– Guyana’s Olympic Ambassador Geron Williams is excited about the Beijing
By Ravendra Kishore
Happy and excited was how Geron Williams expressed himself after being identified as one of two youngsters who will be Guyana’s ambassadors at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The other athlete is Alika Morgan.
Williams, who just represented Guyana in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago in the sixth Caribbean Gold Cup cycling meet, said that he had a really good experience although he did not win gold but managed to ride away with silver in the Criterion and two bronze in the Velodrome.
“The competition was stiff since the guys (Trinidadians) had been training on the track in preparation for the races,” said Williams.
The junior rider now has his mind fixed on the Beijing Olympics. While he would not be competing at the Olympics itself, the experience, according to him would be enough for any junior athlete to savour.
Williams,who attend a reception along with Morgan Tuesday night hosted by the Chinese Embassy here, told Stabroek Sport that they were enlightened as to what exactly they will be doing, including the showcasing of Guyana’s culture and other aspects as well as observing the cultural practices of other countries.
Williams added that the selection to be an ambassador was not an automatic one as being a junior champion cyclist was not the only criteria used to select the squad.
In addition, they had to be excellent athletes, academically qualified or a top performer, and exhibit leadership qualities and be in a particular age range.
While he would have loved to be a competitor, the youth champ said that he is still thrilled to be able to be in Beijing and be one of the few Guyanese who would be getting a firsthand look at the Great Wall of China.
While Williams is unsure if he will be taking part in the opening ceremony, he is just happy to be going there and he cannot wait for Sunday when his flight leaves Guyana on the first leg of their trip to the Olympic village.
