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By Juanita Hooper
The selection of Letitia Myles, Tiffany Carto and Malcolm Walcott by the Athletics Association of Guyana to represent Guyana at IV Commonwealth Youth Games in Isle of Man a few weeks ago turned out to be a golden opportunity for athletes and coach Lyndon Wilson.
Wilson declared that despite the athletes returning home without medals, the experience gained is invaluable while adding that with adequate training facilities in Guyana our athletes will be on a more level playing field when competing overseas.
?I think it was an experience for both me and the athletes, the atmosphere was different from Guyana?s and as a result of the coldness the athletes were experiencing difficulties in attaining maximum level of warm-up which is an important element in Track & Field,? Wilson told Kaieteur Sport.
?I think that Guyana has the talent as the other countries have but the difference is the facilities. I heard that they wanted to bring in foreign coaches to improve the athletes? performance but I really do not agree with that as Guyana has a lot of educated coaches who can excel?the coaches alone cannot do the job, we need the facilities which will aid in the athletes? performances improving and them attaining better times,? Wilson declared.
The coach further pointed out that sports scholarships are needed to motivate the athletes. He noted that if at least two to three scholarships are awarded to athletes each year, it will send a signal to other athletes to have the balance with sports and their education.
?The athletes of Guyana reside all over, we do not have athletes who attend Sport Schools or are in specific schools encamped where they can train at least five days per week; where the coaches can manage their diet and rest and the other necessary things. In our society, the athletes just come to club, and train for two to three hours. This is bad for the coaches since we will not be able to manage a lot of things?we will also not be able to motivate our athletes as we ought to.?
The Manager added that Myles and Carto displayed great determination at the games and surprised him by making it into the semi-finals. ?Their timings were not that fantastic as they both ran better timings before. However, they did well and were able to enter the semi-finals of the 100m and Myles was also semi-finalist of the 200m,? he said.
The leading Athletics Coach claimed that Walcott, a two-time Hampton Games Gold medalist, seemed unprepared for the level of competition but still ?put his best foot forward? in the challenging conditions.
?Walcott?s preparation for the Games was not of the standard that it should have been, however I think he tried his best?he was experiencing cramps because of the climate change and was not able to perform to his full potential.?
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