Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) President Dwayne Scott has confirmed that Guyana-born Trinidad and Tobago swimmer Delroy Tyrrell has officially petitioned to change his competitive status to represent Guyana on the international scene.
This was confirmed during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday. According to Scott, “Tyrrell is Guyanese by birth and has been living in Trinidad and Tobago for most of his life and has only represented Trinidad [and Tobago]. He has now moved to college and has sought to participate and represent Guyana.”
Tyrrell is a backstroke swimmer who has represented Trinidad and Tobago internationally, most notably at the Carifta Swimming Championships (2017, 2019) and the CCCAN Swimming Championships (2017). Scott confirmed that a meeting was held with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, members of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), commissioners of the National Sports Commission, GASA, and Tyrrell at the Ministry’s office on Thursday Scott revealed that Tyrrell’s decision to change competitive allegiance, which was discussed at the aforesaid assembly, has international implications, as the world governing body, FINA, has stringent regulations and policies on this subject matter.
He explained, “The purpose of the meeting was to work to devise a plan to move forward in an effort to have a smooth transition as we can and to better interpret the ruling and to obviously devise the best method of approach to allow for a quick transition.”
“GASA has always been open to his representation and was never opposed to that. The issue was understanding the technical aspects and the situation and to have the necessary documentation to expedite the process and do it in a speedy manner. That position has not changed and we maintain that…. We are working in collaboration with the GOA and the NSC to get the necessary support to interpret the technical aspects”, Scott added. Meanwhile, GOA President Godfrey Munroe said, “The athlete has demonstrated that he has the potential skill level and pedigree to compete at a high level, he indicated his intent, has ties … that can overcome the nationality positions the and is on pathway of training and can add value to Guyana’s swimming prospects, profile and performance “As an NOC we are always open to working with our affiliates in facilitating and ensuring that the best athletes available with the pedigree quality and skill level meeting the eligibility requirements of their international federations for representation of Guyana can be accommodated”, he explained.
Munroe further said, “This is a common position globally and more and more we will see this position being demonstrated in the context of the spotlight being placed on Guyana with our new found oil wealth and development trajectory. In this instance FINA has outlined a prima facie position within the context of their statutes which we are hopeful can be overcome given his birth links and ties, intent and unique position of his case and would provide all support in helping to facilitate this process.”
