In a tangible show of appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices by the Pan Am Games athletes, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Saturday morning presented financial rewards to the three medallists at the 2023 Games in Santiago, Chile.
At the October 20 to November 5 Games, overseas-based athlete Jasmine Abrams copped silver in the Women’s 100m, Emanuel Archibald won bronze in the Men’s 100m and Leslain Baird won a historic bronze medal in the Men’s Javelin event.
Baird’s medal was the first by a Guyanese in a field event at the Pan Am Games since it started in 1959.
He was the lone medallist present at the GOA headquarters at Liliendaal to receive the cash incentive, with Abrams and Archibald overseas.
Baird was given G$400,000 for his bronze medal performance; Archibald will receive same in due course, while Abrams will be given G$600,000. Coach Johnny Gravesande also received G$50,000.
GOA president Godfrey Munroe presents the cash incentives to medallist Leslain Baird (left) and coach Johnny Gravesande
What they did
On his fourth attempt, Baird produced his best throw, a new season best of 78.23m. American Curtis Thompson (79.65m) and Brazilian Henrique Nunes (78.45m) took gold and silver.
Heading into the final as the second-fastest qualifier, Abrams maintained her position in Lane 5 and even challenged for gold until Cuban De La Caridad García (11.36s) pulled away in the final meters.
The Guyanese clocked 11.52s, while Trinidadian Michelle-lee Ayhe (11.53s) got bronze.
Proud Guyanese! Emanuel Archibald and Jasmine Abrams celebrate their success in the 100m finals at the Pan American Games 2023
Archibald made a strong start in Lane 1 and kept with the top two until a close finish, as the Guyanese secured bronze in 10.31s (.310)
Silver went to Brazilian Felipe Bardi, who also had 10.31s (.302), while gold went to Alnardo Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic with 10.30 seconds.
(Click HERE and HERE to read more about Guyana’s performance at the Pan Am Games)
GOA president Godfrey Munroe (left), Assistant Secretary General Emilia Ramdhani (second left) and Secretary General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (right) share a moment with Pan Am Games medallist in the Men’s Javelin, Leslain Baird (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/November 11, 2023)
GOA rewarding performance
This is the second time the Godfrey Munroe-led GOA has rewarded national athletes financially, following their recognition of the Commonwealth Youth Games athletes in early September.
Munroe congratulated the athletes on their performances, noting that the GOA is satisfied with their efforts at the Games.
He urged them to continue to push harder at the upcoming qualifying events in their respective disciplines, with their next aim being the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Munroe added that the GOA is keen on rewarding athletes, and this is just a small gesture that he hopes will grow with the passage of time.
Apart from Baird and Gravesande, boxers Keevin Allicock, Alesha Jackman and Emmanuel Pompey; Table tennis coach Idi Lewis; Physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham; Taekwondo Manager/Coach Ramphal Ramjeet; Badminton player Priyanna Ramdhani; and Weightlifter Krystol Chanderban were physically present at the GOA.
They were joined by the other athletes/officials via a Zoom call.
The general consensus was the Pan Am Games was a great learning experience, and one of the major challenges was adopting to the low temperatures in Chile.
Team Guyana
Archery
Wayne De Abreu
Athletics
Emanuel Archibald – Men’s 100 and 200 Metres
Leslain Baird – Men’s Javelin
Keliza Smith – Women’s 100 Metres
Jasmine Abrams – Women’s 400 Metres
Aliyah Abrams – Women’s 400 metres
Johnny Gravesande – Coach
Badminton
Priyanna Ramdhani – Women’s Singles
Jonathan Mangra – Coach
Boxing
Desmond Amsterdam – Men’s 80kg
Keevin Allicock – Men’s 57kg
Alesha Jackman – Female 66kg
Emmanuel Pompey – Men’s 92kg
Joel Williamson – Men’s 63.5kg
Terrence Poole- Coach
Table Tennis
Shemar Britton – Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles
Chelsea Edghill – Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles
Idi Lewis – Coach
Taekwondo
Ceili Peterson – Women’s Kyorugi -49 Kg
Ramphal Ramjeet – Manager/Coach
Weightlifting
Krystol Chanderban – Women’s 52 KG
Shammah Noel – Men’s 81kg
Sean Cozier – Coach
Swimming
Alika Persaud
Raekwon Noel
Sean Baksh- Coach
Esport
Hemchandra Persaud athlete – Soccer
Shoaib Juman-Yassin Coach/Manager
Physiotherapist
Vanessa Wickham
Chef de Mission
Mr. Deion Nurse
