private Sector Employee
‘People this year were really working hard to represent their country at the Olympics and they were very passionate to do what they have to do. I liked the sprinting part of the races and my favourite runner was Usain Bolt. The athletes in our country, in order to better their fields, need help from the big ones like the President and the Prime Minister to form groups, keep meetings and help with supporting these persons. They can also look into building a special facility for them to train.’
Ryan Stuart- Private Sector
‘I think the Olympics was very fascinating and enthusiastic. I hope it has motivated my fellow Guyanese athletes to take part in most of the events. It is my view that Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad won a gold medal because he exhibited stamina and courage. In order for Guyana to achieve such an extraordinary victory we would need to equip the athletes with intensified training programmes. Guyanese have a lot of potential and we just need certified trainers to reinforce that.’
Joel “Prince JP” Pharous-Private Sector Employee/Artiste
‘The Olympic Games were very exciting especially with Usain Bolt. The Caribbean has been placed on the map in a more positive light and it makes us better. Although our local athletes didn’t bring home any medals, we are proud of them putting us on the map. The best performer was Usain because breaking his own record was phenomenal and it deserves recognition. I think for our athletes, they need to be more focused and there also need to be training programmes to boost their confidence and skills.’
Seema Churaman- Private Sector
‘Usain Bolt was my favourite athlete just because of his unbelievable performance at this year’s Olympics… breaking his own record was amazing. I think the Olympics was nice and very entertaining, kept us throughout the region glued to our televisions because those who represented the Caribbean really did a great job and made us proud. In Guyana, I think they should start training athletes at an early age and prepare them for that world stage. I think this will help them to be more competitive.’
Colvin Andrews – Volunteer at President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG)
‘The most outstanding part of this year’s Olympics was definitely Usain Bolt because I was in Jamaica and they have been celebrating their 50th anniversary and then to see that Bolt broke his own record to come back home and celebrate that was great. I think the Olympics was great but the Jamaican team did well. The teams throughout the Caribbean put their best foot forward but Usain Bolt was the man. The Guyana team needs to work hard, motivate themselves and just be serious about what they are doing.’
Shannon Green- Private Sector
`Guyana needs to work a lot harder if we are going to reach the pinnacles that some of the other Caribbean teams did. I hope that our local team and the relevant authorities come to this realization soon and commit themselves to intensify development in the sporting field and be well prepared for future games. However, I think they tried their best but there is definitely room for improvement. I was impressed with the Jamaica and USA team, particularly young Gabby Douglas who made not only African Americans proud but the entire race. She did an exceptional job and I am proud of her achievement.’
Padmini Lalbachan- Housewife
`Olympics this year was exciting but I think Guyana could have done better. I think sports in our country should be taken more seriously and if so then the athletes can provide the results that would make our people proud. However, other Caribbean territories really shone and put our entire region on the map and for that I am happy. The highlight definitely would be reflected in Usain Bolt’s performance who did exceptionally well. Yohan Blake was also impressive. I am proud of the entire Jamaican team.’
