– Pompey passes up IAAF Rio Grand Prix to run in Guyana at the President’s/Jefford Classic
Aliann Pompey stands atop the podium when she won the IAAF Rio Grand Prix two years ago. Pompey will pass up competing at that event this year to run in Guyana
Guyana’s track and field ambassador Aliann Pompey passed up competing at the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Rio Grand Prix in Brazil to run in Guyana at the President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic next month.
The 33-year-old national 400m record holder said that it was her intention to run at the inaugural edition of the competition last year, but her competition schedule was conflicting.
This time around, however, Pompey told Guyana Times International Sports (GTIS) that although the Rio Grand Prix is a prestigious event that she has enjoyed and won on several occasions, she could not pass up an opportunity to compete in her homeland.
“This year, (unfortunately) the meet conflicted with the Brazilian Grand Prix, where I’ve competed (and won) several times. I thought long and hard about it, and my final decision was that if the Jefford meet was 100% confirmed, that I’d pass up the meet in Brazil.”
Coordinator of the event, Edison Jefford, issued a release last week to members of the media confirming that the meet will be held on Sunday, May 22 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden.
The three-time Olympian had previously told GTIS that she might retire from track and field after the 2012 London Olympic Games. It has been her intention, Pompey said, to compete on local soil before she retires.
“I’ve been touting for some time that I want to compete in Guyana before I retire,” Pompey said.
“It’s a very significant competition for me, as I haven’t competed in Guyana since form two, almost 20 years ago. I’m excited to be there; I think it will be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to be back in Guyana,” the 2002 Commonwealth Games 400m champion added.
Pompey, who also won the silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Pune, India, received an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship to help her prepare for next year’s Olympics. She will be competing at the IAAF World Championships in late August and the Pan American Games in October.
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