Middle distance track star Marian Burnett is ready to compete intensely at the President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden.
The overseas-based Guyanese disclosed her intentions at a press conference held at Digicel’s head office yesterday.
“Well I’m ready for the competition and looking to put on a show in front of my home fans, especially since the last time they saw me compete was when I was a high school athlete, so look forward for a great show from me,” Burnet stated at the press briefing.
Burnett, who strongly believes in her ability to perform, also gave a bit of an insight into how her preparation was currently going.
“Well I recently started back training and I have been doing some work by myself to get back in tune but now I’m with a coaching group with some girls that are firing in the 800m and I’m just using different tactics to get accustomed to running different race styles,” the middle distance specialist said.
The 36-year-old athlete, who took more than a year off to be with her family and her new born son, is also looking at the track classic as a means to an end as she eyes qualifying for her third possible Olympic berth.
“Well yeah its hard coming back after giving birth but I’m in better shape than before and I know that with a couple of meets I should be good, that’s why I‘m happy to be home and will be giving it my best shot,” Burnett commented.
Stabroek Sport also questioned the world renowned star on whether she thinks that age will play a major factor in qualifying for the Olympics, especially with the young guns of today.
“In athletics age means nothing, once you got it, you got it…it’s all about refocusing and getting back there. I know that with a couple of meets I can make the ‘B’ standard time, so that’s what I’m aiming at for now,” the Linden native stated.
Speaking about what she thought about local talent and track and field in Guyana, Burnett pointed out that the lack of support was a major part of many failures in track and field.
“I was hopeful of running on a proper track in Guyana but the grass is what I’m accustomed to because that’s where I started.
“In Guyana everything is all about support and finances, we have really talented youths here but they are not supported like they are supposed to…everything I did, I did on my own because I love track without the support of the AAG. You got to want it if you want to go far in Guyana,” Burnett said.
CEO of Digicel Gregory Dean was delighted with the participation of Burnett and stated that Linden should be in for a great show.
The President’s/Jefford track classic is set to run off from 11:00hrs Sunday in Linden and is expected to be a crowd pleaser for track lovers.
