With an eye on the next Olympic Games cycle, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) partnered with the National Sports Clinic and the Ministry of Health to implement a comprehensive Pre-Participation Screening Programme for athletes with prospects for international representation. According to a press release from the GOA, the programme is part of “the GOA’s strategic focus on athlete welfare, performance optimization, and injury prevention, aimed at revolutionizing the approach to athlete development and care in the nation”.
“This strategic undertaking marks a new and significant milestone in the GOA’s commitment to advancing the sporting landscape of Guyana. By implementing a scientifically-driven approach to athlete assessment and management, the program seeks to assist with enhancing training effectiveness, monitor progression, and mitigate against injuries, ultimately fostering a culture of knowledge and excellence within the sporting community”, the release said. Importantly, the GOA also revealed that the pre-screening process is a “mandatory requirement for all athletes being considered for international representation, including those receiving grant support from the GOA and athletes with prospects for representation of Guyana in international competition and Olympic cycle events. Over the last few months a structured schedule devised to facilitate the screening of athletes across various sporting disciplines was successfully undertaken, under the expert guidance of Ms. Vanessa Wickham at the National Sports Clinic, Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal”. The release further explained; “The screening sessions provide athletes with the opportunity to undergo comprehensive assessments tailored to their specific disciplines.