The Parrot Speaks – Guyana can win gold medals in Beijing

Jul 13, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot is excited over the upcoming big event in August this year; well next month. The event, which is expected to attract thousands, will provide the opportunity for many to mesmerise the audience with their talent and skills.

Many countries will be participating, and like others, we in Guyana anxiously await the opening ceremony. No, I am not talking about Carifesta X. I am referring to another mega event that will open on 08.08.08 in Beijing, China; the 2008 Olympics.

Guyana, like many other “small” countries, participate at this the premier sporting event. The participation seems more symbolic since the dream of winning a medal for most remains just that; a dream.

Yes, Suriname won Gold in swimming and countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas have won medals in the field of athletics. Guyana did win a Bronze medal in boxing courtesy of Michael Parris in 1980. That was our first and last medal to date.

The Parrot is confident that for the upcoming Olympics, if the right persons are selected to represent Guyana, winning a few Gold medals is assured. Our country seems to have currently at its disposal some very talented people who can cause the Golden Arrowhead to flutter to the tune of our National Anthem whilst they (as a group or individually) stand at the higher pedestal, which is usually in the centre, during the medal ceremony after the completion of an event.

Having said this, I would like to propose my Olympic team for 2008, and by extension, events that we are “bound” to win Gold. If he can be contracted, Phillip Bynoe should represent us in the Marathon. He has been out-running everyone since 2002, so obviously he has the stamina to run for a mere twenty-six miles.

In all of the Hurdle races, the main opposition should be given the right of passage to participate since they have been dubbed a real hurdle-r to progress. Clement should head the team in the Rowing event, since after all, he is the leading Row-ee.

In the field of Rifle Shooting it will be tough luck to Goodluck since Gill-house has recently earned the right to lead this team. He can be supported by Gail and Philomena who are described as two “smoking guns”. A Tug-o-war team comprising Henry G, Ronald G, Winston B and Anthony X will be immovable.

They can be supported by Freddie and Vishnu B, Hammie and Beulah, Digicel and GT&T and Fidelity and the GRA who in the trials, seem to be pulling well against each other. Freddie can also compete in the Javelin event since he seems to be unmatched in the field of spear throwing.

In the field of Motor Racing, any Minibus driver will do. He can be supported by a Taxi driver. No trials needed here. In the High Jumping category, the Presidential candidates for 2011 should be sent as a team, since the current office holder has raised the bar higher than usual and anyone aspiring to clear that will have little difficulty in claiming Gold in Beijing.

Vishnu Bisram is the automatic choice for Pole Vaulting since he has lots of polls in his vault. Uncle Bob and CN will be our best candidates in the Walking race. They qualify due to their records in protests.

I strongly recommend that the MBA Minister be the sole candidate for the Decathlon since he has proven his ability to do more than ten things at the same time and to be in ten places at the same time. In the water events like swimming and diving, the ground staff of the Bourda Cricket ground would ensure that we win Gold since they are accustomed to working in and under water.

Karan Singh can be the coach. In all the Relays in Track and Field where a baton is passed from one to the other, the PNCR and the AFC are top contenders. In the Equestrian category, the Roop should be given the privilege of representing us since he always seems to be horsing around.

In Discus, where the competitor has to engage in lots of spinning before loosing the projectile, a team comprising Norton, Misir and Freddie will ensure that our National Anthem is played at the medal ceremony.

In the Broad (long) Jump event, Gold is assured with Avery G competing. He qualified since jumping from a Radio Announcer to a Newspaper Editor. He can be supported by Nigel W who jumped from the Big Market paper to the one Avery edits. Boy, did they roll with the times!

In the Floor Gymnastic event where competitors move acrobatically and rhythmically across the designated space, Captain Roraima will be more than eager to represent us. He staked his claim by possessing the ability to gracefully move all over; from the Commerce Chamber, to the PSC to all television stations.

Guyana, given its abundance in human resources for this event, can also make available, at no cost to the International Olympics Committee, an Official to start the races. Lall can pull this off with a bang.

History can be made in 2008, not only with the opening of the Berbice River Bridge, but with our first Olympic Gold medals. The local committee not only has a golden opportunity to ensure that Guyana brings home these Gold medals, but to ensure that for the first time more Athletes than officials attend.

Squawk! Squawk!

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