Morgan could miss Colorado Springs stint

Apr 23, 2009 Sports

– Greene, D’Andrade on reserve

Alika Morgan’s place among the athletes that were selected for an intense training stint in Colorado Springs is now in doubt following her recent ankle injury, which in essence, led to her underperformance at the Junior Carifta Games.
The National Sports Commission double ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ was named among a four–member team that includes fellow distance athletes Kelvin Johnson and Cleveland Forde and national sprint queen, Alicia Fortune.

However, when asked at a recent Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) media briefing if she will be attending the training stint at the facility in the United States, Morgan could not give a definite answer based on her fitness.
“My coach will have to answer that,” she said, following the question of if her injury will heal sufficiently in time for the rigorous stint. Morgan admitted at the forum, when asked, that she is “not a 100 percent” physically in shape.

Though details of the programme are sketchy, President of the AAG, Colin Boyce stated that it is not in the best interest of the country to send an injured athlete to the event. As a result, preventative systems will be put it place.
“I will not want to send an injured athlete since the country’s reputation would be at stake at the event that promises to be intense,” Boyce had revealed at the press conference. He further stated that a medical examination will be done.
As of the time of the media event on Friday, the only information the AAG disclosed was that arrangements were being made through the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for the four athletes that were identified for the US stint.

It was also made public that distance athlete, Lionel D’Andrade and national senior sprint champion, Rawle Greene, were named reserves. Therefore, if Morgan does not participate in the event, one of those athletes will take her place.
Boyce told Kaieteur Sport that much has not changed on the Colorado Springs training activity since the press conference. “I have to call Juman Yasin (GOA President) to find out about that and the Caribbean Games,” he said.
The athletic association chief executive indicated that systems are being implemented to ensure that Morgan is medically certified fit before Colorado Springs. He informed that neutral doctors have agreed to do her MRI Scan.
Apart from the Scan, it was also revealed that a doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is being consulted on the athlete. Boyce said that neutral doctors are required to have an authentic medical report on Morgan.
(Edison Jefford)

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