‘We are proud of you’- First batch of Guyana’s Carifta Games team returns home

‘We are proud of you’ was the recurring theme on Tuesday afternoon when key stakeholders welcomed the first batch of local-based athletes and officials who represented Guyana at the 53^rd Carifta Games at the weekend in Grenada.

Guyana’s 24-member track and field team ended the three-day championship from April 4-6 with six medals (four gold, one silver and one bronze) at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St. George’s.

Click here to see photos of the arrival 

Welcoming the contingent at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle were Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Vice-Chair of the National Sports Commission Cristy Campbell and President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Amanda Hermonstine.

The second and final batch of local-based athletes and officials will arrive in Guyana on Wednesday evening.

Click here to view the medallists 

In a brief welcome ceremony, Ninvalle pointed out that a much more elaborate ceremony will be held at a later date to properly recognise the achievements of Team Guyana.

“This is just a small welcome-home that you’re having; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, as I have been directed by Minister Steven Jacobs, will be hosting you guys when the entire team comes back,” Ninvalle informed the contingent.

“On behalf of the Honourable Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and Steven Jacobs, I would want to say that you have made this country extremely proud,” the Director declared.

“We at the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport have seen the rapid development of athletics under the leadership of Amanda Hermonstine and her executive. It is because of the initiatives employed by Amanda and her team and the results that we’ve been seeing that we would want to support much more.”

Like Ninvalle, Campbell had also journeyed to Grenada, representing the National Sports Commission as a key partner of the AAG. She expressed elation at the success of Team Guyana, which finished fifth on the medals table among the 28 countries.

“We’re quite pleased and proud of your performance, and I think the entire country celebrates your success. It was quite pleasurable to witness the passion and grit that you executed and demonstrated throughout the Easter weekend games in Grenada,” Campbell said.

“I was fortunate to be there to support and cheer you on and I’m quite pleased with your performances, on and off the track.”

A visibly cheerful Hermonstine heaped praises on the athletes and officials for a job well done.

“I’m very elated this afternoon. It’s a pleasure to be a part of you. I just want to say congratulations, we’re happy and you have made us proud. Thank you very much,” Hermonstine said.

Five on the first day, one on the final day

Olivia Solomon won Gold in the Girls Under-17 800m on the final evening to add to Guyana’s five-medal haul on the opening day of the three-day championship.

The highlight of the campaign for Guyana was a record-breaking run from the 4x400m Mixed Relay team.

The quartet- Tishawn Easton, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover and Malachi Austin- clocked a staggering 3:20.79s, obliterating the Carifta Games record of 3:23.51s, set by Guyana in 2024.

Guyana continues to hold both the Carifta Games and Commonwealth Youth Games 4x400m mixed relay records.

Medal Breakdown:

• GOLD– 4x400m Mixed Relay (Tishawn Easton, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover and Malachi Austin)
• GOLD– Tianna Springer (Girls U-20 400m)
• GOLD– Malachi Austin (Boys U-20 400m)
• GOLD– Olivia Solomon (Girls U-17 800m)
• SILVER– Jermaine Shepherd (Boys U-17 1500m)
• BRONZE– Javon Roberts (Boys U-20 1500m)

Several other athletes in Guyana’s 24-member contingent qualified for finals, but did not medal.