Olympic Day activities set for this weekend

Archers practicing last night at the National Gymnasium for Sunday’s competition (Orlando Charles photo)
Archers practicing last night at the National Gymnasium for Sunday’s competition (Orlando Charles photo)

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will collaborate with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to host its annual 10k Team Run and Fun Walk-Jog-Run on Sunday at 6:00hrs. 

According to a release from the GOA, the event starts at the Thomas Lands YMCA, proceeds north on Camp Street to Carifesta Avenue, east on Carifesta Avenue, Clive Lloyd Drive, Rupert Craig Highway to Liliendaal (where Marshals will indicate the turning point), west to Vlissengen Road, south on Vlissengen Road to Thomas Lands and finish at the YMCA.  Teams must comprise four (4) male and two (2) female runners. Prizes will be awarded for the team event. 

Organisations and individuals of the public are all invited to participate.  Registration forms can be obtained at Olympic House or just come on Sunday in your walking or running shoes.

Prizes for the Team Run are: First placed Team – $72,000, Second Team – $48,000, and Third Team – $36,000.  The first four hundred (400) persons to arrive on Sunday morning will receive an Olympic Day 2017 tee shirt.

Other activities being held to commemorate Olympic Day are:

 Badminton: Open male, female and mixed doubles tournament at the National Gymnasium, on June 22nd/7:00-10:00pm and June 23rd/1:00-5:00pm.

Athletics: National Senior Champion-ships at National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, on June 22nd/6:30-10:00pm.

  Weightlifting: Development competition and Fitness Challenge at the Ogle Community Centre, on June 23rd/9:00am.

Rugby: Seven-a-side matches: Senior female; Under-18 Boys; Under-18 Girls at the National Park, on June 23rd/4:00-6:00pm.

Volleyball:  Six-a-side Knockout Competition at Linden on June 24th/11:00am-5:00pm.

Archery: Indoor Target Archery Competition at the National Gymnasium on June 24th, at 2:00pm.

Cycling: Youth cycling programme at the National Park Circuit on June 30th/10:00am.

 Swimming: Splash Fun competition at the Dr Haynes Sports Complex, Amelia’s Ward, Linden on July 1st/11:00am-5:00pm.

Taekwondo: Taekwondo tournament – Poomse and Gyrugi categories at the Guyana Teachers’ Union Hall, on July 8th/12:00-7:00pm.

 Table Tennis: Cadet and Juniors Table Tennis Tournament at the National Gymnasium and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, on  July1-16.

Notes: Olympic Day is celebrated around the world on June 23 of each year; the first World Olympic Day was held in 1948.  In 1978 the celebration of Olympic Day was included in the Olympic Charter – encouraging all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to organize activities which promote the Olympic Movement.  In 1987 forty five (45) NOCs participated in the first Olympic Day 10k runs.