A hero’s welcome is planned today for the return of Guyana’s record-breaking athletes from the just-concluded Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to reports, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Athletics Association of Guyana, along with parents and well-wishers will fittingly welcome home the athletes at the Dr. Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
The contingent is scheduled to touch down at CJIA at 14:30hrs.
Team Guyana, represented by eight athletes in the disciplines of track and field and swimming, ended the week-long, seventh edition of the games with four medals – two gold, one silver and a bronze.
Though the swimmers failed to make a splash in their events at Couva, all eyes were drawn to the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, where the Guyanese were among the stars of the show.
Star athlete, Tianna Springer, exceeded expectations and set the gear in motion for a historic showing for the Guyanese when she claimed the first-ever Youth Commonwealth Games gold for the country by winning the women’s 400m final.
It was the first time the National Anthem for Guyana was played at the games which started in 23 years ago.
In the final event to bring the curtain down one of the most memorable games, Springer anchored the country’s 4x400m Mixed Relay team to gold when she partnered with Malachi Austin, Javon Roberts and Narissa McPherson.
Guyana did not just win the gold, but their gold-medal winning time of 3:22.07, shattered the meet record of 3:25.08 previously set in 2017 by Australia.
The performances marked one of Guyana’s best showings at the Youth Games since its inception in 2000.
Prior to the 2023 Games, Guyana had won three medals: two silver in boxing and a bronze in squash women’s doubles.
The 2008 Games in India saw accomplished amateur boxer Clevon Rock, picking up silver after losing in the bantamweight final.
In 2015, in Apia, Samoa, squash players Larissa Wiltshire and Taylor Fernandes-Henry won a bronze medal in the women’s doubles.
In 2017, in The Bahamas, boxer Keevin Allicock was defeated in the final of the flyweight division.
McPherson, in the 400m race won by Springer, finished third place to secure the one-three finish for Guyana.
Austin, who enjoyed a fruitful competition, achieved a Personal Best of 47.97 seconds in the 400m, securing a silver medal in the final.
Roberts, a key member of Guyana’s historic gold medal-winning Mixed Relays 4x400m team, and Attoya Harvey, did not make it to the finals of their respective 800m and 1500m events.
Boxing and squash were not included in this year’s games.
Meanwhile the Athletics Association of Guyana yesterday issued a press release congratulating the athletes for their performances.
Following is the release:-”The Athletics Association of Guyana wishes to extend congratulations to the athletes who represented the country in the recently concluded Commonwealth Youth Games which was held in Trinidad.
The stellar performances of the athletes whether, in the achievement of new personal best times or the achievement of medals cannot go unnoticed This being the first time Guyana has been represented in the discipline of athletics at these games has paid off exponentially.
The athletes, through their performances have brought immense joy and pride to the entire nation. The historic record breaking performances of the 4 x 400m mixed relay team comprising Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, Jevon Roberts and Tianna Springer culminated the games in grandeur.
The association would also like to extend its gratitude to the Guyana Olympic Association for awarding places to its athletes so that they could participate in this prestigious event,” the release from AAG secretary James Cole stated.
