Latest update June 3rd, 2026 12:40 AM
Good sense prevails as raging cycling dispute attracts attention of mediating committee
A raging dispute between top cyclist and current national champion, Walter Grant Stewart, the executives of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) and several cyclists threatened to compromise the cohesive relations among the aforementioned affiliates, but good sense prevailed after a mediating committee comprising several of the executive members met with the disgruntled parties at the Olympic House, High Street Kingston, and hammered out an amicable resolution to the dispute.
Walter Grant Stewart
Former judge, Desmond Birch Smith who is the chairman of disciplinary committee and 1st Vice President of the GCF led the mediating delegation with support from several other executive members of the Federation including President of the GCF, Cheryl Thompson, Secretary Gemma Williams, Chairman of Racing Committee and PRO, Julian Alves, 2nd Vice President Bridgette Baynes, Mr. Kenneth Meije a Dutch national with a vested interest in the development of local cycling, Racing Secretary, Wayne DeAbreu, Committee Member, Royston Anderson and several of Grant Stewart’s colleagues. The group met to hammer out a resolution to the matter.
The issue had its genesis about one month ago after Grant Stewart tendered his resignation from the Continental Cycling Club GCF after citing discriminatory practices leveled at him by those executives.
The young rider then refused to enroll in another club choosing instead to compete independently. During that time his performance was highly commendable and the young cyclist eventually clinched the national cycling championships.
Grant Stewart then sought permission from the executives of the GCF to travel to Anguilla last month to participate in the John T Memorial race. A source close to the governing body revealed that verbal permission was granted and Mr. Grant Stewart went on to win the race.
The first sign of dissent occurred when the cyclist left Guyana shortly afterwards for St Marten to once again practice his trade, only this time he did so devoid of the requisite permission of the Federation.
Shortly after his return to Guyana, executives of the local Federation received a request for a local contingent to travel to Suriname for a goodwill meet. It seems as though Grant Stewart had signaled an interest in participating at that meet but following a directive from the Surinamese cycling authorities to their local counterparts, his request was turned down.
According to president of the GCF, Cheryl Thompson, her executives queried if Grant Stewart was eligible to participate and the Dutch authorities cited a constitutional statute of the World Cycling Federation (UCI) that precludes Grant Stewart from participating in the event.
One of the executives pointed out that because the cyclist had lost a limb he was placed in a special category that facilitated riders of his ilk. Despite this ruling, the local executives had allowed the disgruntled cyclist to compete locally as a normal individual.
However, Grant Stewart defied the ruling of executives of the GCF and left for Suriname.
However, based on the aforementioned statute those authorities debarred him from participating. Convinced that he was not competently represented, the cyclist lashed out at the executives of the Federation as well as his colleagues. Consequently, he denounced his affiliation to the Continental Cycling Club as well as the ruling body and opted to ride independently.
It was this decision coupled with several acrimonious outbursts that threatened the cohesive relations among GCF executives other cyclists and Mr. Grant Stewart that forced the executives of the ruling body to convene the special meeting.
Accusations and counter accusations were bandied around as the mediating committee sought to arrive at a common consensus. Some three hours later, Mr. Grant Stewart conceded that he had erred in judgment.
He then offered an apology while committing to dialogue in the future as a mediating tool. All parties then shook hands and aspired to direct their concerns and grouses through the constituted organ in seeking appeasement.
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