Dear Editor,
With reference to an interview on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 on Prime News with Ms Eulene Josiah Tanner on her views about my withdrawal from the South American Championship in Chile, my coach and I were not aware of my selection until February 8, 2014 so due to inadequate preparation we made the decision not to take part. Ms Tanner cannot assess my fitness, because she is not my coach. She has to take a look at her fitness and stop her sequence of collapses in events in Guyana and other countries.
I could have gone to Chile just for the trip, knowing I am not in competition form for track events, but choose not to do this so another athlete can have the opportunity to represent Guyana. Thus far I have been successful in representing my country earning five Carifta medals, four Caricom championships, four Caribbean championships, junior and senior national awards, and 2009 junior and senior awards. No other track and field athlete has done this and much more in Guyana, therefore I know whether I am ready or not for international competition. I can’t recall Ms Tanner ever competing in track events, so she is not aware that the preparation for road races and track races is different. She doesn’t know about track and field. I have participated in numerous events in the USA and other countries that offer non-monetary awards.
Ms Tanner should try to assist the other athletes, which is something I have been doing over the years. I have done Guyana proud. She should remember my win over her in Suriname and Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Alika Morgan
Athlete
