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Aliann Pompey wins big in Ireland
– shrugs of CAC misfortune and fallout
One week after a below par showing at the CAC Track and Field Championships in Colombia, Guyana’s international track star Aliann Pompey returned to the European Circuit with a triumphant performance.
Aliann left her competition in the dust to win the Women’s 400m at the 57th Cork City Sports Track Meet at the Mardyke in Ireland yesterday. She was the only runner to dip under 52 seconds, clocking 51.52s to finish way ahead of Germany’s Nigerian-born Florence Ekpo-Umoh (52.33) and Fiji’s Makelesi Batimala (52.462) in the other top places.
Rounding of the race were 2002 African 200m and 400m champion Kaltouma Nadjina (52.47s) of Chad; 2006 NCAA champion Clora Williams (52.97s) of Jamaica; 2004 Olympics 4x400m gold medalist Moushaumi Robinson (53.70s) of the USA and 2008 American indoor champion Sharese Woods (54.63s).
The win shakes off her meager returns from her opening heat’s 5th place finish (52.08s) that knocked her out of contention in the Women’s 400m at the CAC meet, two Fridays ago. It also gives Aliann two super showings both sides of the CAC debacle, as she also had a scorching win in Bulgaria on June 30th, that cemented her ‘A’ standard qualification to the Beijing Olympics, next month. It was the second gold for Aliann at the meet following her win in 2002, weeks before her Commonwealth Games coup. She also has two silver medals to back her four appearances there.
The Guyanese multiple national record-holder appeared in Ireland to continue her preparations for the global event, and is quite a celebrity there, as she was hosted to a special pre-meet reception to introduce the meets outstanding personalities. She is coached by former Irish sprint champion and record holder Joe Ryan who is the coach to the Guyana 2008 Olympic track team.
Meanwhile, some Guyanese track aficionados in the USA are expressing disgust over an article which appeared in the Kaieteur News on July 8th titled “Does the GOA reward inconsistency? – must clarify its position on Forde” written by Edison Jefford.
The article which among other things seems to question Aliann’s selection to Beijing was loathed as “unfounded and generally unfair to the Aliann”, described as the most successful Guyanese runner, ever, according to Maryland-based sports executive Clifford Wong.
In an email sent to the writer, and copied to a mailing list of athletes, officials and supporters, Wong attempts to clarify that Aliann’s CAC misfortune – which the article highlights – could have been due to fatigue.
The following is the text of the email: “I don’t think your article is fair about Aliann Pompey. Do you know what her schedule was like for that week before getting to CAC?
The previous weekend she was in Belgium (Bulgaria), Monday she flew back to the States, flew out to Columbia on Wednesday night and then had to compete on Friday. That’s a hell of a jet lag flying.
She wasn’t suppose(d) to go Europe, but she was call(ed) last min. and then because she made the commitment to compete for her country so (she) went to go to the games.
She did her best with that situation. If, she had enough rest, she would have won the CAC games.
Marian and Aliann as long as they represent Guyana should never be criticized. They have done too much for Guyana on their own.”
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