By Emmerson Campbell in Birmingham, England
A blistering anchor leg yesterday by star sprinter Noelex Holder historically propelled Team Guyana into today’s men’s 4x100m relay final here at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England.
After a smooth hand off of the baton from Arinze Chance who ran a sublime turn on the third leg, Holder turned on the jets and rocketed past Singapore’s Mark Louis, who had received the baton some five meters ahead of him, to claim the third place finish and clinch a berth in the finals.
It was the first time a local outfit has progressed to the final of the 4×100 metres at the quadrennial Commonwealth Games which started in 1930.
The quartet of national 200 metres champion, Akeem Stewart; national 100 metres champion, Emanuel Archibald; Chance, and Holder, recorded a season best for Guyana of 39.82 seconds for the quarter-mile race. Their heroic performance has resonated throughout the 592 and local contingent here, further bolstering the confidence of the athletes.
Team Guyana will fancy their chances in today’s final which gets underway at 12:40 hours.
Said Chance in a post-race interview, “We really wanted it and everybody did what they were supposed to do. We were practicing a lot for this and we will go back, watch the tape, talk to the coaches and hope for a better result tomorrow.”
“We are in the finals and the goal is to medal.”
The four athletes who recorded the sixth fastest qualifying time, are the last medal hope for Guyana in athletics and can create history once again by climbing the podium steps.
