Olympic Caravan carries hope for social cohesion

Jul 27, 2008 Sports

By Edison Jefford
The Banks DIH and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Coca Cola Olympic Caravan, which took the form of a Torch Relay yesterday, was greeted with extensive athlete participation and official commendation.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony told the media and those gathered after the relay route expired that Guyanese athletes are leaders in the move toward social harmony in Guyana.

“Our athletes have been playing a very important role in bringing social cohesion to our country,” Anthony said in his speech, while stating that, in his opinion, sport is the best unifying force in the world.

The minister charged the GOA with the task of better preparing Guyana’s Olympic team after recognising that any team with such a responsibility of bringing a country glory ought to be prepared at least a year in advance.

“Do your best for us and if you can bring back a gold medal, we all will be very proud,” he encouraged Olympic athletes, adding that “we have to be able to prepare athletes more early for events like the Olympics”.

President of the GOA, Juman Yassin had earlier thanked the various local associations for their support. “This would not have been a success without you (the federations),” Yassin had said.

“Our other success has been the participation of members of the public. This is the Olympic message: togetherness and participation” Yassin added.

Most visible among the participants were the basketball, boxing and athletics disciples while Guyana’s representative swimmer to the Beijing Olympic Games, Niall Roberts carried the torch to the finish line.

From basketball, national forward Royston Siland along with national junior players John Fraser and Travis Burnette ran the course, which began at the National Stadium at Providence and proceeded to end at Quik Serv on Main Street.

National distance athlete, Dennis Horatio along with national juniors Triston Joseph, Alika Morgan and Janella Jonas represented athletics while Clifton Moore, James Walcott and Amanda Charles represented boxing.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Jun Gao told Kaieteur Sport that the atmosphere was great and it was good to see Guyanese share in the culture of the Chinese people. There was a Chinese Dragon Dance to crown off the proceedings.

“I think it’s great. Banks DIH and GOA made Guyanese share in Olympic Games in their own culture. I came back from Beijing only yesterday (Friday) and I am glad to have this chance to participate with Guyanese people,” Gao said.