If you are a fan of exhilarating, world class Track and Field action, then the place to be today is the National Track and Field Centre to witness live the fourth staging of the Aliann Pompey Invitational (API).
The fixture, which gets off to a flying start at 15:00hrs, will see former and present Olympians battling for lucrative cash prizes in various events.
Today’s meet headliners include reigning Jamaican national 400m hurdles champion Rushell Clayton, Ghana’s top sprinter Joseph Amoah and USA-based quarter miler, Aliyah Abrams, all who promised to bring their ‘A’ game yesterday during the final press briefing at Sleep Inn Hotel.
National 400m champion, Arinze Chance and 400m record holder, Winston George, standout sprinter, Emanuel Archibald and others will also get in the blocks.
Said Amoah “I’m just going to go out there tomorrow and try to run as fast as I can to win the race.” “I’m really going to execute my race; these guys are very fast and you can’t go in and be complacent and be like ‘oh you also fast so you got the day’. I’m going to go out there and execute my race and be aggressive in everything I do.”
Abrams echoed similar sentiments: ““It’s all about executing my race plan that I’ve been working on all year. My coach has set out very specific details of my race I need to try and hit and execute, so I’m just going to go out there and do that.”
“(This year) I’m bringing more experience; I’m more comfortable running the 400m race. I have a new technique and it really works for me, so I’m just excited to put that into show tomorrow.”
She added “I want to break 51 (seconds barrier). It’s always one of my goals to get into the 50s, so that’s what I’m aiming for tomorrow.”
Defending 400mh hurdles champion of the API, Clayton is confident of a repeat.
“Being defending champion normally puts a lot of pressure on you, but I’m confident that I’ll go out there and execute to the best, because I’m coming off a high and I plan to just remain in the same way.”
Clayton added “I’ve ran personal best here; I’ve ran a season best here so it’s a good meet. It may be smaller than regular meets across the globe, but the competition is really good here.”
Note: The event will start at 15:00hrs with the official opening ceremony set for an hour later. A special presentation ceremony to honour past and present Guyanese Olympians would start at 17:00h. Admission is set at $500.
