Government rolls out ‘Road to Rio’ plan

– To target all-round development of athletes

The government of Guyana, through the Sport Ministry, has rolled out a structured plan that it hopes will result in Guyana medalling at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Dubbed ‘From Now to Brazil’, the plan will target the all-round development of athletes over the coming years.
According to Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, detailed discussions were held with executives of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, the Athletics Association of Guyana, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association and the Guyana Cycling Federation on the way forward.
Speaking at the press briefing at his office on Friday, Kumar highlighted that while much has been said about Guyana’s performance at the recently concluded London Olympics, “the Ministry of Sport has no intention of wasting time with idle talk; instead, it will walk the walk.” With facilities such as the National Aquatic Centre and the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Gym in operation and the synthetic track soon to be completed, the Director of Sport posited that the infrastructure is now available, and they will work with the various governing bodies to ensure proper training programmes are initiated to keep sportsmen/ women active.
A prepared statement, titled ‘Guyana’s Road to 2016 Olympics’, which was given to reporters, stated that “the meetings agreed that the associations will prepare and submit to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport comprehensive plans and programmes entitled “From Now to Brazil.” It added, “The principal purpose of this initiative is to direct our attention and endeavours towards the achievement of not merely commendable, but spectacular performances at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Dismal performances must now be relegated from our history.”
Guyana has not won a medal at the Olympics since 1980 when boxer Michael Parris copped bronze at the Moscow Games. In fact, this is the only medal Guyana has won at the prestigious Games.
At London 2012, Guyana’s six-member team failed to impress, with Judoka Raul Lall, swimmers Niall Roberts and Britany Van Lange, and athletes Winston George in the 400m and Jeremy Bascom in the 100m all being knocked out in the first round. Seasoned campaigner and the most experienced member of the Guyana team, Aliann Pompey, made the semi-final round of the Women’s 400m.