Latest update August 21st, 2026 10:20 AM
Latest News
- Govt. will seek expert advice on financing of future Exxon projects
- Canadian firm secures option to acquire 15,000 acres gold property in Reg. 1 from Russian company
- GPL cracks down on illegal power connections in Sophia
- Venezuelans and Cubans among deportees to Liberia under Trump deal, official says
- ‘Change your eating habits’ – Pres. Ali blames citizens lifestyle for rising cost of living
Pompey restructures training, sets goals
– says world leading time a step in the right direction
By Edison Jefford
An early forecast seems to suggest that Guyana’s leading quarter–miler Aliann Pompey is focused on turning out top performances this year in a lengthy career that was filled with major setbacks including lack of sponsorship.
Aliann Pompey
Pompey’s major achievement to–date remains her Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in Manchester, England in 2002, but the top athlete believes that her current world leading 400m time is a step in the right direction.
The outstanding Guyanese athlete said that she has set herself new goals, taking timeout from her busy schedule that included a narrow miss at the 2009 Millrose Games to speak with Kaieteur Sport via email yesterday.
“I have restructured my training and set intermediate goals. How and when I [will] reach those goals determine how I go forward. My world leading time is something that lets me know I’m going in the right direction,” Pompey said.
Apart from Pompey’s split–second loss in the 600 Yard race at the Millrose Games, there was an arresting dominance at the New Balance Games in New York two weeks ago in the 400m, which became the best so far this year.
Pompey completely demolished her opponents in a 51.85 seconds victory at the Armoury Track and Field Centre in a performance that broke her 52.17 seconds national indoor record that was set six years ago in 2003.
The dual benchmark performances were a sort of reprieve for the athlete, who had barely missed out on a place in the final at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China last year where her disappointment made Caribbean headlines.
“I have been fortunate to have my friends and family, both in Guyana and the USA, who have supported me emotionally over the years,” she said, adding that she has a “mutually beneficial relationship,” with the local Olympic body.
Asked what she thinks is primarily affecting the growth of athletics in Guyana and what advice she would give to national sprinters, Rawle Greene and Alisha Fortune, Pompey pointed to the need for “serious investment”.
“Whether it is monetary or professional, development couldn’t hurt. Jamaica was once in the same situation as Guyana is now when it comes to athletics. I always wish the very best for my compatriots,” she indicated.
She said that she has not spoken to Fortune very much but is in contact with Greene on a few occasions. According to Pompey, she has been very busy with work apart from training and taking care of her family.
“In general I [would] like to say that I put 100 percent into everything I do [and] no one can argue my dedication and effort and that’s enough for me,” the three–time Olympian and national record holder intimated.
Pompey did not say whether or not she will represent Guyana at the upcoming Caribbean Games in Trinidad and Tobago but based on her ambassadorial record, she has never refused an invitation to represent her country.
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.