Monday, June 8, 2026
Monday, June 8, 2026
Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist backs President Ali for second term
Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist, boxer Michael Parris has declared his unequivocal support for President Irfaan Ali’s bid for a second term.
This monumental endorsement was made on Wednesday.
Parris, in articulating his decision, declared that the Dr. Irfaan Ali’s administration has consistently illustrated recognition, acknowledgement, and overall support for his legacy and the larger Guyanese sports community.
He praised the government’s commitment to promote and honour athletes who etched their names in the annals of the nation’s sporting fabric.
“I have received genuine respect and recognition from President Ali’s administration,” Parris stated.
“It is truly heartwarming because they have not only recognised my contributions, but have engaged with me to highlight that athletes like myself of the past are not forgotten.”
He noted that he has had frequent conversations with the National Sports Commission and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, which have provided genuine tangible, and intangible support.
Parris revealed a contrasting approach by the previous APNU/AFC administration. He noted that during their tenure, regrettably, his contributions and legacy were not acknowledged but only mentioned fleetingly during the Olympic campaign.
“It was a difficult period where my unique contribution to Guyana and the Caribbean Community was overlooked,” Parris declared.
“The current government has taken the opposite approach and frankly reversed course, which highlights a sincere commitment to the development of sports and its athletes, both past and present. This is why I am supporting President Ali for a second term.
Parris is a former Guyanese boxer who etched his name into local and Caribbean history after winning a bronze medal in the bantamweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
His achievement to date represents the only medal secured by Guyana at the Olympic Games and, equally as important, CARICOM’s only Olympic medal in the discipline.
